Agriculture
Agriculture is at the heart of Hurlstone, giving students the chance to learn in ways no other selective school can offer.
Our Agriculture Faculty supports students to build a deep understanding of both plant and animal enterprises, alongside the modern sciences and technologies that drive agricultural innovation.
Through our “Paddock to Plate” approach, students connect the science of food production to real-world consumption, gaining practical experience across our 90-hectare campus and purpose-built Farm Hub. A large proportion of course time is dedicated to hands-on learning, where students work directly with livestock, crops, and agricultural systems.
Agriculture is studied by all students from Years 7–10, with opportunities to specialise further through Preliminary and HSC Agriculture in the senior years. These pathways combine rigorous academic study with authentic, practical experiences, preparing students for success at university, in industry, and as future leaders in Australian agriculture.
Teaching and Learning
Below you’ll find an overview of the Agriculture units studied from Year 7 to Year 12, showcasing how students build knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience across plant, animal, and agricultural systems.
Year 7 Agriculture
In Year 7, students are introduced to the foundations of agricultural learning at Hurlstone. The year begins with an Introduction to Agriculture, where students explore the role of agriculture in society and develop safe, responsible practices for working on the farm. They then study Vegetable Production, learning cultivation techniques and sustainable approaches to growing food from soil to harvest. Finally, in Poultry Production, students gain hands-on experience in caring for chickens, applying animal husbandry skills and exploring ethical food production. Together, these units give students their first taste of both plant and animal systems while building the practical skills and confidence to succeed in Agriculture.
Introduction to Agriculture
This foundation unit introduces students to the importance of agriculture in Australia and its role in global food security. Students explore where their food comes from, investigate key plant and animal systems, and begin developing the practical skills that underpin their agricultural learning at Hurlstone. With a strong focus on safety and responsibility, students gain confidence working in farm environments while learning how high expectations, care, and sustainability guide all agricultural practice.
The Vegetable Production
In this unit, students learn the full cycle of vegetable production, from soil preparation and planting to harvest and consumption. Practical activities in Hurlstone’s horticulture resources and gardens build skills in cultivation techniques while emphasising sustainable farming practices such as soil health, water use, and pest management. Students work collaboratively, applying their knowledge to real crops and developing an appreciation for the role of horticulture in food security and agricultural innovation.
Poultry Production
This unit introduces students to the five key stages of chicken production: breeding, hatching, raising, management, and marketing. By engaging in hands-on activities and caring for live chickens, students connect theory with practice, developing skills in animal husbandry, conducting experiments, and using digital tools to record and share their findings. A strong focus on ethical and sustainable practices ensures students learn to manage poultry responsibly while considering both animal welfare and industry standards.
Year 8 Agriculture
In Year 8, students build on their foundation knowledge through a year-long study of agricultural systems, technologies, and animal care. They explore Aboriginal perspectives on farming, gaining respect for traditional land management practices and their relevance today. Practical learning continues through hydroponic vegetable production, where students grow crops from seedling to harvest, and in the Tractor and Knots unit, which develops safe machinery operation and essential farm skills. Students extend their livestock knowledge with Sheep Husbandry and Poultry Management, focusing on safe handling, animal welfare, and sustainable food production. Together, these experiences give students a broader understanding of agriculture while building the practical confidence to work responsibly on the farm.
Aboriginal Perspectives on Farming
In this unit, students explore Australian agriculture through the lens of Aboriginal land management and cultural knowledge. They learn how First Nations peoples have sustainably cared for Country for tens of thousands of years, using practices such as fire-stick farming, aquaculture, and native plant cultivation. By comparing traditional knowledge with contemporary agriculture, students develop respect for Aboriginal perspectives while recognising their ongoing importance in shaping sustainable futures.
Hydroponics
In this unit, students develop practical skills in growing and harvesting a variety of vegetables using hydroponic systems. From seedling to harvest, they take responsibility for managing crops in Hurlstone’s purpose-built hydroponic facilities. With most of the course dedicated to hands-on work, students gain an understanding of sustainable food production, innovative technologies, and the role of hydroponics in meeting future agricultural challenges.
Tractor and Knots
This unit introduces students to the essential skills of machinery operation and farm safety. Under supervision, students learn to drive the school tractor through a controlled obstacle course, practising safe handling and basic driving techniques. They also develop practical skills in tying a range of knots used in agriculture, building confidence and responsibility in working with equipment and farm environments.
