Kitchen Garden News
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation Newsletter
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WELCOME TO 2018
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the 2018 school year. Ben and I are excited to teach and support your child's learning journey this year in our school Kitchen Garden Program. Our school garden has benefitted from the summer downpours and our students have arrived back to an edible jungle! Over the next few weeks there will be tasks such as harvesting summer crops, seed saving, composting, weeding, mulching the exposed soil and most importantly observing and exploring all the exciting seasonal changes that have occurred over the school break.
The fruit trees are in fantastic condition and the school hatched chickens are now inquisitive "teenagers". Please also be aware all students need to wear closed toe shoes to the garden, sun hats and sun-smart clothes.
In the kitchen classes we will start the year with revisiting our kitchen learning goals, basic knife skills, safe tool use and sharing our food stories from the summer break. We will then start our cooking lessons using our beautiful summer crops, such as: zucchini, tomatoes, beans, apples, plums, leafy greens and herbs. Please remind your child on kitchen days they need to wear closed toe shoes, tie their hair back and wear clothes that are not a fire hazard (e.g. long flowing sleeves, scarves, hats). I would also love to know about your family's favourite dishes/recipes/food rituals (preserving, bees, sausage making). Please ask your child to share these with kids in the kitchen classroom. Photograph, recipes, books and edible examples are also very welcome!
We would also appreciate your support on the prompt return to classroom teachers the 2018 Kitchen Garden medical/dietary/media permission forms that need to be printed, filled out and returned to your childs teacher in the first week of school. These documents are a important resource in our planning to support all students.
Thank-you very much for your support,
Desley Insall
Kitchen Specialist & Volunteer Coordinator
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Collingwood College
Email: insall.desley.d@edumail.vic.gov.au
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 occurs 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 students 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, newsletter, 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
(see forms below)
Please look at our school website (K.G page), if you are new to our school community for more information. Classes run in the kitchen Monday-Wednesday and garden Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
For those who may want to support our students and teachers in another way-we are always thankful 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