Name/s of key staff to contact and position: Katie Wallace, Deputy Principal.

Year of commencement of School Kitchen Garden:

In 2010 we  began preparing the garden with students and in 2011 gardens were established and vegetables were grown.

How did your School Kitchen Garden start?

Through discussion with the Principal, Dave Thomas, as an extension project for our academically talented and gifted students. Students then surveyed the students and staff to determine level of interest. Students then sought donations from local businesses and BHP Billiton for funding. With the financial assistance raised and help from MAMs- a locally owned company we were able to begin our garden.

Which have been the biggest challenges in the process which you have overcome?

Time and man power. It would be wonderful to employ someone to maintain the garden and guide teachers in learning opportunities for the students on a regular basis.

What has been the most successful aspect of the kitchen garden

The quality and amount of vegetables we have been able to grow. Also the addition of chickens, ducks and geese to our garden. They have been a great source of learning and enjoyment for all students and staff.

What advice would you give to schools considering starting up a kitchen garden?

Ensure you allow for plenty of space as once you start with the garden beds you just want to keep adding to it. There are so many learning opportunities for the students from measuring the space, to establishing the garden, to planting the vegetables and then cooking or selling them. It is an exciting project and one certainly worth doing.

Comments from students (Questions asked included ’What have you learnt from your school garden? Have you tried to grow any of the same produce at home? What is the best thing about your school kitchen garden?):

• How to grow vegetables and how to care for chickens and geese.
• Yes I have grown tomatoes and I know others who have grown broccoli and lettuce.
• The best thing about the garden is we get to do our lessons outside and it teaches us to grow things. I like selling the vegetables to the public at our assemblies on Fridays as well.

http://www.bfa.com.au/SchoolGardens.aspx

http://slowfoodperth.org.au/projects/school-gardens/

http://www.communitygardenswa.org.au/

The central tenet of EON is to help improve the opportunities for indigenous people, particularly children, by working with them to initiate and support grassroots health, education, training and employment programs.

check them out here – http://www.eon.org.au/

Name of School: Yandeyarra Remote Community School

Name/s of key staff to contact and position:  Jessica Albers

Contact: E: Jessica.Albers@det.wa.edu.au    T: 9176 4932

Year of commencement of School Kitchen Garden: 2010

How did your School Kitchen Garden start?

Following the student’s participation in the Care for Hedland Cash for Trash program, we had an above ground planter donated to us. The kids, gardener and community members assisted in building a shade house to grow our vegetables, planting seeds and caring for the garden.  YIC (Youth Involvement Council), BHP and Care for Hedland had provided us project funding for our garden. 

Which have been the biggest challenges in the process which you have overcome?

Keeping up constant water, getting good soil and keeping the kids out when the tomatoes are ripe!  Sun and wind protection are a must – the area needs to be shaded and out of the harsh winds.

What has been the most successful aspect of the kitchen garden?

The tomato plants – we have some lovely big ones and they are very sweet!

What advice would you give to schools considering starting up a kitchen garden?

Seek advice from someone who knows and make sure you have people who are committed, motivated and are willing to take ownership.

Comments from Students

I have learnt that you need to put shad on top and a gate around it to stop people and animals going in. – Jessica, Year 7

Plants need lots of water and shade. – Lilla, Year 7

Name/s of key staff to contact and position: Alan Potter (Principal)

Year of commencement of School Kitchen Garden: 2008

How did your School Kitchen Garden start?

A garden was started in 2008, however the main garden started in 2009. In 2011, each class was given a veggie patch to care for. Our school runs the ‘Friday Feast’, which is where a class is responsible for cooking lunch for all the students and staff within the school. Our aim of the garden was to grow food to use in the Friday feast. For example, one year we had a lot of zucchini, so we made zucchini slice for lunch!

Which have been the biggest challenges in the process which you have overcome?

Despite being the hottest town in Australia, there haven’t really been any challenges or barriers. Sometimes we don’t have as many helpers as we need, but we all put in a bit of extra time.

What has been the most successful aspect of the kitchen garden?

All the kids getting involved. They are responsible for the planting of the seeds, watering, weeding. They are all excited and enthusiastic about it, and we even put extra seeds in little pots for the kids to take home.

What advice would you give to schools considering starting up a kitchen garden?

Have a purpose for the food you grow.  It doesn’t matter if the kids eat the food before it gets inside to cook- they are just really excited about it!

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