Primary School Kitchen Garden News
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Kitchen-Garden News - 18th March, 2021
Wominjeka students and families,
March 16 – April 12,marks in the Wurundjeri traditional seasonal calendar- Woondabbil Tadool-Marguk – Thunderstorm and rug sewing season.
First Nation peoples' traditional seasonal knowledge is determined by observable conditions such as humidity, dewpoints, sunlight angles, radiant heat, wind patterns, warmth and wetness of topsoil, temperatures, growth of plants, activities of bees, water levels of creeks and migration of animals.
As we garden, we develop our sensory garden knowledge by observing the sun, clouds, wind, insects, animals, plant and soil conditions and tune our hearing to the sounds of nature amongst our own garden chatter!
Garden classes have focused on harvesting all our ready crops during this transitional seasonal time. Harvest has included corn, tomatoes, zucchini, quinces, radish, purple congo potatoes and small capsicums. Great excitement was had with a joint garden class. Each student observed the quince trees and estimated the number of quinces on these 2 trees. Each class then harvested and sorted the quinces from their allocated tree. Quinces were grouped into “tens” and the counting began! The final number of quinces was 258, excluding tubs of very damaged quinces not counted (quince jelly in the making)! The 6 students with the closet number received the prize of working with me to develop next week's seasonal menu, from their ideas and food preferences. Stay tuned for their creative ideas in the next newsletter.
Numeracy Skills in the garden:
Garden produce was studied closely by students as they practised their botanical drawing skills. Each student concentrating on the form, colour, details of the plant species. Short written pieces describing their garden activity documents their foundation skills and knowledge.
I am very pleased to welcome Polytechnic TAFE teachers, Chloe and David with their students to our school as we begin our partnership sharing our garden resources. Our school will benefit greatly from this partnership, as these TAFE students assist me in the maintenance of the K.G garden and Trevor in the whole school gardens. Chloe teaches fruit tree pruning and David, organic pest management strategies. Their TAFE students are very excited to be learning horticulture skills and knowledge, using our beautiful garden resources and all have commented that they wished they had our students curriculum opportunities in their schooling days.
Kitchen classes have focused on the preparation of quinces and importantly the knife safety needed in this laborious process. Quinces were poached slowly in a vanilla bean stock, damaged quince were not wasted but boiled for a quince stock, ready to make quince jelly. Many students tried this beautiful fruit for their first time with mixed opinions of enjoyment! Green (unripe) tomatoes were used in a delicious Mexican braised dish and a mixed tomato salsa, prompting a discussion regarding cultural food preferences, such as “ unripe” or crunchy green tomatoes used in salsa and salads in Central American countries such as Mexico.
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.
- Worm juice-if you have extra at home.
- 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.
GARDEN PHOTOS
Recipes
Term 1 - Menu 3
Our Quinces poached in a Vanilla Bean & Lemon Stock
Coleslaw: Cabbage, Radish, Carrots, Apples & Cucumber Salad with Garden Herbs
Mexican Spiced Braised Purple Congo Potatoes, Zucchini, Green Tomatoes & Kale
Herbed Baked Ricotta with Tomato Salsa
Our Corn, steamed with an Asian Dressing
Photos from Kitchen Classes:
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