We went to the open evening last night as Geoff said he was interested in what they had to offer, and Wow, were we impressed!!

Here's their site:
http://www.urrbraehs.sa.edu.au/

Obviously their main slant is agriculture but they are also very hot on science and design. Kids there end up working as anything from tractor mechanic to research scientist. And as they can pick and choose their intake from twice as many applications as places available they make sure they take the best candidates. (There's no zone for this school, anyone from SA is eligible to apply.)

There's a farm which we didn't see round where they raise all sorts of animals, clubs eg for pig keeping or bee keeping, and in year 8 all the kids get a veggie patch each to grow things in. There was also something about a 14 week project where they have to bring home a duckling or a mouse or something and raise it.

They maintain their own wetland area, and go canoing on the river through it (right in the city!)

We also looked over an amazing CAD design area sponsored by a dozen or so local firms, some of which send in their designers to help teach - and the kids involved in this are almost guaranteed employment in that field as a result of these contacts.

They don't teach a foreign language, but otherwise they do all the usual core subjects and we noticed that in year 8 they split Maths into ability groups, then in year 9 some other subjects are split like this too.

They regularly enter competitions like the Pedal Prix or Solar Powered Car race.

I've never felt such a buzz at a school meeting before - all the staff we spoke to seemed SO energetic and committed it was really refreshing.

If you're interested in Urrbrae you'll obviously need to think how to get them there from where you live and the child needs an interest in agriculture and ecology etc. You need to get them into year 8, they reckon they only have the odd one drop out during the year in other year levels so there's no real chance of coming in later.

It's a state school, so fees are much the same as other state schools.

This year's application deadline is May 20th, with results of applications known about a month later.

My cousin's daughter goes to this school and they are very impressed with it. She's in her second year there now and wouldn't change. They live in Woodcroft so she buses in.

Hi

I think they have a shop where you can buy fresh produce too!

Jules :)

Missed you.....we were there too.

We did most of the farm visit...we saw, (and smelled!!), sheep, pigs, cattle, bees, fish/yabbies, horses, goats, chickens, and few native things that looked like big rats, but hopped (potaroos I think).
They also have a vitticulture area where they make wine.

I would imagine that if it's clear that the child is suited to a career in agriculture/horticulture etc, (difficult to know at year 8....unless you actually live on a farm), then it would be far and away the best place. Any other career........then I wasn't convinced it would be any better than many of the other schools, in terms of it's facilities/curriculum (no IB program, languages, etc).

Just my thoughts.........


Interesting idea that you could stroke the school pigs in one area, then eat them in another area at the sausage sizzle! (courtesy of the school "pork" club)

We were only there for 6.30 for the talk and classroom tour after. Couldn't get there earlier for the farm tour. Are you going to apply?

...and what's an IB program??

The International Bacchalaureate thingie

Aaah of course... but there's only a couple of schools do that anyway, aren't there?

Hi Elaine,

I know that Banksia Park High School in the North Eastern suburbs participates in this program.

Jet

and Blackwood High (middle years)

The IB is used in quite a lot of both the public and private schools in adelaide. basically an inquiry based system, with the kids judged on criterion. The work of the schools are audited, suprisingly by a place in Cardiff. Mainly used in the Middle years Years 6-10, though some primary schools are also using it. The feeder schools for Blackwood High for example.
If you want to know any more just ask
Bob

Long story but Geoff did get into Urrbrae. 3 weeks into term we're now preparing to keep chooks as his long-term school project over 3 months, also amused that he was doing a bit of welding at school last week :lol: And he's decided to join the beekeeping club.

First impressions are excellent. The school is very much into technology equally with agriculture, so even if he doesn't end up 'in agriculture' then his technological leanings will be well served.