Today our Year 7 students joined their peers from Cobden Technical School, Terang College and Colac Secondary College for the 2023 Maths & Science @ Work Expo. Students were able to participate in a range of hands on tasks whilst exploring the world of work and occupations as they investigated the various Maths and Science skills involved in a diverse collection of professions. Presenters and guests included; Deakin University: Occupational Therapy and Medicine, Ridleys, Roberts Builders, South West Academy of Sport, Deakin University:Engineering, Total Livestock Genetics, Precision Agriculture, Hairdressing, Deakin University:Psychology, Southern Land Bovine Services, FSR Equip and Warrnambool Hydraulics, Fonterra, South West Skills and Job Centre, WestVic Dairy, Maxcare, Lochard Energy, Corangamite Shire Council, Camperdown Compost and The Midfield Group. Thank you to all of our presenters, Matt and Ruby from the Neil Porter Legacy, DemoDAIRY Foundation for supporting the event and Cobden Technical school for hosting us, a real eye opener! As part of their research into global trade and regional implications, the Year 5-6 students have studied fast fashion and the impact this has on the world. Students had to choose a desired item of clothing, something they would really like to buy. They investigated what the item is made of, where in the world it is made and the cost of the item in terms of the environmental and social impact of making the article of clothing. They explored their role in decision making when it comes to purchasing products and how what they decide to buy impacts and connects to a broader global community. During the teaching of the unit students also explored the concepts of fair trade and created calls to action around global fast fashion. This was a powerful topic as our students came to realise that their purchasing decisions can impact the lives of others across the globe. Our Year 8 Science students have made their own Camembert cheese in the classroom in a small scale operation, so as a comparison, Steve Billington introduced students to the large scale cheese making processes of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory and Saputo Australia. Steve described the cheese production process from milk reception from farms, the milk separation process, skim milk ultrafiltration, to pasteurisation. Starter cultures are added to cheese making vats to set the milk, then rennet to make the milk coagulate before it is stirred prior to entering the cheddar machine. The curd is milled, salted, mellowed and transferred to block formers then checked and sealed, tested, cooled, palletised and stored to mature before distribution. Steve then generously provided samples of Colby, Tasty and Vintage Cracker Barrel Cheddar cheese so students could taste the difference in the maturation process. It was interesting to note, that despite the volume differences and mechanisation, many of the techniques were similar to those undertaken by our students to produce their own cheese. Continuing the Year 11 VCE Business Management class’ investigation of marketing, we invited Darren Loft from ACE Radio Network into the classroom to talk about working with clients to make the most of their advertising budget and target marketing. Darren described the various roles that he has held prior to being an Account Manager at ACE Radio and explained that these life experiences all provided background and contribute to his current skillset and knowing how to run, and sell, a business opportunity. He has worked at ACE Radio for 10 years across 3YB AM, that tends to cater for listeners over 35 years and Coast FM, which has a younger audience. Darren enjoyed sales and completed a Marketing Diploma but stressed the importance of listening to clients and customers to best determine their needs. The importance of patience, research, timing, knowing your market and industry and what your competitors were doing were important considerations to deliberate with clients to capitalise on marketing opportunities. Darren discussed case studies with the students sharing a variety of campaign strategies and the students conveyed their business ideas with Darren who gave them tips and ideas. He emphasized the importance of straight to the point messaging, ‘what do you want to be known for’ and the importance of finding the right messaging, ‘the hidden gem’. Thanks Darren Continuing our TAP geographical investigation of interconnection between places and spaces and exploring trade between regions and countries, our Year 5/6 students undertook a field trip to the Fonterra site in Cobden. Warmly welcomed by Andrew Westlake, the Business Improvement Lead, and his team, the students were introduced to various production areas and saw how the raw product moved through the site to be processed, wrapped, packed and ready for transport across Australia or overseas. In the Western Star Room, Joel explained that milk had been produced on this site for over 120 years and it was one of the oldest dairy companies in the world with a purpose driven goal of making good food safely. Products processed at Cobden included bottled milk and cream, a variety of spreads, butters and blends including Western Star and a range of milk powdered products by a staff of 300 people. At the Farm Milk Collection area, Robyn showed students the fleet of tankers that collected approximately 6 million litres and drove over 33,000km a week to bring product back to Cobden. Students met mechanics at the truck workshop and learnt about the range of careers in transport and maintenance. At the Beverages plant, Caitlin showed students the technology involved in bottling milk and cream and the emphasis on testing product to ensure food safety. She described the increase in automation to improve production efficiencies and make the work environment safe