All students in Years 5 and 6 at Toolamba Primary School contributed to decorating a fibreglass cow for their entry into Dairy Australia’s Picasso Cow Program. Photos: Andy Wilson
The third term of school for the Years 5 and 6 students at Toolamba Primary was time well spent delving deep into the benefits of dairy products.
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Dairy Australia provided the students with a fibreglass cow for decorating in their most creative style about what they learnt over three weeks.
The project was all part of Dairy Australia’s Picasso Cow Program and in the national competition, the school’s new mascot ‘Butter Buns’ came in the top three with an honourable mention.
Almost as honourable is the story of how Butter Buns got her name, which was more forthcoming — and less obvious — than one would expect (the rear view picture of the fibreglass masterpiece gives it away).
Teacher Carly Tuhan said the purpose of the competition was for students to learn about the dietary benefits of dairy foods and then represent them as artwork painted onto the cow.
“The program ran for 10 weeks and consisted of a set curriculum taught to students about the dairy industry, either Farm to Plate or Health and Nutrition,” Mrs Tuhan said.
“We spent three weeks learning all about how important it is — especially for kids — to get the recommended daily intake to develop strong teeth and bones and also benefit from the many vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in dairy products.”
The students then spent two weeks planning the artwork which was completed in the five remaining weeks.
“We are very proud to be the only Victorian school to have won a place in the competition, beaten only by two NSW colleges for Best Overall Cow and Best Cow Design.
“I am so proud of how enthusiastic and engaged the students were in the program, and how every idea came from them.
“They were at the centre of every step in the journey, to deciding what should go on it, to designing each product, to painting every single colour.”
Teagan Roberts, 12, said the vitamin content of milk was what interested her.
“We learnt that dairy food has vitamins A, B2, B3, B12 and D,” Teagan said.
“So it’s very good for you.”
The class also submitted a learning journal that showed the journey through the program as well as six photographs which were also part of the judging process.
Evie Pogue, 12, said the secret to doing so well in the competition was all about patience.
“We put a lot of effort into it, and the advice I would give to younger years who might enter is to take your time, don’t rush,” Evie said.
Just as creative as the class’s representation of what they learned is the origin of Butter Buns’ name. A picture really is worth 1000 words.
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