Primary School Kitchen Garden News 2

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Kitchen-Garden News - 27th May, 2022

Wominjeka students and families,

In the Wurundjeri traditional seasonal calendar, May 11 – August 2 marks the season of  Berrentak Darr Karr - Cold West Wind and Artefact Making.  

In the garden, we discuss this First Nation people’s traditional seasonal knowledge as we look, feel and imagine our Collingwood school grounds as they were for Wurundjeri people. We try to get our heads around our colonial societies arbitrary use of the European seasonal words- Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter when our landscapes and weather patterns are different. We discuss the Wurundjeri local knowledge and skill of observing conditions such as humidity, dewpoints, sunlight angles, radiant heat, wind patterns, warmth and wetness of topsoil, temperatures, growth of plants, activities of bees, as we practise looking deeply to what is actually occurring in our environment as we garden. Conversations and questions continue.

Last week across Australia, volunteers and their positive impact were acknowledged and celebrated with National Volunteers Week.

Within our Kitchen Garden program, our volunteer team are the key ingredient that brings support, diversity, good humour and enable a richness to the curriculum activities in the garden and kitchen classroom. It would be very difficult to achieve this without these amazing people. Volunteers donate their time every week and form wonderful relationships with their group of students and each other. Every one of these people are invaluable to the success of our students individual learning, as they support myself and learn alongside students. I am always thankful for their continued commitment and in awe of their generosity to our school. 

Please let me introduce this wonderful team of people:

• Susan Williams- volunteer of 21 years
• Merran Fergusson-volunteer of 21 years
• Susie Morris-volunteer of 4+ years
• Julie Fergussson-volunteer of 8 years
• Zak Hayn-volunteer of 3+ years
• Nicole Beilby- volunteer-welcome back again
• Anna Ephraim-welcome
• Allan Walker-welcome
• Kerry Levier-retired staff member and now volunteer-welcome
• Luisa Cordoba Rodriguez-retired and congratulations on the birth of your daughter

I am seeking more volunteers for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday am lessons - Please contact me if you are interested via

desley.insall@education.vic.gov.au

Recipes

Baked Kale

Red Lentil Dahl & Fresh Garam Masala Mix

Orecchiette

Orecchiette with Chillie, Tuscan Kale, Herbs & Cream

Napoli Sauce

Basic Semolina Pasta - Capunti

Roasted Zucchini, Squash, Pumpkin with Tahini Dressing

Perfect Salad Greens with edible Weeds, Eggs, Perfect Dressing

As always….. when you can “garden, cook and share with those you love”

Desley Insall

Resources needed if you have any at home:

• Creative & fun clothing appropriate for Scarecrows-varying sizes
• Assorted coloured wool or string.
• Potted cuttings of beneficial insect attracting plants eg: Lavender, Echinacea, Salvias, Daisies-all varieties & colours, no-thorn roses, natives.

***Please drop into the office or to K.G room Monday> Wednesday.

About the Kitchen Garden Program

Collingwood College students participate in our Kitchen Garden Program as part of their school curriculum in Grades 3-6. Garden classroom occur outside in all weather conditions, with students learning, exploring and practising the skills and knowledge to grow a diverse range of vegetables, fruit and herbs using organic growing methods. Students then harvest our seasonal produce for cooking a range of (95% vegetarian) delicious dishes in their kitchen classroom. The student’s learn and practise kitchen skills, techniques and terminology and also importantly, their communication skills, creativity and teamwork while dishes are being prepared.

Students, staff and volunteers sit at beautifully set tables sharing the dishes created. Voicing opinions respectfully, as all students can benefit from sharing their individual learning efforts. Knowledge is documented in Kitchen garden books and shared to our school community via email, E/news, display boards and importantly by our students.

For our students, an integral part of the enjoyment and richness of the classroom experience is the depth and loyalty of volunteering we have for our school program. These exceptional people of all ages, interests, backgrounds and skills ensure our curriculum goals are supported for our students.  Potential volunteers do not need garden or cooking experience! Attributes we seek are a personal interest to support our K.G program philosophy, assisting students in their learning around food diversity, seasonality, sustainability, garden and cooking skills. The K.G learning importantly supports and explores student’s emotional connection and enjoyment in regards to growing and cooking seasonal food. Good humour and the excitement of learning new skills and knowledge in a shared environment, the ability to commit to a day/time are also attributes we seek in our volunteers.

We welcome applications from persons in our school community, or friends/family who wish to apply to be a Kitchen garden volunteer. Please send an email to me at

Insall.desley.d@edumail.vic.gov.au

Please look at our school website (K.G page), if you are new to our school community for more information. Classes run in Monday-Wednesday. 

For those who may want to support our students and teachers in another way-we are always thank-full for people to garden outside class times or on other days. Please feel free to email me with any questions. Tours for potential volunteers will usually occur after school hours with arrangement.

With thanks,

Desley Insall

Kitchen Garden Specialist Teacher & Volunteer Coordinator