Primary School Kitchen Garden News

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Kitchen-Garden News - 15th September, 2021

Wominjeka students and families,

August 31 >October 25 –marks in the Wurundjeri traditional seasonal calendarWintoonth Wootanbaj- Jumbunna – Regeneration and Women’s Business

As we come to the end of Term 3 and the blossoms are bursting in our school garden, I wish to thank and acknowledge the excellent effort from grade 5 and 6 students and the families who have supported them at home, for their continued engagement in the Kitchen Garden curriculum. What an example of resilience and creativity!  You have all done your best for your K.G learning with your own unique circumstances and I can only thank-you again for these efforts. 

Please enjoy seeing the creativity, problem solving and independence that the students have demonstrated, as they completed their chosen flexible K.G remote activities. It has been a joy to receive the submissions via email or Seesaw. 

Remote Learning Images:

Sadhbh - 'My Food Inks'

Garden Update: The zoned irrigation system is now connected via wifi. As you will see from the attached video-the magic is happening! 

I have now programmed the watering system, which uses the internet to gather forecasted weather information, such as wind, humidity and rain forecasts. We are now only using our 20,000 litre tank water during Term 3 and therefore we have been able to reduce our mains water consumption and therefore our school water costs.

Garden Photos

Collaborative Chinese Mid-Year Festival Project:

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, Butterfly plant, Daisies-all varieties & colours, no-thorn roses, natives.
• Red and purple foliage plants, e.g. red Canna, dwarf Tradesecantia, Berginia, Lamium, Salvias(Blue & Pink), Bloodleaf

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