Their classmates may have been counting down the hours until the final bell rang on Term 3, but some 200 students from 15 different secondary school 'hoof and hook' programs got to spend their days out of the classroom last week.
The students from the Wide Bay Burnett region were in Bundaberg working hard to ensure they showcased themselves and their respective schools in the best possible way, at the annual Wide Bay Interschool Hoof and Hook Competition.
Hosted by Bundaberg Christian College and assisted by Isis District State High School, the competition allowed students involved with handling and showing cattle to showcase their knowledge and skills.
It was also an opportunity to showcase the quality of these Agricultural Pathway Schools following 12 months of preparation.
Chief judge Graeme Wicks, Wondai, has been in the beef industry for over 60 years and was impressed with the quality.
"I'm looking for both the way the cattle are presented and the way the students present themselves," he said.
"But I'm also looking at how well they are able to control the animals and how relaxed they are with the beast."
With three full days of competition, as well as some social time to let off steam and get to know the other competitors, the competition was hailed a great success.
Organiser Bob Hibbard, Head of Faculty for Science and PE at Bundaberg Christian College, shared that he hoped "the students walk away from this week proud of the way they have competed, having enjoyed themselves and maybe seeing their future in this industry".
"I hope that this competition also helps them develop as a person, which is part of what we do in this program at our respective schools," he added.
Results
Champions
- Champion junior handler: Avah Murdoch, Bundaberg Christian College.
- Reserve champion junior handler: Abby Nowland, Kingston State High School.
- Champion junior judge: Madilyn Jessup-Little, Victory Christian College, Gympie.
- Reserve champion junior judge: Kim Fisher, Murgon State High School.
- Grand champion hoof: Chunkette, shown by Proston State School (Class 2 Medium Weight Heifer).
Novice Judges
- Year 7: Addy Smith, Monto SHS
- Year 8: Liam Cullen, Kingaroy SHS
- Year 9: Gabriel Plowman, Bundaberg Christian College
- Year 10: Sally Brierley, Noosa District SHS
- Year 11 and 12: Jacob Laugh, Riverside Christian College, Maryborough.
Novice Handlers
- Year 7: Jessie Evans, Mundubbera State School
- Year 8: Greer Muirhead, Mundubbera State School
- Year 9: Keilan Donnell, Bundaberg Christian College
- Year 10, 11 and 12: Jacob Lough, Riverside Christian College
Experienced Judges
- Year 7: Remy Barron, Kingaroy SHS
- Year 8: Caitie Magee, Murgon SHS
- Year 9: Cooper Mollenhauer, Murgon SHS
- Year 10: Lily Mason, Bundaberg Christian College
Experienced Judges
- Year 7 and 8: Kaitlin Barber, Proston State School
- Year 9: Grace Hughes, Bundaberg Christian College
- Year 10: Kiralee Streeter, Monto SHS
