The staffroom TAP noticeboard is designed to let teachers across the whole Timboon P-12 campus know about topics or curriculum activities created by other teachers and as a springboard for new ideas to inspire their students in 2020. Check out the ABC of TAP and the Ag Journal's article '20 for the Twenties'

That phrase sums up the TAP in 2019...
Timboon P-12’s TAP community has at its core innovative and creative teachers, who are backed by our supportive industry and community members. In 2019, there were 153 individual community and industry personnel involved in the development and delivery of TAP curriculum and associated teacher PD. This equates to 402.5 hours, or $16,094* of imputed value for time generously donated to support TAP initiatives. (*Dollar value of unfunded industry time calculated at $40/hr.)  Since August 2012 there have been 455 local community members and businesses – farmers and other agriculturalists and horticulturalists – working with beef, ducks, dairy, chickens, lavender; agricultural service providers from fertilizer contractors to vets, fire recovery advocates to agricultural research scientists; major dairy processors and boutique food manufacturers; community service providers, and parents generously sharing skills and knowledge with our students and teachers. To our agricultural partners in 2019 we have added many volunteers from the CFA, SES, ACOs, CERT, Port Campbell Life Saving Club members and representatives from groups like Timboon parkrun with our major focus on volunteerism in our community.  We thank you all for your interest and support and here’s to many more TAP endeavors in 2020.  

The TAP is all about our wonderful community and the inspiring environs around Timboon P-12 School. These marvelous murals were created by Year 7/8 Visual Art students and will soon be adorning the walls of the Timboon Swimming Pool. Students worked in groups to research, plan, design and paint these large scale acrylic paintings based on local landscapes and seascapes. They are to be commended for their excellent teamwork, commitment, problem solving and perseverance during the creation of these artworks for their community. Well done to Annemarie Harris and students on your awesome effort!

​Rosalie Moorfield, ex Principal and one of the creators of the TAP, has once again produced a brilliant brochure highlighting the eclectic curriculum developed under the TAP banner during 2019. The PDF of 'The ABC of TAP' can be viewed at the ‘What is TAP?’ page on the TAP blog. Thank you Rosalie for your ongoing support.

Our 2019 lavender crop is currently being harvested with an awesome flush of lavender blooms, heavenly fragrance and attractive flower spikes. Some of the Riverina Alan florets will be used to distill lavender oil or create bunches whilst the Pacific Blue and Avice Hill flowers are drying out with the opportunity for our 2020 students to determine what they will produce from this season’s crop. Our Lavender products are available for sale at Timboon Berry Farm and in Peterborough. Thanks to Carolyne Wakefield for the brilliant job she and our students do in tending to and harvesting the florets from our TAP lavender farm. 

​Timboon P-12 School and the TAP have recently become an advocate member of Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia (PIEFA). The TAP has previously been showcased at two PIEFA Conferences to demonstrate our innovative curriculum model to teachers, industry and other educators.  The mission of PIEFA is to engage and inform students, teachers and the broader community about the role and importance of primary industries in the Australian economy, environment and wider community and the career opportunities available through the primary industries and along the supply chain of food and fibre products. Watch the Blog for updates about the inclusion of even more food and fibre curriculum and community opportunities.

​To conclude their studies of all things dairy and Camembert, our Year 8 Science students made ice cream from liquid nitrogen.  It's been described as the 5 minute way to make amazing ice cream. All you need is some liquid nitrogen (-195°C), some creamy ingredients, and an appetite for exploring the science of food. While it looks pretty cool, excuse the pun, there is one tiny little negative to using liquid nitrogen to make ice cream… it's dangerous if you're not careful. Our students are well prepared for this engaging treat with lab coats, safety glasses on and ice cream wafer cones at the ready!

Our Year 7/8 Collaborative Coding science elective class were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to visit Phil and Symone Vine’s robotic dairy to see world class robotic technology operating in a regional dairy business. Phil and Symone explained that the 300 cows on this farm were milked by 4 robots and that the cows effectively wore ’Fitbits’ that relayed information about their activity including rumination, whether on they were on heat or health indicators such as a decline in activity. The free range cows were directed into different grazing blocks, A,B,C with the option to send them to the large shed, D, during hot or inclement weather. Students learnt that production had increased by 15% and vet bills had halved as the information gained from the cow collars and robots alerted the Vines to early potential problems such as mastitis. Vines also described a new operation that milks 750 cows through 10 robots which has just been established. Phil stressed the need for trainees or technicians to be qualified to service the robots and build technical capacity to work in agriculture, any takers in this innovative new field? 

Our annual Camembert in the Classroom Cheese Appreciation night showcased the learnings undertaken by Year 8 Science students this semester. Students and parents viewed the advertisements produced by students while their cheese was judged by Simon Schulz from Schulz Organic Dairy and Julian Benson owner of Apostle Whey Cheese. Media judges, Bec McAuliffe from Port Campbell Film Society, and Robyn Vale had a difficult time determining the winner of the advertisement challenge as there were many ads which delivered clear and concise messages about dairy. The winning ads were produced by Matisse and Akisha,in 8A while Taj and Taj won the 8B ad competition. After the cheese judging Simon Schulz commended the students on the quality of their cheese and encouraged students to look for the many opportunities available in this region. ‘Blechy Babes’ was the name of the winning cheese by Olive and Tahlia from 8A while ‘Geoffrey’ was the best cheese in 8B and was produced by Conner and Michael. Thank you to the parents and students who participated in the event, with over 70 people in attendance, our judges and Mr Mottram, Mrs Fraser and Ms Allan for this great opportunity.  

​In the days following TAP’s On! students recounted their favourite part of the day with various literacy and recount activities. We were also fortunate enough to host The Connies and Roberto generously shared his passion for the environment and animals with the Year 3/4 students to conclude their studies of "Fur, Feathers and Leaves". What a great way to celebrate and showcase our extensive TAP curriculum, thanks everyone for your enthusiasm and support.