Ngaere gears up for Agrikids competition

15th July 2010

TWO teams from Ngaere School have qualified for the Agrikids national final to be held in Gore next year.
Agrikids is a farm based knowledge competition for kids based on the annual National Young Farmers Competition. Last year Ngaere School entered Agrikids and made the national finals; this year the kids want to improve on their 2009 placing of 8th nationally.
Some of the activities that the teams may encounter include electric fencing, setting up a shearing hand piece, first aid, assembling and swinging a gate, general knowledge quiz and sheep dog whistle skills. 
On the Saturday night they will attend the National Young Farmer Gala Dinner where the Young Farmer of the Year will be televised and announced.
The two teams going are the Ngaere Ferdinands, made up of Dean Coplestone, Danielle Christianson, Tyler Hasler and the other the Ngaere Nakiz, made up of Holly Coplestone, Nina Downer and Jorgyn Coplestone. Dean Coplestone is also entered in the individual competition. 
The coach is Dave Dent and the team manager is Jonni Coplestone
It is costly to send the teams to Gore so over the past few months the kids and parents have been frantically fundraising. There have been car washes, sausage sizzle, discos and raffles; several businesses have also donated money and goods for which the school is extremely grateful.