STUCK IN: Anson Street School students Jay, Jessie, Danny and Caleb pick off the last of the grapes. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0315anson2
ORANGE High School and Canobolas Rural Technology High School students lent a hand to their Anson Street School friends on Friday and helped them harvest the school’s grapes.
Orange High School student Nelson Harris was glad he had made the trip to help Anson Street School because he felt a sense of pride over his efforts and those of the Anson Street students.
“It’s been pretty good, you see a range of different kids and different abilities,” he said.
Nelson said he was amazed at how well the students listened.
“They struggle a bit but all they need is a bit of help and they can pretty much do anything,” he said.
“It was pretty cool helping them because I’d show them how to do something and then I’d come back a little later and they were doing it real well.
“Yeah, I did feel pretty proud.”
Anson Street School agriculture and marine studies teacher David Gell said the students were having just as much fun this year as they had for the last four harvests.
The tempranillo grape vines were planted in 2008. Ross Hill turns them into wine and donates it back to the school.
“It’s a new variety which is becoming ever more popular,” he said.
“It’s good for the students to have fun while they’re learning something at the same time.”
Mr Gell said one of the skills the students learnt was to work as a team.
“It’s good for mainstream students to work with special needs kids and be thoughtful about kids with special needs,” he said.
“It’s also good for special needs kids to work with mainstream kids, it’s good for them to participate.”
To pick up a case of Anson Street School wine contact the front office and ask for Mr Gell.