Sheep Husbandry
In this unit, students develop the fundamental skills of handling and caring for sheep within a safe and supportive environment. They learn how to recognise early signs of distress or ill health, gaining an understanding of animal behaviour and welfare. Practical activities in the yards build confidence, responsibility, and respect for livestock, while highlighting the importance of ethical and sustainable animal management in Australian agriculture.
Poultry Management
This unit builds student skills in caring for and monitoring poultry, with a strong emphasis on safe and ethical handling. Most of this unit is spent in practical activities, where students take responsibility for feeding, housing, and observing poultry health and behaviour. These experiences strengthen understanding of animal welfare and highlight the role of poultry in sustainable food production systems.
Year 9 Agriculture
In Year 9, students deepen their agricultural knowledge through a focus on technology, animal production, and scientific investigation. They begin with Ag Tech Fundamentals, exploring how digital tools, robotics, and data systems are transforming farming. In Principles of Experimental Design, students conduct feed trials, collect data, and analyse results, building research and problem-solving skills. Pig Production and Pasture and Prime Lamb Production give students hands-on experience in livestock care, biosecurity, nutrition, and marketing, while encouraging critical reflection on welfare and sustainability. The year concludes with Lamb Plan, where students apply genetics, breeding principles, and data analysis to improve sheep production. Together, these units connect practical farm skills with real-world industry practices, while highlighting the role of science, engineering, and medicine in shaping the future of agriculture.
Ag Technology Fundamentals – Farms of the Future
In this unit, students investigate the emerging technologies that are reshaping modern agriculture and primary industries. They explore digital farm management tools, robotics, sensors, and data-driven systems, applying these innovations to real production challenges. Through hands-on problem-solving, students learn how technology can improve efficiency, sustainability, and decision-making on farms. The unit also introduces pathways into agricultural technology careers, inspiring students to see themselves as part of the future of farming.
Principles of Experimental Design
This unit introduces students to the principles of designing and conducting agricultural experiments. Students plan and carry out a feed trial, manually collect and record data, and analyse their results to draw evidence-based conclusions. By writing an accompanying report, they build skills in experimental design, data handling, and scientific communication. These experiences mirror real-world practices in agriculture and link directly to the broader fields of science, engineering, and medicine, where experimental design underpins innovation, problem-solving, and improved outcomes.
Pig Production
In this unit, students explore the pig industry in Australia, examining different breeds and their roles in food production. They investigate biosecurity measures, nutrition requirements across growth stages, and how these factors affect productivity and efficiency on farms. Students research and compare housing designs, critically evaluating the ethics of systems such as farrowing stalls and sow stalls. Through this work, they develop practical knowledge of animal husbandry while building analytical and problem-solving skills that connect to real-world challenges in a range of fields.
Pasture Sheep and Prime Lamb Production
In this unit, students investigate responsible management practices for sheep production, with a focus on prime lamb enterprises. They study sheep physiology and behaviour, learning to identify animal needs and recognise early signs of distress or illness. Through practical handling sessions, students develop skills in safe and ethical livestock management. The unit also explores how pasture quality underpins flock health and productivity, linking grazing systems to the production of high-quality lamb. Students extend their learning by examining marketing principles and applying agricultural technologies to monitor and improve on-farm performance. These experiences connect classroom knowledge to real-world industry practice while building transferable skills in observation, analysis, and ethical decision-making that apply across scientific fields and medicine.
Lamb Plan
In this capstone unit, students apply genetics, livestock management, and agricultural science to improve sheep production. They explore the principles of breeding, genetic improvement, and data interpretation, using real performance data to make evidence-based decisions. Practical activities connect theory to the handling and management of sheep, giving students first-hand experience in how selective breeding drives productivity and sustainability in the industry. This unit highlights the role of genetics and data science in agriculture while linking to broader applications in science, engineering, and medicine.
Year 10 Agriculture
In Year 10, students expand their agricultural learning by exploring both the big picture of industry and the practical realities of farming systems. In Farm Product Study, they examine how agricultural products are produced, processed, and marketed across sectors such as beef, dairy, wool, and viticulture. The Farm Case Study brings the focus back to Hurlstone, where students investigate the school farm as an integrated system and use technologies such as drones to map and monitor operations. In Pathways in Agriculture, students discover the wide variety of careers available in the sector, recognising agriculture as a dynamic field that connects with science, business, engineering, and sustainability. Finally, in Cropping Systems, students gain hands-on experience in plant production by preparing and managing a summer crop. Together, these units connect practical farming skills with industry knowledge and future career pathways, preparing students for senior study and the wider agricultural world.
