Starting the journey.....March 2021
In Burgess NS we are so fortunate to have the richest and most powerful learning environment on our doorstep -that of the countryside. Our pupils love nature and have a wealth of knowledge and information to share. Many live on farms or in rural settings and those that live in urban settings equally enjoy learning and experiencing the natural environment. With this kind of interest and motivation we were delighted to sign up to the The Farm Safe Schools Programme whose aim is to ' Engage, Educate and Empower children to be our farm safety ambassadors'.
We all know how persuasive children can be so we hope that by bringing the message home about farm safety we are helping to create a safer future on Burgess farms for years to come.
We all know how persuasive children can be so we hope that by bringing the message home about farm safety we are helping to create a safer future on Burgess farms for years to come.
Module 1: Farmer, Farm and Fields
In this module we learned about the dangers on a farm and how to recognise the various safety signs used. After we learned about the colours and shapes of the safety signs we got the job of taking photos of safety signs we spotted at home for seesaw homework! Great sign spotting everyone.
We learned about the different zones on the farm and the dangers to watch out for in each zone. People sent in photos from the different zones that they learned about in school. This slurry pit was empty so it was safe for Mike to open it.
We learned so much about agitating the slurry and how to be careful around slurry pits. Niall and Darrgh sent this video on seesaw as they watched their Grandad and Dad attaching and securing the slurry hose. Here you can also see the PTO shaft which powers the vacuum to suck up the slurry. It is all very interesting to see and we now know how important it is to watch the adults at work from a safe distance. A farmyard is NOT a playground.
Module 2: Animal Safety
In Module 2 we learned how important it is to stay safe around farm animals, particularly at this busy time of year when many animals are giving birth and looking after their young.
We heard all about the bull and learned about how to stay safe around him.
We loved learning about the signs that show when animals are relaxed and happy or when they are agitated and stressed. Again we kept our eyes open to spot evidence of what we had learned and sent in photos and videos as part of our seesaw homework on module 2.
We heard all about the bull and learned about how to stay safe around him.
We loved learning about the signs that show when animals are relaxed and happy or when they are agitated and stressed. Again we kept our eyes open to spot evidence of what we had learned and sent in photos and videos as part of our seesaw homework on module 2.
Finn reports that his dog is happy and relaxed here.
Michael knows how to be safe around his new aberdeen angus bull. He sent us these photos of the animal sheds on his farm.
This girl loves Spring on her farm with so many baby lambs to count and feed! She knows how to handle her lambs safely and she knows how important it is to wash her hands after handling animals.
One of Michael's many baby lambs. This has to be a perfect Spring photo.
Thomas took us on a tour of his shed with his Dad early one day before school.
Look at these great photos from 2nd class taken by the girls in 2nd class after learning lots of facts in Module 2 . Well done girls for some great photography.
Aoibheann and Katherine sent in photos they took while out walking around their farms.
Katherine knows all about what makes a content cat.
After completing module 2 Olivia took to the roads and created these wonderful collages on seesaw for us. Well done Olivia.
A Farm Visit 22/4/2021
It was with great excitement and anticipation that we set off to Rosemount to visit Darragh and Niall's farm on a visit as part if the Farm Safe Schools programme. The slideshows below record some of the highlights of our day.
First up was a talk on the story of milk by Siobhan from Arrabawn co-op - From Grass to Glass. It was a really informative session with lots of interesting facts. Siobhán told us what happens the milk when it leaves the dairy farms around us and how milk is used to make many other dairy products that we enjoy.
Next we had a visit by Niamh the vet. Niamh spoke to us about her work and in particular how to take care of animals. She asked us about the signs that show us when an animal is distressed or anxious. She reminded us how to stay safe around animals, Mike brought a cow into the cattle crush and Niamh proceeded to show us how she examines an animal. We had so many questions for Niamh and we really enjoyed her talk with us.
After being sure to sanitise our hands thoroughly it was time for a snack followed by an ice pop surprise in the sun given by the farmer's wife that we all know very well!!
