Basic Assessment Testimonials
Congratulations to the following candidates who gained the Basic Assessment in 2019
Robert Gray Stephen Heathcote Basia Kustra (Credit) Zohreh Majidian Paul Matthews We extend our thanks to our Education Officer, James Conlon, for preparing the candidates and to Deborah Campbell for her time, support and assessment skills.
If you are interested in taking the Basic Assessment please contact our Education Officer, James Conlon for further details. |
What the candidates said...
"I found the Basic Assessment useful for the following reasons: Having an experienced beekeeper giving information on my handling of bees was useful. Having passed the Assessment has given me confidence in myself as a beekeeper. The assessor gave me lot of useful tips that made handling bees easier." - Robert Gray "My main motive for taking the exam was to learn. When I initially saw the syllabus and what I was required to know, I almost backed out, as there was so much I did not know. Logic then told me that is exactly why I should put the effort in and prepare for the exam. I had to learn to make frames, which I managed to avoid in my first year of beekeeping, by either buying ready-made frames, or relying on the kindness of others to make them for me - I was let down a few times on both counts. I also had to learn about diseases and the bee life cycle, which is so important but somewhat 'avoidable at the outset. The downside was a lack of confidence and conflict with my aim of looking after my bees well, as they work so hard and give so much. Having passed the exam, I feel so much more confident and absolutely delighted I put the effort in, which would not have been possible without the enormous support and guidance I received from everyone involved with the course at the society. Thank you so very much!" - Zohreh Majidian "I can say with total honesty that the Basic Assessment experience was so positive - it didn't feel like a test at all. Deborah, the assessor was so lovely and really encouraging, as she guided me through the activity. She was so knowledgeable and passed on some practical pearls of wisdom when I was inspecting the colony, so that it would make my life a little easier in the future. A puff of smoke just as I lift the crown board and a manipulation of the hive tool I hadn't considered has really helped my own beekeeping skills back at the apiary at home. What I found most useful was the tips Deborah shared when checking for potential diseases. It's the stuff you can only learn from our experienced beekeepers. Not everything is written in the books!" - Basia Kustra |