COLO High School in North Richmond demonstrated its agricultural prowess, winning third place in the overall competitions in Western Sydney University’s annual UniSchools Steer Challenge.
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The UniSchools ceremony took place at the university’s Hawkesbury campus on September 4.
Xavier College in Llandilo was the champion and Macarthur Anglican School in Cobbitty came second.
This year’s competition began in May, with students from years 7 to 12 tasked with caring for Hereford steers, which were allocated to each school by ballot.
Colo High’s head teacher of agriculture Luciano Mesiti said his students had worked hard to achieve their place in the overall competition.
‘‘They prepared the steer well, including training in parading it,’’ Mr Mesiti said.
‘‘They also scored well in beef appraisal, where students have to judge the amount and quality of meat from looking at a group of cattle.
‘‘We also did well with parading the cattle, which maximises the ability of judges to view the animals.’’
He said this followed Colo High’s other triumphs at the Penrith Show Schools competition on August 29-30.
‘‘We did well there too; being named champion cattle paraders, champions in the rural olympics and champions in the poultry judging teams,’’ Mr Mesiti said.
The UniSchools Steer Challenge began in 2000 with a few schools participating, but since then it has grown to include many more schools.
More students who have participated have gone on to study agriculture at university and some have found work within the industry.
WSU’s science and health lecturer Stephen Blunden said it was a good way to engage students in agriculture.
‘‘Students are responsible for the feeding and welfare of the steer, picking up valuable skills in animal care and cattle management in the process,’’ Mr Blunden said.
‘‘The challenge has proven to be a great learning opportunity in communication and personal development.’’
Mr Mesiti said it reaffirmed Colo High’s place as a school of agricultural excellence and a designated lighthouse school, which plays a major part in the state’s agricultural curriculum.
He also said it reaffirmed the importance of agriculture in today’s world.
‘‘Part of our role is to strengthen agriculture in the community and maybe more of our students will see it as a career when they leave school,’’ Mr Mesiti said.
‘‘I think it comes down to more government support for agricultural education and more awareness in society of where our food comes from and how vital it is to our health and wellbeing.’’