Farm Product Study
In this unit, students explore how farm products move from paddock to market, examining the full chain of production, processing, and marketing. Through case studies in beef, broilers, dairy, prime lambs, viticulture, wheat, and wool, they investigate how quality and quantity are measured and managed across the industry. Students develop skills in analysing market demands, evaluating production systems, and considering how innovation and sustainability influence both profitability and consumer expectations. This unit connects agricultural learning with real-world industry practice while reinforcing critical thinking and communication skills valued across science, engineering, and business.
Farm Case Study
In this unit, students investigate the Hurlstone farm as a complete production system, examining how its enterprises operate and interact. They analyse the integration of livestock, cropping, and resource management, building an understanding of the farm as a dynamic whole. Students also explore how technology is transforming agriculture, using tools such as drones to map and monitor the school farm. This hands-on learning develops skills in observation, analysis, and digital mapping while connecting theory to practical decision-making in modern farming.
Careers in Agriculture: More Than Farming, A Future Without Limits
This unit introduces students to the wide variety of careers available in the agricultural sector, highlighting how agriculture extends far beyond farming. Students explore how their strengths, values, and interests can align with pathways in areas such as science, business, engineering, technology, and sustainability. They discover that agriculture is an applied science that connects with many other disciplines and underpins industries vital to Australia and the world. By recognising agriculture as a dynamic, practical, and innovative field, students are encouraged to see it as a foundation for future study and lifelong career opportunities.
Cropping Systems and Potatoes
In this unit, students learn the principles of plant production through the hands-on process of raising crops, including potatoes. They investigate the challenges and problem-solving involved in managing plant growth, from soil preparation and planting through to care and harvest. Practical work focuses on preparing and managing a summer crop, giving students direct experience in crop management cycles. Along the way, they build an understanding of sustainability, resource use, and the role of cropping in feeding communities and supporting agricultural industries.
Year 11 Preliminary HSC Agriculture
In the Preliminary HSC year, students build a comprehensive understanding of agriculture by studying the farm as an interconnected system of plants, animals, resources, microbes, and management practices. Through the Overview unit, they establish the foundations of agricultural systems thinking, before applying this knowledge in Experimental Design, where they design and conduct trials with live animals. In Animal Production and Plant Production, students investigate commercial enterprises in livestock and cropping, linking practical skills with the scientific, ethical, and economic factors that drive industry success. The Farm Case Study brings these elements together, with students analysing the Hurlstone farm as a dynamic whole, using modern technologies such as drones and sensors to monitor and improve operations. Across the year, students develop scientific research skills, practical competence, and an appreciation of the role agriculture plays in food security, sustainability, and innovation in Australia and beyond.
Overview
This introductory unit examines the farm as an interconnected system where plants, animals, microbes, resources, and management practices interact. Students explore the key factors that influence agricultural enterprises, from environmental conditions to economic, technological, and social drivers. By understanding how these subsystems connect, students develop the knowledge needed to analyse and improve farming practices. These foundations link directly to real-world applications in agriculture, science, sustainability, and engineering, preparing students for further study and careers that shape the future of food and fibre production.
Experimental Design
In this unit, students design and conduct an animal trial using day-old chicks, investigating growth over seven weeks under two different feed types. They collect, record, and analyse data to evaluate how nutrition impacts animal performance, building practical research skills in animal husbandry and trial design. Ethical considerations and animal welfare are emphasised throughout, ensuring students apply safe, responsible, and humane practices. The experience develops scientific thinking, data interpretation, and communication skills that link directly to industry practices and broader applications in science, veterinary medicine, and agricultural research.
Animal Production
In this unit, students focus on the Hurlstone Dairy to explore animal production within a commercial context. They analyse how animals interact with plants, climate, resources, and microbes or pests, building a systems-based understanding of farming environments. Practical activities emphasise safe, responsible, and ethical handling of livestock, with all work conducted in line with the Animal Research Act 1985 and the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. The dairy also provides a real-world link to one of Australia’s most significant agricultural industries, highlighting its contribution to food security, the economy, and ongoing innovation. Through this study, students connect classroom learning with industry standards, sustainability, and the broader scientific principles that shape modern agriculture.
