Nathalia Primary School News - Arty Kids Get Moo-ving

Picasso Cow

This year we took possession of a plain white cow for our students to decorate as part of the Moo-ving Art Project. Mrs Dow has done an amazing job with a group of grade 5/6 students during recess and lunch breaks to come up with at theme and paint the cow. The final stage will be to apply a clear coat and find a spot for our cow to be shown off in the school yard. Well done to every one involved you should be very proud of your achievement. 

The students have been busy creating and making a variety of masterpieces in art this term. Both grade 3/4 classes designed and learnt simple sewing techniques to create a donut or a pizza.

Arty Kids Get Moo-ving: Local Nathalia School Participates In National Competition

Local Nathalia school, Nathalia Primary School, embarks on a new challenge this term, participating in Dairy Australia’s national education program, Picasso Cows.

Picasso Cows is a curriculum aligned program designed to inspire the next generation of curious minds with a creative way to learn about one of Australia’s most important agricultural industries. The program covers a broad range of content from how dairy farmers care for their cows and the environment, to producing delicious dairy products, and the important role the dairy food group plays in lifelong health.

As part of the program, the school has received a blank almost life-sized fibreglass cow that students will be decorating over the next eight to ten weeks as they learn about Australian dairy. The program is supported by free resources on the Discover Dairy website including videos, games, worksheets and more.

Dairy Australia Schools Engagement Advisor Jennie Annand says it’s so important for our next generation to have an understanding of Australia’s food systems.

“Picasso Cows is a fantastic hands-on approach to learning about the farm to plate process and important role farmers play in feeding the nation,” said Ms Annand.

“The curriculum is designed to create a fun, interactive, learning experience for students while they gain a sound understanding of the Australian dairy industry. Through the program, students will be able to explore agriculture processes through our ‘Farm to Plate’ theme or learn about the food groups through ‘Health & Nutrition’.

“The hands-on element of the program, such as the learning journals and fibre glass cow, allows teachers to cater to different learning styles.”

Participating schools who successfully complete the program have the opportunity to win one of three exciting prizes, with awards given for Best Cow Design, Best Learning Journal and Overall Winner.

This year Dairy Australia welcomed sponsorship for Picasso Cows from two key industry supporters, Gardiner Foundation and Rex James Stockfeed – and their investment will help maintain and grow the program for the industry.

Jenny Wilson, General Manger Community and People Development at Gardiner Foundation, said community engagement is a high priority for the industry.

“By supporting the delivery of the Picasso Cows program, we are helping educate more students about the health benefits of the dairy food group and the wonderful work dairy farmers do to feed the nation,” she said.

Samuel James, General Manager at Rex James Stockfeed, said giving back to the industry and dairy community was important for his company.

“We are thrilled to be supporting dairy education in schools and seeing the creative ways students are learning about the industry,” he said.