Agriculture

From Junior School to Year 12, NEGS offers hands-on agricultural education that builds critical thinking, STEM skills and a passion for sustainable land and livestock management.

Why Agriculture Matters at NEGS

NEGS is proud to be a leading agriculture school in NSW, offering diverse hands-on learning experiences from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Our Agriculture Program empowers students with practical skills, critical thinking, and leadership qualities essential in the evolving world of agriculture.

With a strong focus on sustainability and responsible practices, students develop foundational and advanced knowledge in animal husbandry, crop production, and land management. As a regional school, NEGS students benefit from close industry partnerships and meaningful exposure to real-world agricultural education.

These experiences not only support academic success but also ignite interest in STEM careers, providing students with pathways into agriculture, science, and engineering.

Real-World Learning in Action

See our students in action as they take part in a Regenerative Agriculture Field Day, a dynamic, hands-on experience that brought together over 100 students from across the region. Events like this bring our Agriculture Program to life, offering students the chance to work alongside industry experts and explore real-world sustainable farming practices in the field.

Exploring Agriculture at Every Stage

NEGS offers one of the most comprehensive agricultural education programs in the region. Below is a closer look at each stage of learning and involvement in our Agriculture and Livestock programs.

Industry Connections & Technology

Our industry connections extend to unique opportunities for practical learning, including mustering, branding, and cattle husbandry. We also integrate the latest technologies, such as drones and automated tools, to improve efficiency and productivity while instilling responsible technology use.

Junior School – Early Foundations

In the Junior School, agricultural experiences are integrated to enhance the NSW curriculum through real-life learning. Students participate in hands-on activities such as weighing chickens and lambs, growing and tending the vegetable plot. These activities connect directly with maths and science, encouraging deeper critical thinking from an early age.

Years 5 – 6 – Inspiring STEM Pathways

In the later years of Junior School, students are introduced to technology-driven agricultural techniques such as tractor-mounted GPS, drone use, and data collection from RFID/EID tags. These examples expose students to modern agricultural innovations and help foster interest in STEM subjects and future careers.

Senior School – Advanced Practice & Partnerships

In the Senior School, agriculture combines classroom learning with hands-on experiences and guidance from industry experts. With strong local partnerships, students broaden their understanding of agricultural systems, hone problem-solving skills, and explore career pathways in STEM, engineering, and the primary industries.

Livestock Team, Facilities & Values

In addition to our curriculum, NEGS offers a thriving Livestock Team through our co-curricular program. Students work with grain-fed stock, participate in prestigious agricultural competitions, and explore topics like animal behaviour, breeding, nutrition, and technology in agriculture.

Academic Highlights at NEGS

Our students are consistently recognised for their skills, dedication, and professionalism across regional and state agricultural shows. Their results speak to the strength of the NEGS program and the commitment of both students and staff. Here are some recent highlights

Wingham Beef Week

Students showcased their skills in livestock handling and presentation:

Champion Heavyweight Steer
Reserve Champion Overall Steer on the Hoof
Both steers were bred by Clifton Cattle Co

Sydney Royal Easter Show – Carcase and Paraders

A strong showing across multiple classes:

Reserve Champion School Steer Carcase
1st in Class – Heavyweight (Class 11)
2nd – Middleweight School Steer (bred by Clifton Cattle Co)
Highly Commended – Open Purebred Steers (Class of 16), bred by Clifton Cattle Co
2nd – Heidi Zwiers (School Parader)
4th – Amelia Miller (F002 Parader)

RAS Youth Show

NEGS students placed across multiple categories:

All students placed in their paraders heats
1st – Junior Judging (Intermediate): Amelia Miller
2nd – Junior Judging (Intermediate): Heidi Zwiers
Grand Champion Junior Judge: Amelia Miller
Aliyah McDonald competed in the State Final for Merino Judging

Armidale Show

A wide range of successes across categories:

Champion School Steer and Open Steer
Numerous student results in Junior Judging, Meat Sheep, Wool, and Vegetable categories
Nine NEGS students participated in Wool and Merino Judging
Students achieved excellent results throughout the day

Walcha Show – Junior Young Women

Jessica Taylor was awarded Junior Young Woman of the Show

Discover Agriculture at NEGS

At NEGS Armidale, we are committed to equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the agricultural industry and make a positive impact in their communities.

Agriculture

Why Agriculture Matters at NEGS

Real-World Learning in Action

Exploring Agriculture at Every Stage

Academic Highlights at NEGS

Wingham Beef Week

Sydney Royal Easter Show – Carcase and Paraders

RAS Youth Show

Armidale Show

Walcha Show – Junior Young Women

Discover Agriculture at NEGS

Explore more at NEGS

Academics

Junior School

Senior School

Boarding School

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