for the staff that worked in those areas with over 330,000 litres of milk bottled everyday. Brett introduced students to the powder and butter production areas with butter packed for a range of products from 8 grams sachets to 25kg blocks. We learnt that the this milk powder packaged in the robot cell was used as reconstituted milk across the globe, for cooking products and used in some of the world's most famous chocolate bars. Fonterra Cobden generously provided a tub of Western Star spreadable butter and a jar of cream to our students that was sure to be the topic of many dinner table conversations that night! During Science week over 120 people joined us to celebrate our annual Family Science Night, "Innovation - Powering Future Industries", with a focus on innovations in agriculture, transport, sustainability and ethics. Agronomist, Glenn Cain and drone specialist, Rhys Baxter, set the scene as they described the drone services offered by Webber and Chivell that included spraying and spreading and explained that drone applications were evolving into a $5 billion industry. They explained that their mapping drone provided a prescription map of the area to be serviced and that the DJIT40 drone had a payload of 40 litres of liquid or 50kg of either granular fertilizer, seed or slug bait. With innovation and technology at the forefront of their minds, our families then rotated through 3 challenges including a series of innovation and brain storming quizzes and building a WiggleBot and a Robobee. An onsite photo booth provided lots of laughs, 3D printers created models and a delicious supper provided by 3M Catering was enjoyed by all. Thank you and congratulations to our senior Science team for curating such a motivating event! We wanted to make the VCE Business Management class’ investigation of marketing as real, relevant, unforgettable and delicious (really!!) as possible! In 2021, during COVID restrictions, we recorded an interview with Ian and Angela Preuss, the owners of GORGE Chocolates and the Chocolate Alpaca, and it was appropriate to watch it once again as they were the perfect fit generously sharing their story and updating their plans for the future. Ian and Angela described their passion for alpacas, their desire to operate their business in a tourist area and the myriad of opportunities provided by agribusiness and tourism in our region. They showcased their extensive product range of chocolates, alpaca goods and local produce and provided examples of how their business utilizes the ‘7 P’s’ of marketing - Product, Price, Place, People, Promotion, Process and Physical Evidence. The Preuss’ outlined how they were able to pivot their business and draw on the options provided by the chocolates, alpacas and café during COVID restrictions. Fiona Mackenzie graciously delivered some chocolate alpacas for our VCE students that were generously donated by Ian and Angela. We are extremely fortunate that entrepreneurs like the Preuss’ continue to contribute to our student’s learning and provide updates on regional enterprises to appreciate and inspire business opportunities in our region. We have welcomed three Melbourne University Graduate School of Education students to Timboon for the past two weeks who are really enjoying getting a taste for a range of subjects and watching our TAP presenters, including Julian Benson and Mark Cuthell, in action sharing their expertise. We shared a PD opportunity with them, "A partnership to enhance student learning, Celebrating 10 Years of TAP & more!" and suggested that they tap into their future communities as their own personal state libraries. Best of luck in the future Josh, Finn and David To support the production of camembert cheese making, a component of the original Dairy Australia, ‘Camembert in the Classroom’ unit was for students to produce scientific reports on the cheese making process and conducting an experiment that reported on the milk solid analysis of whole milk. Whilst the Dairy Australia unit does not run anymore, we have kept the cheesemaking, scientific reports and investigation of the Australianm dairy industry as a cornerstone of the Year 8 Science curriculum. The students’ posters will be on display at our annual Cheese Appreciation Night in early September but here is a sneak peak. Martin’s Hardware is Timboon’s one-stop hardware shop for all hardware and building needs so we thought we’d introduce the Year 7B Economics class to this local enterprise to investigate how another local business deals with supply and demand. Heather Martin outlined her career path through hospitality, office jobs and other business ventures before she was involved in the two Martin’s Hardware stores as family businesses in Cobden and Timboon. She utilized an entrepreneurial mindset by constantly looking to revamp the business and seek new opportunities to satisfy the supply / demand requirements of locals, tourists and regular holiday visitors. Seasonal purchases peaked in Spring and Summer with students identifying paint, pool salts and gardening supplies as sought after items. Students heard how COVID restrictions impacted supply/demand as Martins sold 3 year’s worth of paint in 3 months during lockdowns, more than 10 year’s worth of sleepers were sold during restrictions and demand outstripped supply for seedlings with hardly any quality young stock available the following year. Heather stressed that it was important to listen to what people want and cater to your market so Martins are venturing into a new garden supply area to support the many new developments in the area. She advised students that anything that creates conversations is free advertising for your business and to seek opportunities to stay current. Thanks Heather! |
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March 2024
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