The Brush Telegraph

Dairy Australia is running a curriculum-based learning program, Picasso Cows, giving students the opportunity to unleash their inner artist.

Developed in consultation with teachers and education consultants, the program’s resources are part of the curriculum units, Farm to Plate and Health and Nutrition, and aim to inspire learning through student creativity.

The program has been challenging primary school students to find their inner Picasso and decorate their cow, for more than a decade.

“Every school receives their very own life-like cow to paint and decorate, which supports student-centered, interactive learning in addition to an exciting digital educational resource, Discover Dairy, which teachers can easily find materials that best fit within the lessons they are planning,” said Vanessa Forrest, Dairy Australia’s School Communications Manager.

“The fact that the program has been taken up so enthusiastically by schools for over ten years is a testament to the benefits of the program and how much both students and teachers get out of it.”

According to Dairy Australia Dietitian, Glenys Zucco, Picasso Cows provides an opportunity for students to learn the health benefits of dairy at a young age, promoting a nutritionally balanced diet.

“Scientific evidence supports the health benefits of eating dairy, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, and the Australian Dietary Guidelines indicate dairy lowers the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension and type 2 diabetes,” Ms Zucco said.

“It’s important children know that milk is a rich source of protein and calcium, essential to growing strong bones and healthy muscles.”

For schools that follow the Farm to Plate curriculum, students gain knowledge about the $13 billion Australian dairy industry and the story of how milk goes from the farm to our fridge.

Students in stage 3 recently participated in a 3 week sport coaching clinic run by senior PE students. Clinics were conducted with groups of students in soccer, league tag and touch football. The clinics were coordinated by Mr Scott Jacklin from Chatham High PDHPE Department. A huge thank you to Mr Jacklin and the students for their time and effort. Our students thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity. 

Parents/Carers are invited to come and pick up another round of Rapid Antigen Tests from the school office. We are supplying both nasal and saliva tests. Please contact the office if you need to make alternative arrangements for pick up.