Kade King: Storylines School Based Apprentice Traineeship – Animal Studies.
Introducing Myself
- I am a Year 12 student at Vincentia High School
- In Year 10 I started a School Based Apprenticeship Traineeship
- Work at Nicolstoke farm 2 days a week
- Studied a Certificate 2 in Animal Studies with TAFE NSW
- In the future I am planning to study at Charles Sturt University to gain a Masters of Veterinary Science specialising in cattle
My Story So Far
How I started my Storylines SBAT:
- I was disengaged at school and by being at the farm every Thursday, it broke up my school week and gave me a practical outlet
- I was already working in the cattle industry at Nicolstoke farm as a volunteer
- I enjoyed the work and I got paid for learning
What my Storylines SBAT Involved
- Working at Nicolstoke farm 2 days a week
- Going to TAFE once a week
- Continuing my studies at High School
Benefits of my Storylines SBAT
- Enables me to make a connection between what I am learning on the farm and link it back to the classroom (eg. biology and cattle gut health)
- Helped me engage more in my school studies
- Opportunity to gain a TAFE qualification as well as Year 12 certificate and an ATAR
- Gain real world experience working in the cattle industry
- Opportunity to network and develop connections within the cattle industry ( Stuart Glover – Lecturer of Veterinary Science at Sydney Uni at Canberra Royal)
Day in the Life at Nicolstoke Farm
- Part of the team in managing the day-to-day operation of the farm
- Management and feeding of the animals
- Artificial Insemination program for genetic diversity
- Project-based work, eg. Feedlotting steers
- Developing an array of skills, eg. Tractor driving and maintenance, construction of a metal roof and solar lighting over the crush, operation and use of various tools
Leadership Development Skills
- Due to my success in the 2020 South Coast Beef School Steer Spectacular I was asked to provide a leadership/mentoring role for students from the Agricultural course at Ulladulla High School
- Representative of the South Coast Beef Producers Association at Shows and events
- Worked with the Australian Parents Council to produce a video aimed at parents to highlight the opportunities that VET offers students
it out!!!