There’s a four-legged, very colourful addition to Ashford Central School, and she isn’t going anywhere.
The nearly life-sized dairy cow was christened Nu-Trish by the students who spent term two making their mark on her, and learning some valuable lessons along the way.
Nu-Trish is a fibreglass cow, and part of the school’s participation in the Picasso Cows project. Sponsored by Dairy Australia, Nu-Trish was the creative element of a term-long learning adventure for students in years 4 through 6. Her name reflects the focus of the program: the benefits of a nutritious diet, including dairy.
The detailed story of her creation and the term 2 journey was presented at the Ashford Principal’s Assembly on 5 July, where each participating student received an achievement award.
“One of the great things is just the huge sense of teamwork and pride in a group achievement,” Ashford principal Alex Wrobel said.
“And sometimes, some of our students, who at times may not feel they are as capable when they’re contributing their piece or their part to what everyone is doing, they’re able to feel that level of success just the same as all of the other students. I think that’s really important.”
Nu-Trish will be now be entered into the competition for ‘Best Designed Cow’.
Dairy Australia provides these large fibreglass cows free of charge. The school only pays the freight, and sends along additional materials to complement the cow, outlining tips and habits for a healthy lifestyle.
Ashford creative arts teachers Seranna McIntyre and Nadine Wright were the project coordinators, leading the students through the art portion and supplemental learning activities.
“Because we weren’t actually in the area of a dairy farm, or anything like that, we chose the health and nutrition program, and taught them that dairy products are healthy for our bones and nutrition, and eating a healthy diet,” Seranna said.
The students completed two assessments as part of the program: they designed the imagery for their cow and painted her, and kept reflection journals to document a range of activities throughout the term. This included learning about healthy eating, the benefits of dairy products, how the dairy industry works, the importance of physical activity and participating in fitness challenges.
Some of the tasty perks were cheese tastings, and a school-wide milkshake day.
The heart of the project is the cow as a blank canvas. Seranna said that provided many benefits.
Each student was given a small cow template to begin brainstorming design ideas.
“We said, ‘Can you put things on there – images, words, all those sorts of things that might go on the cow?’ And they came up with the dairy products and words related to dairy products. We put the little skeletons on there relating to all of those things helping with healthy bones,” Seranna said.
“It’s not one particular child’s design. So they did a really good job taking a piece of everybody’s design and putting it together, so that it has that really nice teamwork and everybody has ownership in some way,” Nadine added.
Every student in years 4 through 6 painted the cow.
Aside from the artwork, Nadine said one program element was a favourite with the students.
“They were really excited in participating in the beep test,” Nadine said. The beep test is a fitness test, challenging students to stop and start running when they hear the beep.
In short order, the escalating beeps, urging the students to run and test themselves proved very popular.
“At the beginning, they weren’t too excited, when we suggested they try it. We said, ‘Just give it a go. It doesn’t matter how well you do, it’s just a good benchmark,’” Nadine said
“That was great because a lot of them were saying, I want to do this again in a term to see if my fitness has changed in ways I’m trying to be active.”
Painted and endlessly placid, Nu-Trish will soon become a regular in and around the school grounds.
“So Nu-Trish has to find a home within the school somewhere, and we might put her on casters wheels to give her a bit of a travel – here, there, and everywhere, visit different classrooms,” Seranna said.
“We should do a ‘Where is she now?’ Nu-Trish,” Nadine laughed. “Hide her around the school.”
She said the students will participate in an endangered animals project in term 3, with accompanying art competitions, giving the Ashford students even more exposure to external creative opportunities.
Top imager: Nu-Trish and several of her creators in years 4-6, with teachers Seranna McIntyre (left) and Nadine Wright (right) (Photo: Michèle Jedlicka)
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