Hunter River High School's cattle show team received top honours when they were awarded the best presented school cattle show team at the 2024 Newcastle Show in March.
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The students meet Monday to Thursday during their break, and they utilise this time as an opportunity to refine their animal handling skills, develop knowledge about the feeding of grain rations and prepare for exhibiting cattle at local and regional shows.
On Tuesday afternoons, the group refine their cattle showing skills, learning about how to prepare, parade and judge cattle.
This year the group welcomed four new Year 7 members and the students have been guided by their older peers.
From the start of the school year, the thirteen students worked hard to prepare themselves and the animals for the Maitland, Newcastle, Gresford and Upper Hunter shows.
Agriculture and science teacher Andrew Abercrombie said after 25 years of educating students about how to feed, break in, prepare, judge and show cattle, he still feels privileged to be part of the experience.
"It is wonderful to see students challenging themselves in areas such as animal handling and public speaking," he said.
"To see their growth from nervous Year 7's to confident Year 10's and Year 12's is wonderful."
Students have also begun working on animals in preparation for the Singleton Show and Beef Bonanza in October.
