Kitchen Garden News

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Kitchen-Garden News

Kitchen Garden news - Term 4

Wominjeka Collingwood families and community,

Now November's weather is warming considerably, we have entered into the Wurundjeri traditional season known as Myrnong Kulin-Jumbunna (Yam Daisy Harvest & Men's Business Season) Oct 26> Dec 22. 

Once again, Kitchen Garden students have been busy in our edible garden, as spent plants have been harvested for their seeds and greenery chopped to be added to the compost. Excess seeds such as: parsley, calendula, poppy, forget-me-not and silverbeet were shared to take home, with students enjoying making and decorating their seed packets. 

Seed Saving Photos:

Seed Packaging Photos:

Garden tasks have included: sieving compost to assist the growth of the summer seedlings: tomatoes, capsicum, eggplant, zucchini, pumpkins. Teamwork has been evident when building wonderfully sturdy tomato trellis, and with the care of mulching around young seedlings. 

Our Garden Photos:

Harvest Photos:

Kitchen classes continue to be impacted by COVID 19 restrictions, however students have demonstrated adaptability and resilience by their positive attitudes to the class curriculum changes. We continue to theme our lessons around food that can be made individually and taken home to share. 

Gingerbread as an “edible gift” was the focus this week! Students enjoyed the camaraderie when rolling “their portion” of dough, choosing their shapes for cutting, all the while happily chatting together. 

Well done students!

Desley

RECIPES

Gingerbread & Royal Icing

Gingerbread Baking:

Gingerbread Packaging Artwork:

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