TWO Parklands Christian College teachers will be able to take their new cheese making skills to the classroom.
Rebecca Wallis and Dianne Furlonger were among more than 25 teachers from 14 schools who attended the RNA Teachers’ Cheese Making Workshops at the Brisbane Showgrounds from February 6 to 9.
Teachers took lessons from Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show judge Russell Smith, who walked them through creating blue cheese and camembert.
Once back in the classroom, teachers pass on their skills to students who will be eligible to enter the Royal Queensland Show’s Student Made Cheese competition in June
Mr Smith said bringing cheese making into the classroom would offer students a unique educational experience.
“After making the cheese, the students are required to look after them for six weeks before they are judged and the winners are awarded,” he said.
“Because the students are involved with their cheese for an extended time, they gain a much better appreciation of the processes involved in its commercial production.
“Possible career pathways the students could then follow are studies in food science including dairy food science. There are many opportunities for jobs in these industries in Australia.”
The six hour workshops have run annually for nine years and include a combination of theory and practical skills with blue and white mould cheeses.