Farm Case Study
In this unit, students investigate the Hurlstone farm as an integrated production system, examining how enterprises interact with plants, animals, microbes, resources, and management practices. They explore the interdependence of subsystems and how decisions in one area influence outcomes across the farm as a whole. Modern technologies such as drones, sensors, and digital mapping are used to monitor and analyse farm operations, giving students practical experience with tools shaping the future of agriculture. By applying systems thinking, students learn to evaluate strategies for improving efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. This case study connects classroom learning directly to the management of a working farm, mirroring the challenges and opportunities faced in the Australian agricultural industry.
Plant Production
In this unit, students explore the production and management of plants for commercial purposes, focusing on how crops interact with resources, soils, and microbes or pests in farming environments. They develop practical skills in growing, monitoring, and managing plants, gaining hands-on experience with both traditional and innovative production techniques. By analysing factors that influence plant health and productivity, students learn how science and technology drive improvements in crop management, sustainability, and biosecurity. This study links classroom learning to the commercial cropping sector, one of the most vital components of Australian and global agriculture.
Year 12 HSC Agriculture
In Year 12, students refine their agricultural knowledge and skills by applying scientific principles to real-world industry contexts. In Experimental Design and Plant Production, they explore the role of biotechnology in improving productivity and sustainability while engaging with ethical debates around genetic technologies. Animal Production develops advanced understanding of livestock systems, from nutrition and breeding to welfare and disease management, linking theory with best-practice husbandry. In Farm Product Study, students focus on the Hurlstone Dairy, analysing how products are processed, marketed, and measured for quality, while connecting farm production to broader agribusiness. The year concludes with Sustainability, where students investigate soil, water, and resource management alongside the responsibilities of farmers, communities, and governments in protecting the environment. Together, these units challenge students to see agriculture as a dynamic field that combines science, ethics, and innovation, preparing them for success in university, industry, and leadership roles in the future of farming.
Experimental Design and Plant Production
This elective explores the role of biotechnology in shaping the future of food, fibre, and fuel production. Students learn the terminology and processes of gene-level biotechnology, examining both the potential and challenges of genetic engineering and gene technologies. Key issues include food safety and labelling, biosecurity, and the ethical considerations surrounding genetically modified organisms. Students also evaluate the environmental and social impacts of using land for food versus biofuel production. By linking biotechnology to improvements in productivity and sustainability, this unit challenges students to consider how science and innovation can contribute to a more secure and ethical agricultural future.
Animal Production
In this unit, students study the management practices essential for the successful production of livestock in Australia. They explore animal physiology, including ruminant and monogastric digestive systems, and apply this knowledge to formulating balanced diets that promote health, growth, and productivity. Students also investigate breeding techniques, disease prevention, and management strategies that improve livestock quality while ensuring welfare and biosecurity. Ethical considerations and industry standards are emphasised throughout, helping students understand how responsible animal husbandry underpins both productivity and community expectations in modern agriculture.
Farm Product Study
In this unit, students investigate how agricultural products are marketed and processed within the wider agribusiness sector. Focusing on the Hurlstone Dairy, they examine quality and quantity measures, processing methods, and the pathways products take from farm to consumer. Students develop skills in evaluating production systems, marketing strategies, and the sustainability of food production. By linking practical farm knowledge with agribusiness principles, this unit highlights the importance of innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility in modern agriculture.
Sustainability
In this unit, students investigate sustainable practices that improve farming systems while protecting natural resources. They focus on the management of water and soil, exploring how farmers, communities, and governments share responsibility for conserving water, protecting waterways, and maintaining soil health. Practical and theoretical learning highlight the importance of balancing productivity with environmental stewardship, preparing students to evaluate and apply strategies that support long-term sustainability in agriculture.
Support for High Potential Learners
Hurlstone’s Agriculture Faculty provides tailored opportunities for high potential students to extend their learning beyond the core curriculum. Through advanced practical experiences, enrichment in animal and plant science, and access to cutting-edge agricultural technologies, students are challenged to apply their abilities in authentic industry contexts. If your child shows high potential, contact us to learn how our High potential and gifted education (HPGE) programs in Agriculture can support them to achieve at the highest levels.
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