12 Wednesday <strong>November</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 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 <strong>Selwyn</strong> 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
SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Wednesday <strong>November</strong> <strong>21</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 13 ellesmere speedway SunDAY 25 TH NOVEMBER SOUTHERN MIDGET SERIES gates open at 12pm for a 1pm start featuring... QUARTER MIDGETS | PRODUCTION SALOONS MOTO X | MIDGETS | C SALOONS SIDE CHAIRS | ADULT MINISTOCKS | TQs www.ellesmerespeedway.co.nz Under 15yrs free $15 per adult gold card holders $10
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