Lettuce learn from gardening kids

CALOUNDRA WEEKLY   Wednesday  April 6, 2011
Lettuce learn from gardening kids

CALOUNDRA Primary School Year 5 students have been busy little bees since the first sod was turned for their edible garden.  Last week’s rain gave the ground a good soaking ready for herbs, fruit and vegetables to be planted.
The fruits of their labour will be harvested throughout the year.

Garden variety

Students grow fresh produce in school veg patch  By Nicole Fuge
PROUD parents of Year 5 students at Caloundra Primary School will go one step further than hanging their children’s school work on the fridge.

They’re going to eat it.

But it’snot a nibble at a dry macaroni necklace as the kids will be bringing home fresh produce from their own vegetable garden.
Deputy principal Brendan Bopf said it was a case of all hands on deck when students, staff and parents pitched in to help with the latest project.
“All the Years 5s were out for the day setting up the garden” Mr Bopf said.
“It’s a community project driven by our P&C, mainly Yvette Wensley and Angie Cornwell, and we’ve employed Leonie Shanahan from Edible School Gardens.
“We received a grant for $25,000 through the government and leonie comes and works with our Year 5s for the entire year...they learn to design through cultivation.
“It will continue, as we will make it part of our Year 5 curriculum.”

Mr Bopf said all students at the school would have access to enjoy the garden, not just the Year 5s.
He said it was an extension of the Thursday Garden Gurus  group.
“They get their aprons  on and enjoy getting their hands dirty,” he said.
“All the kids are involved, but mainly Year 5s.

“It’s a good age when they can be productive.  The Preps have their won tank garden and before and after school care have a tank garden.”
Mr Bopf said herbs, fruit and vegetables of all varieties were now being grown at the school.
“Anything you see on the table they’ll be planting,” he said.
“Each week the Year 5s go out in groups of seven, Leonie takes them down and they maintain and harvest.

“There will be different harvesting times and small group activities with a professional gardener with the aim of using the food to go home with the kids and used in our tuckshop.”
Mr Bopf said last week’s wet weather fell at the perfect time, just after the sod was turned and garden prepped.
“I don’t envy the classes around the garden with all this fertiliser,” Mr Bopf said with a laugh.

Fast Facts
A government grant for $25,ooo helped to set up the garden
Each week the Year 5s go out in groups of seven
The aim is for the food to go home with students or be used in school’s tuckshop