We have been fortunate to work with a number of ex-students from Southland Girls High School who are actively involved in the Agriculture and Agribusiness industry.  They are all giving up their time to let us visit them on their farm. They will show the students their farms, up to date technology, and their career pathway. Students will participate in practical activities where appropriate e.g. body condition scoring. We will also have industry experts coming along to show the business side of farming e.g. bank managers and how they support purchasing and running a farm. Our ex-students have either taken over the family farm or have purchased a farm within the last year or two. The Year 13 Agribusiness girls will be using these farms as case studies for their up-and-coming future proofing 4 credit internal assessment and the agriculture girls will be using these farms to support the work they have done in class.

Students will visit 2 locations, Willow Creek Dairies and Marshburn Farms. At Willow Creek Dairies they will hear about the farming operation and what life on a dairy farm is like and learn about the technology that is being used on the farm.

The students will get to witness in person the cows getting shifted by the Halter technology which will be an awesome experience for them to see. We will then head to Marshburn Farm which is run by Grace Church an old girl of the school. She will get stock into the yards for the girls to see as well as talk to the girls about her journey from Southland Girls to farm ownership. At Marshburn Farm we will hear from Jacqui Chamberlain (an old girl of the school) who is currently running her family farm and heavily involved in the Orauea River Catchment Group. We will also hear from a rural bank manager and local MPI employees.

 Details:

• Time: Meeting at front of school at 8.15am leaving 8.30am sharp
• Date: Wednesday 18^th March
• Return: 3.30pm Back to School
• Transport: Go bus
• Teachers: Mrs Melanie Young and Mrs Vicki Jones
• Meet: Kumagaya Gates at the front of school
• Clothing and Equipment Required: Students are required to wear tidy casual clothing that is warm (layers are ideal and wear a high vis vest whilst we are at the businesses. Gumboots are compulsory footwear requirement on this trip due to the nature of properties we are visiting. The girls are also required to have hair tidied up off their face. In line with school procedures students are not to use their  cellphone during this trip unless directed by their teacher.
• Cost: $15 to cover the bus and the remainder will be covered by the Agriculture and Agribusiness department.
• Please note: School Policy requires payment in full for your child to be eligible to participate in these activities. Payments will be allocated to any unpaid fees and charges on your child’s account first. Please pay by 6 March 2026.
• Venue: Marshburn Farm – 806 Lillburn Valley Road and Willow Creek Dairies – 97 Walker Road Woodlands
• Food: Students will need to bring a packed lunch for the day

Mel Young has a current first aid qualification and will be always carrying a first aid kit. Jon Breach from MPI has worked with both teachers to design a field trip that is hands on, informative, meets the interests of our students, and connects past and present students from Southland Girls. Each student will get the most out of this incredible opportunity.  If for some reason an accident does happen, Mel Young or Vicki Jones will ring the parent immediately and notify the school.

This event contains risks, including slipping on the wet ground while visiting the dairy and sheep and beef farms as well as being around a variety of animals and walking around a working farm.  This event is managed by school staff who will manage risk and hazards according to the school’s safety management plan.  This includes wearing high vis vests at all times and wearing sturdy footwear such as gumboots while we are there. Students are not to be on their phones while we are on site, they need to be aware of the machinery, vehicles and animals within the farm and walk carefully in areas that are slippery and boggy. There will also be a lot of farm staff on site to help manage these risks and our group will receive a health and safety briefing at the start of each site visit, so the girls are aware of what to do in an emergency. While risks can be maintained to acceptable levels they cannot be eliminated.  Some risk is retained for its learning and experiential value.  If you wish to come in to school to see our safety management systems or have any questions, feel free to contact Mel Young at [email protected] or 03 2116030.

It is important for safety reasons that students follow instructions given to them by all staff and follow all appropriate school rules. Behaviour by students that is deemed dangerous and puts themselves and/or others at undue risk will result in your child being picked up by a caregiver and not attending further Year 12 Agriculture and 13 Agribusiness trips this year.

Please pay and complete the permission form below by 6 March 2026.

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Student Information:

The information on this form will remain confidential to the teachers/instructors in charge of/assisting with the camp/trip. However, in the interests of the safety of all involved, any life-threatening conditions may be made known to other students. Please be assured that your child’s physical and emotional well-being always remains of paramount importance to us.

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Y12 and Y13 Ag and Agbiz Trip to Southland Farms

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