Expressions of interest have opened for The Archibull Prize 2016 and I must admit I was so disappointed to have to tell Kate from Berry Springs Primary School NT that we havent got the funding to come to the Northern Territory yet

When you hear Kate’s story you will see why I am so moved

What do you do when you are a small rural school in the Northern Territory, who are committed to developing a deep empathy for the environment, sustainability, research and regeneration of plants, animals and humans AND have an upcoming art show? Make and paint your own cows!

Berry Springs Primary School staff, parents and students don’t do anything by half measures so we developed our ‘paint a cow’ (and chicken) project to add an extra ‘zing’ to our annual art show in honour of our two school calves, Bella and Fella who were rescued by the NT Police and poddy fed by students.

The result was an outstanding success.

 

from this to this – now that’s innovation and creativity at its best dont you think? 

Every class within the school (preschool – year 6), leadership, administration, special education support, student extension program and even a local ‘Artist in Park’ at the Territory Wildlife Park were given a blank plywood cow (and/or chicken) which had been personally designed and cut out by a group of teachers.

There was no limit on the creativity or theme for the project.

Some classes opted for a ‘food and fibre’ theme, for instance;

• using different offcuts of leather from a local stockwhip maker to cover the cow
• covering a cow with fake grass and hanging pots of cotton grown by students
• nail art using different coloured wool
• gluing different seeds and pastas

Other classes turned their cows into chalkboards, joke boards, mosaics and even a psychedelic display of the school values.

A special cow painted by Berry Springs Primary School Principal Leah Crockford and local ‘Artist in Park’ at the Territory Wildlife Park, Taylor O’Hare depicted the connection between the school and the park, along with the school song.

The cows are a real talking point for parents and visitors to the school and can be found scattered around the school grounds enjoying the beautiful Territory sun and surroundings!

Yes Kate when I have as much money as Bill Gates to do good you will be the first person I call

 

 

 

Join the movement of teachers and students working together with farmers to ensure everyone in this country has access to safe, affordable, healthy food and quality fibre every day and a brighter future for all.

Agriculture can be used to teach science, geography and maths in context. Did you know it can also be used to teach art and multimedia? In fact the opportunities are endless.

The Archibull Prize is a world renowned program with curriculum-linked teaching resources which explore the role agriculture plays in the health, wealth and happiness of Australians and many other people around the world.

Your students can not only win cash prizes for their creativity, they can put their town on the map by participating in The Archibull Prize!