Rotary Club supports farm improvements with £2000 donation

11th January 2017J Godbolt

On Monday 9 January, Oathall students along with Headteacher, Mr Edward Rodriguez and Chair of Governors, Mrs Rowena Chalk were delighted to be presented with a cheque for £2000 from the Rotary Club of Cuckfield and Lindfield.

Over 50 students who attend the Oathall Young Farmers’ Club turned up to receive the cheque from Rotary Club president, Mr Jaime Wallden and vice-president, Mrs Karen Looker.  Also present from the rotary club were Mr Chris Jupp, chairman of youth activities and past president, Mr John Davey. The Rotary Club are long-standing supporters of the school and the farm.

Speaking at the presentation, Mr John Davey said to the students,

The farm at Oathall is a very special resource and as students at this school you are given an exceptional opportunity to get involved with the farm and its activities. You will find that when you leave Oathall this gives you a unique experience which you can use in your future studies and careers.

Head of farm Mr John Blackholly, said

We are so grateful to the Rotary Club for this donation. The money will be used to improve the natural environment for our animals with better outdoor housing and fencing. Every year, we have visits from a wide range of community groups, this donation will also be used to improve the accessibility and environment for our visitors and so benefit the wider community.

Everyone’s a winner!

17th June 2016J Godbolt

It’s been a fortnight of competitions for staff and students at Oathall – with winners all round.

Over 50 students from Oathall took part in the 2016 South of England show. Our Students showed our  Ayrshire cattle with great professionalism taking a fourth and a fifth place. We also showed commercial pigs on behalf of Andrew Strong gaining two first places. And, as in previous years, students gave their support to the show by carrying the breed boards for the cattle parade in the main arena. (more…)

Farm Open Day success

25th May 2016J Godbolt

This year’s Farm Open day was a huge success! The weather was fine and we welcomed 100’s of visitors from the local community to the farm.

Our students were on hand to explain and answer questions about the farm and livestock care as well as being integral in the event organisation. Visitors got the opportunity to get up close to see farming practices in action.  Alan Kensett gave sheep shearing demonstrations. Students helped visitors hand-feed orphan lambs. And, of course, our youngest visitors were able to sit in our tractor driving seat, always one of our most popular activities.

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Lambing Day 2015

20th April 2015J Godbolt

Yesterday, the sun shone on a wonderful lambing day down on the farm. Our students engaged with our local community providing explanations about the farm and lambing in particular. Lots of our visitors were given a great opportunity to handle the lambs and to get a real hands-on farming experience. Don’t forget, if you missed lambing day there’s still an opportunity to see the farm in action at our annual farm open day on Sunday 17 May.

 

 

Award for a lifetime in teaching

8th July 2014J Godbolt

Howard Wood, won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual TES School’s Awards on Friday 4 July.

“A man of great gentleness but with a powerful belief in the children in his care” is how one person who has worked with Howard Wood describes him. Others call him “outstanding”, “exceptional” and “selfless”, but the word that crops up more than any other is “dedicated”.

Mr Wood with his family at the award ceremony in London on Friday.

Mr Wood with his wife Mary and daughter Sarah at the award ceremony in London on Friday.

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…Breaking News…

4th July 2014J Godbolt

Mr Howard Wood has been awarded the TES Schools Award for Lifetime achievement at a gala luncheon ceremony held today at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London.

Warmest congratulations to Mr Wood for this well-deserved award from all of the school community.

Mr Wood 'Woody' and Headteacher, Mr Rodriguez at the award ceremony today.

Mr Wood ‘Woody’ and Headteacher, Mr Rodriguez at the award ceremony today.

 

Brand new tractor!

2nd July 2014J Godbolt
Howard Wood and students take delivery of the new Massey Ferguson tractor.

Howard Wood and students take delivery of the new Massey Ferguson tractor.

The farm unit is now the proud owner of a new 75hp Massey Ferguson MF 5410 tractor. The tractor has been purchased as a result of generous donations made by farm sponsors and benefactors and replaces the 24 year old tractor that the college used on a daily basis.

Howard Wood, Head of the Farm, said
“We use a tractor regularly for typical farm operations and without it we would struggle to provide the farm educational facilities that we offer to students. Our old tractor had been a real workhorse for the farm but had come to the end of its useful life as a machine that could be used on a school farm. So we are very lucky and thankful for all the support and donations from our friends and sponsors from the farming community allowing us to make this much needed purchase.”

We are grateful to all of the following sponsors and benefactors who helped us to raise funds for the tractor.

Greenwood Trust
NFU West Sussex Old Scheme Funds
Garfield Weston Foundation
Coin Co International PLC
Educational Trust Fund of the West Sussex Branch of the NFU
Hurstpierpoint Ploughing Society
Mrs Maggie Chamberlain

An update from the farm

18th March 2014Oathall
Here's one of our new additions

Here’s one of our new additions

Spring is an exciting time on the farm with lambs coming into the world round the clock.  Rotas of sleep-deprived students are carrying out late night or early morning vigils – as of Monday 17 March we have welcomed 27 new lambs!

A new Sussex X Ayrshire heifer calf called Holly has joined the Oathall family and new piglets are expected very soon.

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New arrivals at Oathall Farm mark the start of spring

10th March 2014Oathall
Lambs born at Oathall Farm

Lambs born at Oathall Farm

Spring arrived at Oathall Farm this weekend with the exciting delivery of three newborn lambs.

First to arrive was a ram before there was double trouble this morning in the shape of twins. Two of our students, Tommy Scott and Jake Scovell, were on hand with some much needed assistance, especially with the breach birth of one of the twins.

The lambs’ arrival this weekend gives them a couple of weeks to get used to their surroundings before they are the stars of the show at our Lambing Day on Sunday, March 30. The farm will be open from 12pm-4pm and entrance is free.

Check out the photos – and lots more from the farm – on our Flickr page.