Yanco Agricultural High School is a co-educational, fully residential government high school, specialising in the study of Agriculture. The school provides a high quality secondary education in a historic rural setting. Located in the NSW Riverina, 10 kilometres from Leeton, the school has an anticipated enrolment of 300 in 2020. The school has a proud tradition of promoting positive values and developing confident, capable, community-minded students. The school is a selective government school with a priority given to isolated and rural students. This unique educational institution, established in 1922, provides a broad, well balanced quality education in a rural and historic setting. The school has 280 hectares, including 180 hectares of intensive irrigation and dry land agriculture, as well as 60 hectares of natural bushland bordered by the Murrumbidgee River. With a very large number and variety of schools providing our Year 7 students we have initiated a transition program held late in the previous year to allow that transfer into high school to be both smooth and with reduced stress for both students and families. Year 7 & 8 students commence their education in a middle school with single gender classes, reduced teacher numbers with classes and home rooms fully fitted out with all modern technology. With state-of-the-art resources, farm and hostel, the school provides an education for students in a stimulating and caring environment. The school focuses on the development of the whole person through the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and residential experiences, ensuring that students become well equipped to take their places in society. Over 80% of students successfully enter tertiary studies in a range of areas, whilst others have the skills that enable them to gain apprenticeships or employment in their chosen field. In addition to the study of agriculture in Years 7-12, the school also offers junior and senior courses in Equine Studies, and five Industry Framework VET courses, with Primary Industries a speciality. The Technology and Applied Science area is well resourced providing students with the opportunity to design and produce major works of considerable magnitude. The Hospitality and Engineering Trade Training Centres have further enhanced student opportunities in these areas. Consistently, many of the Year 12 Industrial Technology major projects are acknowledged to be amongst the top in the NSW. The Equine program has access to state of the art facilities including an Olympic standard indoor arena and 40 stables. Students who undertake studies in this area benefit from exposure to involvement in activities which significantly enhance their horsemanship. Students are also able to stable their own horse at the school. Students also have access to an extensive extra-curricular program providing exceptional opportunities and experiences. Agriculture classes utilise the extensive farm facilities and resources available to maximise their learning experiences and develop their skills and knowledge. High profile showstock teams of ovine, beef cattle, equine and poultry travel extensively and provide additional opportunities for students to excel if this is their area of interest. On the school grounds students have access to tennis courts, a gymnasium, swimming pool, 10 hectares of sporting ovals, after-hours library and resource centre, as well as a host of individual and team activities at school and in the local community. Within this environment, students both learn and mature by taking on the responsibilities for their own self discipline and care of others. The school motto is ‘Ut sementem feceris ita metes’ – As you sow, so shall you reap – and all students are encouraged to develop scholarship, citizenship, responsible leadership, personal integrity and sportsmanship. YAHS provides an opportunity for students to achieve excellence in academic, cultural, sporting and civic endeavours, in an environment conducive to learning, teaching and friendship.
Yanco Agricultural High School
