Selwyn Times: November 21, 2018

12 Wednesday November 21 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
ADverTOrIAL
Sustainability key
to organic farming
SCHOOLS
SELWYN TIMES
There’s something for
everyone in the realm of
organic farming but as far
as Bill Martin is concerned,
it’s all about sustainability.
The Training College
Manager at Lincoln
University’s Biological
Husbandry Unit Organics
Trust (BHU) is happy to see
a surge in enthusiasm for
organic food production
as younger generations
become more aware of
environmental concerns.
He says the growing
popularity of organic
production in recent years
means that graduates are
now taking what they have
learned into a broader
range of sectors.
“It’s not just about
growing, wholesaling
and retailing food anymore. They’re
going into schools and teaching primary
and secondary schoolers about the
importance of sustainable farming and
gardening and really starting to embed the
philosophy into the education system.”
As far as conventional agricultural
practices are concerned, he says farmers
should be encouraged to optimise their
production, rather than maximise it at the
expense of the environment.
“We need to change our agricultural
paradigm and re-evaluate our priorities.”
Mr Martin says those interested in a
career in organics should enrol in the
one-year Diploma in Agri-Food Production
course, which is open to students either
with or without university entrance.
Introduced last year, it includes Tikanga
and Mahinga Kai components and can
lead to employment in organic primary
production or other sectors related
to organics, especially education and
hospitality.
“The course offers a good grounding
in the principles of organic agriculture,
teaching the philosophies and histories
of organics and providing practical
knowledge of how they are applied,” Mr
Martin says.
Apply now for the Diploma in Organic
Agri-Food Production and begin studying
in February 2019.
AWARDS: Clearview Primary School’s year 1 to 4 open team won its division in
the Jump Jam South Island regional competition last week weekend. The team
also received five excellence and merit certificates. The school’s year 7 to 8
open team placed fifth in its division. Other Selwyn schools also excelled in the
contest, with Prebbleton School placing fourth in the year 7-8 novice category
and second in the year 4-8 all boys category. Lincoln Primary School gained a
first in the year 4 to 8 all-boys category, a fifth in the year 4 to 6 open and a fifth
in the year 7 to 8 advanced open category. Leeston Consolidated School was
fifth in the year 4 to 6 advanced open category. ​
PERFORMANCE: Lincoln High School year 9 and 10 drama students are
preparing for the show, A Christmas Carol. They will be performing David
Holman’s interpretation of Charles Dickens’ novella which includes all the
well-loved characters and while the play features ghosts, the emphasis is on
family-friendly entertainment. Four shows will be performed on December 10,
at 10am, 1pm, 6pm and 7.30pm. All profits from the shows will be donated to
KidsCan. Tickets can be purchased online at www.trybooking.co.nz/nv for $5
per ticket or email smc@lincoln.school.nz for block bookings of 10 or more at a
discounted rate of $4 per ticket. •More schools, page 15 & 19
Grow a career
in organics
Lincoln University’s Diploma in Organic Agri-Food Production will prepare
you for work in the organic sector or your own garden or smallholdings. It’s
a full-time, one-year programme that covers the theory and practice behind
contemporary organic agri-food production.
Join us in February to find out what growing organically on an agricultural
scale really means.
Learn more at www.lincoln.ac.nz or call 0800 10 60 10.
INTERPRETERS NEEDED
We are recruiting now for our Canterbury Introductory Interpreting
course starting in 01 February 2019. Complete
the course, pass the assessment and become a paid
interpreter with us.
You must be proficient in English and one of the following
languages:
Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Korean,
Mandarin, Nepali, Oromo, Samoan, Somali, Tagalog,
Thai, Tigrinya.
For info about how to enroll, training and working with us
go to our website:
https://interpret.org.nz/become-an-interpreter.html.
Applications Close 11 January 2019
COURSE DATES:
Fridays 6:00 p.m - 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
1 & 2 Feb
15 & 16 Feb
1 & 2 March
15 & 16 March
29 & 30 March
Participants must attend all 5 sessions.
Phone Maria: 027 493 1122
maria.fresia@interpret.org.nz
www.interpret.org.nz
Enrol now: www.interpret.org.nz/become-an-interpreter.html