Bede Polding College wins 2018 UniSchools Steer Challenge

This is the sixth time Bede Polding has won the competition since Western Sydney University began hosting it in 2001.

Twelve schools from around western Sydney competed, including Colo High, Arndell Anglican College and Richmond TAFE.

Each school was given a steer to raise for 100 days, and the teams were judged on their ability to raise, grow and train their calves.

Adjunct Fellow with the university’s School of Science and Health, and organiser of the competition, Stephen Blunden, congratulated the hard work of the schools and all the teachers involved.

"There are unique challenges that go into raising a steer in suburban Sydney so it’s been a great effort from the students involved," said Mr Blunden.

As part of the competition, the skills students had learnt from raising their steer was put to the test at the 'Live day' competition at Hawkesbury Campus on Friday, September 7.

Steers were judged in several categories including steer weight gain, and best presented steer. Students were also judged in the categories of parading and herding.

Bede Polding College was announced as the overall winner for 2018, with Chevalier College and McCarthy Catholic College following close behind.

Colo High School took away awards for the ‘All Ages Judging Teams’ category, and the ‘Senior Champion Parader’ category which was won by student Indiana Hilder. Arndell won the ‘Students Choice (Display)’ category.