St Joseph's Clubs -

Gardening Club

A lunchtime school garden club offers students a hands-on, engaging way to connect with nature and learn practical skills outside the traditional classroom setting. Gardening encourages curiosity and creativity, giving students the chance to explore topics like plant biology, ecology, and sustainability in an interactive environment. Working together in the garden fosters teamwork, patience, and responsibility, as members learn to care for plants over time and see the direct results of their efforts.

Beyond academic enrichment, a school garden club supports students’ mental and physical well-being. Time spent outdoors among greenery has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance focus—benefits that can positively impact learning throughout the rest of the day. Tending to a garden also promotes healthy eating habits, as students often become more willing to try fresh fruits and vegetables they have grown themselves. Additionally, the club builds a sense of community and pride in the school environment, as the shared garden becomes a vibrant, living space that students, staff, and even families can enjoy.

At St Joseph’s, we are so lucky to have our Secret Garden, lovingly tended by the students in Garden Club. They delight in the changes they see across the seasons, the different creatures they discover, and the (literal) fruits of their labour. In caring for this space, the children are learning what it means to be stewards of God’s creation—nurturing life, respecting the environment, and recognising the gift of the natural world entrusted to us. They take pride in caring for the garden, enthusiastically weeding, harvesting, watering, and exploring. The garden is not only a place of beauty and growth but also a source of joy, learning, and community for our school.

Siobhan O'Dwyer

Sustainability Leader