Primary School Kitchen Garden News

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Kitchen-Garden News - 16th August, 2021

Wominjeka students and families,

August 3rd-30th,marks in the Wurundjeri traditional seasonal calendar – Nangbik Ningak – Morning Frost and Bark Harvesting Season 

During Semester 2, we welcomed grade 5 and 6 students back to their Kitchen Garden classes. It was just wonderful to greet these students and to be able to start their Semester by exploring the seasonal changes in the garden and doing some basic maintenance tasks together. As with all our students, the continuing COVID 19 have unfortunately impacted the lessons again. However, there was a bright spark for us all, when these students welcomed and met their K.G volunteers for the first time since Term 1, 2020! The volunteers were also super pleased to be able to volunteer again and get to know students, as well as meet students they may have worked with over past years. All volunteers have shared to me how important their volunteering role is to them and how much they miss the students and K.G activities during lockdowns. I and the students appreciate their commitment enormously.

Kitchen Garden Book Covers:

Some very exciting news, has been the complete overhaul of our broken irrigation system over the Term break by Ash and his team from Ploterra Landscapers. As you will see from the images, it was a huge, messy and involved job over 7-8 days, however, we now have the latest zoned irrigation system that will also be connected via wifi. As explained to the students, I will be able to zone and time the watering of the plants to suit their needs from the comfort of a “banana lounge in Tahiti” once wifi connected! We are just waiting for a outside wifi booster to be installed for this magic to happen.

Irrigation System Works:

Our winter garden has been growing well, with students excellent care when watering, feeding plants with worm juice and compost has ensured strong and healthy plants. The snail/slug traps and cabbage moth decoys are working very well. Signs of the coming warmer weather is showing in the garden with the Spring bulbs and Almond blossom bursting. Students have planted many flowers seeds, such as Cornflowers, Calendula, California Poppies, Aquilegia, Cosmos in large swathes for attracting and feeding beneficial insects. Succession planting of Sprouting Broccoli, Broad beans, Carrots, Beetroot and Radishes has been done. 

Garden Diary Entries:

Garden Maps

Harvest Records

Our week of cooking before lockdown 6 was full of student excitement to be back in the kitchen classroom. As volunteers are not allowed in again, we had a rotation of 1st year student teachers. These people were very impressed and quite amazed at the level of capabilities, engagement and skills all grade 5 and 6 students displayed. 

Students now have a selection of flexible K.G themed remote learning activities and as you can see from the images, there are many students demonstrating their skills and knowledge at home, making some delicious food to share with families.

Remote Learning Images:

Recipes:

Beetroot & Chocolate Cakes, Edible Flowers

Gnocchi with Fried Sage, garlic & carrot tops

Citrus Cupcakes

Chargrilled Pumpkin Slices - Tahini & Soy Dressing and Mixed Seeds

Winter Orange, Lettuce & Date Salad

Winter Tabbouleh

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