After lunch it was time for Farmer Mike to take over. We started at the milking parlour and heard all about the process of milking the dairy herd. Mike demonstrated how the milking machine works and told us about the busy work of the farmer milking the cows , storing the milk and cleaning the equipment.
Spring is such a busy time on the farm and we were so grateful for Mike for taking the day off to show us around and tell us about the work of the farmer. We got to see a calf that was only 4 days old, calves that were 2 weeks old, 1 month old and 2 months old. Mike showed us the calving gates and reminded us of how a cow will be so protective of her baby calf and how important it is that we respect this . We got to safely pet the calves . Mike then tagged his youngest calf for us and showed us how he dehorns them.
We learned all about bulls in Module 2 .Mike told us about the 2 bulls on his farm and how he keeps safe around them. After these reminders we got to look at the bulls from a very safe distance -showing that we understand how powerful and dangerous these territorial animals can be.
In the slideshow above you can see that Mike told us about the dangers of the slurry pit. He asekd us questions about why this is such a dangerous area on the farm and he was impressed by how much we knew. The slurry pit here was cleaned out so it was safe for Mike to open it and let us see from a safe distance just what a bg danger it is. Then it was time to go spot some danger signs and we were happy to report that Hanrahan's farm has all the warning signs clearly displayed.
The silage pit is another area on the farm that children might think looks like fun but Mike reminded us that it is not a play area. He told us how easily a person could get hurt if they climbed on the pit or stood too close to it. In preparation for the next module Mile showed us his tractors and explained why he never lets his children be around the farm machinery. He explained the power of the PTO and how important it is to make sure that the protective cover is in place. We all understand and appreciate that machinery has helped make the farmer's work easier but we have to always remember the power and size of theses big machines. and why we must be very careful around them-they are not toys.
We spent 4 thoroughly enjoyable hours in the sunshine learning about life on a farm it was time to walk back through the fields to school. But not before a final word of wisdom from Mike who said that he was so impressed by how much we knew and how well we listened that he thought we should have a night off homework!!! What a perfect end to a perfect day.
We want to say Míle Buíochas to Mike, Róisin, Noreen and James for opening up their farm to us and being so generous with their time and knowledge. as well as the delicious treats for adults and children alike. We learned so much more than we could ever learn sitting in the classroom reading and hearing about farm life and farm safety. We also want to say thanks to Siobhán and Niamh for sharing their time and expertise with us.
We are very very grateful and the resounding verdict was that 'IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER'
We want to say Míle Buíochas to Mike, Róisin, Noreen and James for opening up their farm to us and being so generous with their time and knowledge. as well as the delicious treats for adults and children alike. We learned so much more than we could ever learn sitting in the classroom reading and hearing about farm life and farm safety. We also want to say thanks to Siobhán and Niamh for sharing their time and expertise with us.
We are very very grateful and the resounding verdict was that 'IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER'
Module 3
During module 3 we learned about the biggest danger on the farm- the vehicles.
We know that vehicles are very useful in helping the farmer with his/her work on the farm but they are NOT toys for children.
We learned about the blind spot on the tractor and we now know the legal age for driving tractors.
We learned about the PTO and how powerful and dangerous they can be.
We wrote tractor poems and wrote safety lists.
We compared and contrasted vehicles in the past with vehicles in the present.
We discussed the vehicles used each season.
We had great fun making up our own dramas that had to have an important farm safety message.
We watched the webinar and we loved our great surprise message from Alma.
We know that vehicles are very useful in helping the farmer with his/her work on the farm but they are NOT toys for children.
We learned about the blind spot on the tractor and we now know the legal age for driving tractors.
We learned about the PTO and how powerful and dangerous they can be.
We wrote tractor poems and wrote safety lists.
We compared and contrasted vehicles in the past with vehicles in the present.
We discussed the vehicles used each season.
We had great fun making up our own dramas that had to have an important farm safety message.
We watched the webinar and we loved our great surprise message from Alma.
A Great Surprise
Niall and Darragh got a great surprise in the post from the team at Fram Safe Schools to thank them for organising the farm visit for our class and giving us the opportunity to learn so much there that day. Congrats to Darragh Niall and all the safe future farmers of Burgess.