MAUNGATAPERE SCHOOL
AGRICULTURE DAY - general overview
Ag Day options are: calves, lambs, goats, dogs, chickens, pets or a contained/fish-bin
garden. There can be only ONE entry per child. Each of these entries must be accompanied
by an A3 sized photo board about the animal or garden project. These will be displayed in
the classrooms.
This year Ag Day is on Saturday the 1st of November. Judging starts at 9.30am. Animal
registration will be near their allocated event rings from 9am. Eg calves registration will be
at the calf event ring.
FISH-BIN GARDEN or similar container. These need to be delivered to
the netball court near the field between 9.00am & 9.30 am. Please do
not stop cars in driveway by court because this causes traffic
blockages.
Fish-bin Garden Fact Sheet will be available from the School Office.
Please choose ONE of the following categories:All gardens need to be planted in a fish-bin or similar size container. The also look good in a
wheelbarrow. It is important that the majority of input is the child’s, from concept, through
to the nurturing of their plants.
Themed – an example is enchanted forest, fairy tale, animal or activity type.
Often colourful annuals are used in this category. Some children like to add cheap plastic
toys to make their gardens come to “life”.
Herbs - (Used for daily cooking, exotic type of herbs, themed country) or to grow healthy,
vigorous everyday herbs that can be used as your addition to the family meal.)
Living Fruit and Vegetables (Edible plants like strawberries, leafy greens, tiny cocktail
tomatoes.) Perhaps try some of the new colourful salad greens to make lovely salads over
summer.
Arid Garden using succulents and cacti (Themes could include desert,
cowboy and Indian range, a dinosaur park, a moon surface or anything else
that your mind desires.) Landscape with rocks and driftwood for dramatic
effects. They like free draining soil/potting mix with one third coarse
pumice is ideal. A rewarding experience with succulents and cacti is that
they are very easy to propagate.
CHICKENS – Brown Shaver breed - These can be purchased through the school. An order
form will come home soon. This is judged on best pet farm bird, best reared
farm bird and child’s knowledge.
Raising Chicken Fact Sheet will be available at the School Office.
There will possibly be a junior, intermediate and senior section, but this will be dependent
on the amount of entries.
PETS: (NO horses or ponies) Children may enter their pets from home
to “show” on the day. These must be bought to Ag Day in a cage, with
water and shelter from the sun/rain. There are no ribbons or trophies for
this event, as pets have not been trained for Ag Day.
Calves, lambs, kids (goats), dogs – Children are to be tidily dressed and wear closed toe
shoes - NO gumboots. They can score more points for this.
Judged on Calling (Not Calves), Leading and Rearing (Animal health and child’s
knowledge of their animal).
There is also a beef & dairy type section for calves.
A Booklet is available from the School Office to help you understand
your animal and what kind of questions the judges may ask you.
A helpful website to look at, which will answer any questions you, may have: www.calfclub.co.nz
Dogs: If you are bringing a dog to school PLEASE respect our Ag day rules
for dogs. Otherwise choose from one of the other options available.
Dogs must be leashed, under control and are to stay in the dog
zone at all times. Dogs are not permitted in classrooms.
Dogs must have been trained in leading & calling by the child entering it.
Dogs must be vaccinated.
Dogs are NOT permitted near the other competing animals, as this may put
them off competing well.
Dads Cake contest
These are to be baked and iced by dad only!
BEST DECORATED CHOCOLATE CAKE
Judged on the “look” of the Cake.
BEST TASTING CHOCOLATE CAKE
The title says it all!
There’s the TROPHY to take home too!
Dads cakes are to be taken to the hall on the morning of Ag Day where your name will be
registered to a number. Your number only will appear next to your cake. The other cakes
will be auctioned off via a silent auction which will run in the hall throughout the day once
judging has finished. The winners of the silent auctions will be announced at prize giving.
Please do not remove your cake from the hall.
Food Tent:
There will be a food tent selling food and drinks throughout the day.
This is organised by parents of senior children who will be attending
camp the following year. All money raised goes towards reducing your
camp fees. Parents of children attending camp are expected to help
out for a short period throughout the day. All families are asked to provide baking or sweet
treats of some form to be sold at the tent. These can be bought to school and left in the
staffroom the day before or on the morning of Ag day.
CENTRAL DAY: We encourage ALL children that have a calf, lamb or goat at our Ag Day to
go to Central Day too (even if you didn’t get a ribbon or trophy). Parents need to bring
children to Barge Park or arrange to car pool with another parent. Go straight to Barge Park
on the day. There is no need to meet at school before Central Day. But you must let the
school office know that your child is attending Central Day.
Central Day at Barge Park will be on Thursday 6th November this year.
All pupils with calves, lambs or goats are able to go whether they have won a ribbon or not
at our Ag.Day. This is another chance to show your animal and win more ribbons and
trophies. There are School Team entries also. A notice will come home about this closer to
the time.
Agriculture Day is a great day to look forward to.
Hard work for all involved in animals etc… but well worth it!!
Should you have any queries, please contact Joanne King at the school office.