PIA Term One Wrap Up

March

Apple Picking

L2 PIA have started their fundraising efforts for the year with a spot of apple picking at Turleys. Massive thank you to Turleys Farms for supporting us and to Barkers who are using the juice in their products. We are very fortunate to have such fabulous community support.

2nd March - Future Farmers

Level 1 PIA organised, ran and judged the Primary Schools Future Farmers competition at the A&P Show on Saturday. A record 32 teams of 3 competed in a number of activities including: stropping a trailer, duck shooting, electric fencing, building cow stomachs, building a gate, feeding a dog etc. It was super hot and the PIA team were organised, well mannered and smiling. They worked extremely hard to make the day fabulous for all our competitors and made us proud to work with such amazing teenagers. Well done.

5th March - Chainsaws

Level 2 PIA students spent yesterday on the Chainsaws learning cutting techniques, safety and maintenance. Students now head away to practice and log cutting hours before assessment next term.

13th March - Fencing

Level 2 PIA students had a big day last week for the first fencing training day. Students replaced some pivot crossing posts, put up a 4 wire boundary fence and then spent the rest of the day in a training session for the up coming Young Farmer adult fencing comp. A big day finishing at 6pm but time well spent. Thank you to the Marriotts and Dairy Holdings for supplying the venue and tutors Quinn & Greig.

20th March - Tractors

L2 PIA have been out at Agrilearn for their Tractor Training this week

20th March - Christchurch Visit

Not a bad day yesterday for L1 PIA who had their annual visit to CHCH although it was v windy which made the PGG visit a bit of a challenge. We visited the Lincoln Uni organics unit and then moved over to the PGG Kimihia research facility. It was great to see ex PIA students Lydia Rae and Aidan Christie and have them show us around Lincoln uni. A spot of golf, playing rugby under the Old Eden Park goalposts and picking sweet corn were highlights.

21st March - Rural Hero of the Week

Ms Sarah Foley-Smith AKA Team Leader was named Rural Hero of the Week in The Rural Round Up

23rd & 24th March - Young Farmer Fencing Final

What an INCREDIBLE weekend PIA had. Lachie & Tom B were first in the Gold Pine Aorangi Regional Young Farmer fencing final!! Jackson & Tom C were second, followed by Cullen and Josh in fourth. Fantastic results for our students who competed against seasoned adults.Massive thank you to Goldpine for making the competition possible and PIA sponsors Stihl Shop Timaru, Strainrite Fencing, Point Lumber & Fonterra.This was an awesome result with our judge commenting that the boys showed an outstanding attitude and skill set for such young competitors. Each team had its challenges on the day competing in a high pressure adult environment for the first time, but they were able to step up and keep calm.Ahead of us we have the MacKenzie Show fencing competition, Silver staples U21 Cadet NZ final at Mystery Creek in June, the Young Farmer National Fencing Final in July and a whole lot of practice and fundraising in between.

25th March - Tree Planting

L2 PIA spent last Monday afternoon planting trees for a local Synlait farm. Around 800 trees in a couple of hours which was not a bad effort and added some much needed funds towards our up coming events. Massive thank you to Stuart & Sara Russell for giving us this opportunity.

1st April - Point Lumber Secondary Schools Fencing

Super proud. What a day at the Point Lumber Secondary Schools Fencing yesterday. Huge mahi by our competitors being brave enough to perform in front of the farming community. I thought it would go ok but never expected the crowd watching or the numerous positive comments from spectators around how awesome to see such capable teenagers out there doing it. 

Huge thank you to Andy from Point Lumber who were such generous sponsors and our fabulous judges: Struan Moore from Strainrite who always makes such an effort to support us and ex PIA students Bryn Chisholm & Quinn Foley-Smith. Also thank you to Lydia Rae and Quinn who both gave considerable time in helping to organise the competition plan and set up.
Finally congratulations to our inaugural Point Lumber champions:
First Lachie O'Connell & Tom Batty GHS
Second Emily Geary & Lachlan Hurst MacKenzie College (Honorary PIA)
Third Josh Isherwood & Conor Foley-Smith (GHS)

Our Strainrite Termination knot challenge was popular with students & spectators with PIA once again doing us proud
First Lachie O’Connell
Second Josh Isherwood
Third Jackson Marriott

Special mention to our Year 11 students, Hayley Pidgeon & Koby McNamee, and Cullen Bolt & Cayden Howell for performing far outside their comfort zone in entering a competition after fencing for just 8 weeks. Superstars in the making!

1st April - Country Kids Competition

Level 1 PIA gave up their time on Easter Monday to design and run the modules for the Country Kids competition at the MacKenzie Show. Activities ranged from a Farmers Feud game show, how to recycle, playdough stomachs, obstacle course, electric fencing to playing with a leaf blower. What's not to love? Massive thank you to our fabulous students for giving up their holiday and to Timaru Girls Teen Ag club for helping on the day.

Congratulations to GHS students Adele Stack, Pippa McKay & Justina Courage who took out the Country Kids competition