James Ruse Agricultural High School

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Telephone02 9871-7126

Emailjamesruse-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Ruse Farm

It is the continuing teaching of Agriculture that is vital to the future of Australia and at James Ruse; students are challenged to learn about it in the living dynamic context of a farm where they have the opportunity to enhance their learning through a variety of learning styles.

Future Directions

The farm has become a valued resource for all faculties as we aim to embed agriculture within programs across all subject areas.

Four new outdoor classrooms are soon to be created, one near the dam on site, where we have been successful in encouraging a diverse range of native fauna and flora to take up residence.

We would like to expand the production of the James Ruse Rose.

We focus on the addition of new industry standard agricultural technologies each year, in both plant and animal enterprises, to inspire the students creative and critical thinking within automated and engineered design concept areas. 

Native bush tucker species are planted in our Bee Garden where Lilly Pilly berries from the various varieties of Syzygium are harvested by students.

A major rehabilitation program has begun along the creek where an invasive weed Cockspur Coral Tree (Eythrina crista-galli) is being removed in several stages to protect areas currently inhabited by native wood ducks, as well as an abundance of native bird species and reptiles. We incorporate a native tree planting activity into our environmental programs to revegetate the creek bank.

As caretakers of a valuable production area and learning space we ensure the practices implemented on the grounds are sustainable and to current industry standard. As urbanisation continues to surround us on all sides, the need to farm sensitively and efficiently becomes more prominent as each year passes. We see the JR Farm as an important link between the local community and the issues faced by rural Australia in producing food, fibre and shelter for a growing population. We recognise the staff and students who have immersed themselves in Agriculture at Ruse and thank each one for creating the platform for the current staff and students to share the same opportunity.

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