To launch our 2023 Year 7 Cows Create Careers (CCC) unit, we invited WestVic Dairy’s Workforce Attraction Farm Engagement Lead, Samantha Andrews, into the classroom to outline potential opportunities, careers and pathways in the dairy industry. Sam explained that agriculture is central to our region with dairy being the biggest enterprise in South West Victoria. She described the many opportunities both inside and beyond the farmgate as a lifetime career or as an interim job that taught numerous teambuilding skills with lots of potential for careers in STEM right across our industry. Students learnt that dairy farmers take advantage of innovative and sustainable measures to ensure the health and sustainability of their animals, farms, teams and businesses including cow collars, robotic dairies, genomics, sexed semen and recycling water to grow crops. Sam introduced us to Ella and Nellie, two girls who who enjoy the flexibility that dairy offers as they work with her farm team after school and on holidays around their family, cricket and netball commitments. They help rear calves, drive tractors, milk and assist vets while gaining experience for early entry to study Agriculture at university and becoming a physiotherapist respectively. Students were challenged to nominate as many careers in dairy as possible with 7A producing the longest list! Sam left the students with dairy information packs and a much better understanding of the range of flexible careers in agriculture across our region. Thanks Sam! As part of their studies of Natural Disasters the Year 5/6 students were introduced to the Flood Maths unit by local farmer, Chris MacKenzie. After examining historical, actual and predicted weather maps, students discussed BOM’s indication of a 30% higher than average rainfall prediction for the southwest. Chris described the location of his farm and students could observe the numerous creeks, rivers and drains that run through the Timboon area. Examples of previous destruction caused by floods in the region were shared and Chris showed the students the damage caused to his fences, laneways and paddocks. Armed with a quotes provided by Hayley Hart from Nutrien Timboon, students now have to work out what Chris would need to purchase and calculate the costs to replace and repair the potential flood damage to his farm. These applied learning opportunities centred on practical maths applications are a hallmark of the TAP as they provide students occasions to develop a range of skills, experiences and understanding beyond the boundaries of text book curriculum. Looking forward to see what these students calculate, could be a big bill Chris!!. Rebel against climate change. Learn how to Regenerate your surroundings... Join us for Regen Tuesdays at 11.00am each Tuesday during Terms 2 and 3 in L1 in the senior school where we will discuss regenerative ways and do regenerative, student design projects. It's a way of thinking. It's a life skill. For enquiries contact Kylie Treble on 0417781343 or Jarrad Cook [email protected] This term’s staff noticeboard is designed to recognise and celebrate our TAP Community of Educators. In 2022 we acknowledged our TAP industry and community partners and presenters at our Ten Years of TAP celebration. This year our amazing community members keep stepping up to help enrich and support Timboon P-12 School’s curriculum offerings with one of the busiest starts of the school year - ever! Our celebratory bunting depicts some of our presenters in action and, in keeping with Crayfest’s theme of sustainability and recycling, the banner was originally donated by Darcy from Diamer Signs before being repurposed as bunting for Crayfest, the recent Timboon on Display Open Night, staff noticeboard and will also be displayed at TAP’s On! in November this year. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by this very innovative, generous, and creative Community of Educators. Thank you! Agronomist Adam Bell’s invitation to speak to the Year 10 Maths class about statistics and careers was instigated by a Year 11 student who suggested that it would be good to link topics to potential career pathways. Adam initially explained that when he was young, he wanted to play guitar, surf and ride motorbikes but injuries from motorbikes curtailed his plans and he realized that he needed to take care of his body. Originally working as a young curator at the Peterborough Golf Course, he could combine his love of working outdoors with the occasional surf and soon curated other local golf courses. Adam obtained an Ag Science degree and now works as an agronomist for Living Turf whose clients range from big venues like HBA Stadium, AMI Park and the MCG to regional golf courses, race tracks, councils, farmers and commercial lawn areas. He outlined the various tools that he uses to collect different types of data for analysis and the use of trends to assess the benefits of assorted soil science programs or products to inform his clients' decision making. The importance of soil tests, live data and statistical data was stressed to help appraise decisions on the best product, grass, soil, fertilizer, application, drains, foundation, surface, chemical, or timing to ensure people can live or work on these surfaces safely. Adam also described how statistics are used in sports such as surfing or footy to improve performance or prevent injury. At the conclusion of the lesson, Adam took readings from our top oval obtained by the Turf Pogo pro to demonstrate the various forms of data that he uses on a daily basis. Real maths in action, thanks Adam! After investigating Melittology: the life cycles of bees, ecological relationships, bee conservation, apiculture (beekeeping) and human or climatical impacts on their habitat, it was time for our Year 9 Science students to taste various types of honey. Aimed with a ‘Honey connoisseur aroma and tasting wheel’, the students had to describe the colour, aroma, flavour, texture and after flavour. Reactions varied but the stand out favourites were our own Timboon School honey and Penders Yellow Gum Timboon Honey. Tastes ranged from “smooth and buttery”, “different with a natural taste”, “very sugary” and “blackberry’ flavour”. The antibacterial claims of some honey makers and the effectiveness of their honey consumed instead of being used topically were discussed and the series The Great Australian Bee Challenge was concluded. What a sweet way to finish off the term! During the Term 1 Year 7 science students’ lesson with Marion Manifold about ecosystems and bandicoots, she challenged students to design a poster or sticker profiling the plight of the Southern Brown Bandicoots. We received a great sticker design from Polly and while Matilda produced a poster with both designs on display at Crayfest. To acknowledge their efforts we contacted Eilish Roberts from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne who provided two bandicoot cookie cutters as prizes. Congratulations ladies! Once again, the TAP was a part of our Timboon on Display, transition event. The evening was targeted at new Year Prep parents and students and families of students in Year 6 as they are invited to transition to the Year 7-12 Senior campus. School tours introduced students and their families to the junior and senior classrooms with students and teachers outlining what is covered in their respective year levels and curriculum areas. We are proud of our TAP involvement right across our P-12 School and we used this opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge our wonderful TAP community of educators and our innovative additions to the Timboon P-12 curriculum areas. Returning to their classrooms, the Year 1/2 students recounted their experiences visiting Couch’s seasonal dairy farm at Brucknell. The calves, pretending to be cows, tractors, old photos, eating chocolate and teachers being ‘milked’ were definite highlights! Thanks Brad and Becc, you definitely help contextualise and recognise seasons and changes all around us. |
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March 2024
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