Kitchen Garden News

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Welcome to 2020 Collingwood students and families.

REMOTE KITCHEN GARDEN LEARNING

Dear Collingwood College community, I hope this Kitchen Garden newsletter finds you all well and hopefully feeling positive as we welcome all of our students back to face to face learning next Wednesday.

I know many of us have had personal and family difficulties of many types during this time, so I really hope these ease, for us all. I would like to send a HUGE sincere thank-you to all parents and carers of students in Kitchen Garden classes for your support of your child/s continued Kitchen Garden learning during this remote schooling phase. I have genuinely felt very privileged to receive considerable correspondence from families, as students have shared their versions of the many flexible tasks set for them over this Term. I have enjoyed seeing and reading about how students (with parental support if needed) have individualised the activities to suit their home circumstances. A huge congratulations to students and their supportive families for all that you have achieved.

With complete understanding, in some families, K.G tasks have not suited a family’s circumstances during this time. This is a reality that is more than understandable, and I look forward to seeing all Grade 3> 6 students and continuing their Kitchen garden learning journey with them.

Below is a small snapshot of Kitchen garden students remote learning activities, showcasing the diversity of student’s presentation styles-video, photographic, Power-point, hand-written, typed, painted. 

Well done Kitchen Garden students!

As always "garden, cook and share with those you love"

Desley

WEEK 1

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

WEEK 9

WEEK 10

Garden News

WEEK 2 - SALAD

WEEK 6 - GROWING FOOD

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

Volunteer Information Kit

Permission Forms, Media & Allergy for Volunteers