What is TAP?
The Timboon Agriculture Project (TAP) is a partnership between the Timboon P-12 School and the industries, and community around us, resulting in significant improvements in student learning outcomes and engagement.
The initial goals were-
1- Increase applied learning opportunities for students,
2- Increase the uptake of Maths/Science, especially at senior levels
3- Increase community engagement
4- Increase retention rates
5- Increase an awareness of agricultural career opportunities
The partnership project started by Timboon P-12 School and WestVic Dairy in mid-2012 has grown beyond expectations through the generous sharing of skills and knowledge by local community members and businesses: dairy farmers and other agriculturalists and horticulturalists—working with beef, ducks, sheep, chickens, lavender, strawberries; agricultural service providers from fencing contractors to vets to agricultural research scientists; major dairy processors and boutique food manufacturers; community service providers, emergency service volunteers, school teachers and parents.
Does it work?
- Over the past 11 years NAPLAN results have demonstrated relative gains well above State and National averages.
- Secondary students' sense of confidence is consistently measured by DEET as High, and their positive endorsement in Stimulated Learning is also consistently High
- Student attitudes to school and attendance rates have increased since the introduction of the TAP.
- Other data supports the retention of our students from Year 6 into Year 7 which was one of the big drivers in the beginning and it is happening yearly.
- At Timboon P-12 School physics, chemistry and biology classes are conducted at VCE level – with good numbers despite being a small school which points to a strong science program and science is heavily connected to TAP
- Data from the Parent Engagement Survey demonstrated that parents believe that Timboon P-12 School has a strong relationship with the community and that it provides opportunities for their children to develop a sense of responsibility, solve problems and provides opportunities to build confidence.
- 95% of parents expressed satisfaction with community connections and parent involvement
Now in it's twelfth year, we celebrate our community partnerships centred around our school curriculum and the agricultural industry / businesses / community around us.
In 2023, there were 170 individual community and industry personnel who contributed their expertise and hours of their time directly to students and teachers in the development and delivery of TAP curriculum and associated teacher PD. This was made up of 384 hours of imputed labor with a value of $17,902 dollar value of UNFUNDED industry time* calculated 2023@ $46.62/hr.
Our annual compilation of our TAP contributors' input and hours demonstrated that since the TAP started in August 2012, 675 different people have shared their expertise and passion for their community with us. In monetary terms, this has been $127,017 worth of expertise generously provided to school community.
It’s no wonder the TAP has been commended -
- "The Timboon TAP curriculum is unique and has that special quality that is needed particularly in our rural schools. Students from Prep to Year 12 get to understand their communities, they learn to be proud of where they live and are exposed to former students who have all benefited from a good education. TAP brings the life and the world that thrives around a rural community to life, and helps students realise that what they are learning has real and important applications. I applaud Timboon P-12 for its ongoing fostering of this programme and believe many other schools would benefit from a similar programme” - Richard Riordan, Member for Polworth, (December 2023)
- "In all our years working with school-education programs, the impact of the TAP initiative has stood out from the rest. TAP has achieved outstanding results for the Timboon students and community. John and I often reflect on the many presentation days that we had for our Cows Create Careers program(s) and talk about how knowledgeable the Timboon students were on those days. We also know this success does not come without a good program manager and a whole school endorsement. Congratulations to all the present and past contributors to the TAP initiative on a fabulous ten years, and we look forward to watching it evolve in the future.” - Deanne Kennedy, Managing Director, JayDee Events (October 2022)
- “It's really evident how much the kids are benefiting by how engaged and knowledgeable they are.” - Nerissa Lovric Agriculture Victoria (June 2022)
- “What the TAP has shown us during these times is that despite the challenges we all face real learning can still take place and in fact it is programs / initiatives like these that sustain a school and a community. The TAP brings people together and it is these lessons that students remember, the visits, guest speakers and activities. The smiles on students' faces when they are able to be involved in their community and the sense of pride they have in the TAP is amazing. We hope to continue to expand the program and take on new challenges but at the core will be the engagement in learning in anything we do.”
- Davin Reid, Principal Timboon p-12 School (November 2021) - “Well done Timboon pupils and teachers. Amazing achievements - year on year TAP demonstrating the vision and power of a can do attitude.” - Oonagh Kilpatrick, Great South Coast Food and Fibre Council Member (December 2020)
- “…quite apart from the fact that you’ve got people coming in from outside and sharing, when the teachers themselves are excited, it transmits to the kids.” - Robyn Vale, TAP Steering Committee Chair – “Ready for a world yet to be imagined”, Parent Engagement in Career Education project, C'wealth Department of Employment (February 2020)
- “The TAP showcase was absolutely brilliant and I was impressed by how well the students of all ages were engaging with the activities. It is a marvellous example of how a regional school can work effectively with its local community members” - John Flett Executive Manager , Education, South West TAFE (November 2019)
- “The Timboon Agriculture Project (TAP) is a best practice example of what can be achieved with a strong partnership with schools, industry and community” - James Merlino, Victorian Minister for Education (June 2019)
- “ Timboon are dairy champions and we love the excitement and enthusiasm your school has for the industry.” - Vanessa Forrest, Dairy Australia (August 2019)
- “…..inspiring and fits in what is best practice category for fostering Food and Fibre in schools.” - Tony Ford, Great South Coast Food and Fibre Group Executive Officer (2018)
- "It shows the value of using what is in your local area and how learning about food and fibre production can be used to strengthen learning in the classroom."
- Dr Cameron Archer PIEFA Chair (February 2016) - “… a world class learning experience…” - Dr Sara Glover, Mitchell Institute
- “… an emerging new education model for effecting cultural change.” - Great South Coast Strategic plan, (2015)
TAP Highlights 2023
TAP Highlights 2022
TAP Highlights 2021
TAP Highlights 2020
TAP Highlights 2019
TAP Highlights 2018
TAP Highlights 2017
TAP Highlights 2016
TAP Highlights 2014
TAP Highlights 2013
TAP into Farm Safety 2015 Victorian Worksafe OHS Achievement Award
Landline "Farm Study" January 2016
TAP case study from the Department of Employment (C’wealth) School to Work.