Coffs Harbour High students milk success to win top national prize

When Coffs Harbour Public School agriculture students received a life-size fibreglass cow to decorate, little did they know their efforts would be rewarded by winning a national competition.

The Years 9-10 students’ work “Moona Lisa” snared Overall Winner in the national Picasso Cows program – beating 49 schools competing from across Australia.

Decorating the cow was one of many tasks in a Dairy Australia curriculum program used at the school to learn about the industry, the farm to plate process and nutrition.

Science, Agriculture and Marine Studies teacher Amanda Joyce said the students chose to take on the ‘farm to plate’ theme and the Picasso Cows project.

“The Picasso Cow project allowed the students to learn so much about the dairy industry in a manner that included the development of their ideas and creativity,” she said.

Students at the school said they loved creating the Moona Lisa, which will stand proudly in their agriculture plot for years to come, as well as the learning that came with it.

Year 10 agriculture student Alexandra Strainic said the project was “amazing”.

She said: “The process of designing, sketching, painting, and finalising had been a long process. But the nearing deadline increased our capability to work in a fast-moving, but careful environment.”

“Even being surrounded by our school farm gave us inspiration and a reference point that immersed us all into the Picasso Cow’s farm-like theme,” she said.

Year 9 student Laetitia Cox was also thrilled with the project, and the team’s win.

“The Picasso Cow project allowed the students to learn so much about the dairy industry in a manner that allowed for the development of their ideas and creativity,” she said.

The cash prize won by the school will be used investing in the agriculture department.