Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden 

Sonia Nista 

Kitchen Specialist

As we reach the end of another busy and rewarding term in the Kitchen Program, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all that our students have experienced and achieved. The term has truly flown by and it has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm, curiosity and teamwork students bring to each session.

All students began the term strong, taking in the sights and smells of the summer garden during a garden walk and appreciating all that it had to offer. With an abundance of zucchini, cucumbers, corn, basil, pears and tomatoes, students were able to harvest fresh produce and transform it into an array of delicious dishes.

This term’s menus included zucchini, corn and haloumi fritters served with Tzatziki and baked pita chips, a fresh tomato and cucumber salad with warm bread rolls, and pear crumble muffins. These hands-on cooking experiences allowed students to develop their confidence in the kitchen while exploring new flavours and techniques. A highlight in the final week was making yummy, warm Hot Cross Buns, a fun and delicious way to end the term!

Our Year 3 students also worked hard to practise their safe knife skills, earning their knife licences and proudly preparing zucchini and banana muffins. It has been wonderful to see their growing independence and confidence in the kitchen.

The connection between the garden and kitchen continues to be a highlight of the program, helping students understand where their food comes from and encouraging an appreciation for seasonal, fresh ingredients.

A big thank you to our incredible volunteers. Your time, patience and support make such a difference and we are so grateful for the role you play in making each session a success.

As we head into the break, we encourage families to continue involving children in cooking at home, whether it’s helping prepare a meal, trying a new recipe, or simply setting the table. These small moments help reinforce the skills and confidence they’ve been building all term.

Thank you again for a fantastic term. We look forward to another exciting season of cooking and learning next term!