Each Spring, our Class 9 students embark on a two week adventure, to work and live on a farm environment.

The aim of the Farm Experience Main Lesson is for students to learn new knowledge and skills, ideally by being involved in physical work within the context of an environmentally sustainable approach to agriculture, preferably based on organic or biodynamic principles. In addition, this experience provides the students with the opportunity to experience another household and explore the seasonal and daily rhythms of the rural environs.

Next month, our current Class 9 students will be travelling around the country. Students are usually placed at a farm in pairs so it is also an opportunity for them to get to know a classmate in a different context, really, really well!! At the farm, they are given a variety of work, which is unpaid, for up to 5-7 hours each day.

Back at school, the work is picked up during the Main Lesson time for the last week of Term 3 and culminates in a presentation to Class 9 family and friends.

Year after year, we recognise the value of this programme.   Students are challenged with the task of actively 'giving it a go' by adopting a willing and open attitude at the farms - asking questions, helping others, listening and following instructions all provide Class 9 students with valuable real-life learning.  

New Farm Placements

We are on the look-out for new farm placement opportunities for 2022. Do you have a possible farm placement? Do you have relatives or friends who have a farm? We would love to hear from you! Please contact Sarah sarah.g@raphaelhouse.school.nz