STAR Farm Courses

STAR School Agricultural Courses

Purpose:

A popular choice with schools where a group of students are taken out of the normal school agricultural courses each week for either a half or full day in the STAR Agricultural course. This is an external programme where 100% of the course content is out of the school’s grounds. There are some schools that have opted to have a classroom available and also allow some of the practical STAR farm courses on the school grounds e.g. motorbikes. This creates a lot of interest through the school.

Task Range:

The programmes can be modified to the needs of the school/students.

• More field trips
• Less time away from school
• Academic achievements toward NCEA

STAR Agriculture Courses:

Year One:
General programme focussed on basic farm skills and farm safety

Year Two:
Option 1: Sheep Farming
Option 2: Dairy Farming
Course programmes are able to be developed and adapted to meet the requirements of the school and students.

Timeframe:

There are usually 32 weeks available in the curriculum. Most schools allocate only one day per week but there is a trend towards two-day programmes, particularly for the transition students.

Maximum Student Numbers:

Land Based Training recommends a maximum number of students doing the STAR school agricultural course be 8 - 10 per course. This is to meet health and safety policy requirements and also fits well with van transport to the STAR farm courses practical facilities.

Land Based Training Responsibilities:

1. Supply an industry based tutor.
2. Deliver unit standard associated material and administer assessments.
3. Plan, book all sites and resource requirements.
4. Supply and support moderation policy.
5. Health and safety.

School Responsibilities:

1. Supply the students as required.
2. Supply all student travel arrangements. This cost may be met by the school or added onto the overall fee.
3. Register all NZQA unit standards achieved and cover costs.
4. Supply student transport.