Achievement

As the end of the competition draws near we have realised that what started out as a drive to win has evolved into a gardeners passion. Instead of looking to add things for impact and WOW factor we are nurturing and creating with the plants in mind. Not a day goes by where students don't check in on their growing plants and are heard discussing what to do next. I am permanently bombarded with suggestions, ideas and questions from students moving through the school grounds! Here's hoping they are as focused on other aspects of their learning ?!?

Perhaps the biggest lesson in this gardening project has been the key competency of PATIENCE. As everything has been recycled we couldn't just go out and buy straight away - we searched and asked and found - slowly! Plants grow at their own speed there is no amount of water, worm wee or compost that will hurry them along (trust us we tried!)

We also learnt to flexible in our plans. What started out as 100% edible turned into colourful, 'smelly' and sensory. Watching our Special needs learners interacting in the garden we saw how much they enjoyed the experience - especially feeling the plants. We adjusted the plans and added lamb's ears, mints, lavenders and other plants to touch. Inclusivity!

In all this waiting if we look back it is amazing to realise how much we have achieved together in such a short time.

June 2012


An unused and ugly section of our school field

October 2012

Future
A garden is always a work-in-progress. What an amazing tool to teach students about sustained interests and efforts. Adjusting plans, problem solving and perseverance are all life lessons that come from working with an ever changing garden.

Although the bones of our garden are in, we have so much more planned. The concrete pad and wall are to become a greenhouse (using recycled plastic bottles), another creative mural is getting designed for the wall, the fence line needs to be planted up with passion fruit and other yummy climbers, a berry garden is to go somewhere?? and we have BIG plans for a natives walkway too.

Bringing the garden into the school is also on the students job lists. The iSTW team (I Save the World) have already established a Beneficial Bugs garden where Monarch Butterfly tagging has been somewhat successful. Fingers crossed this season is better - we have lots more Swan Plants ready for eating :) Their beautiful mural has just been unveiled and has created a buzz of excitement - such a gorgeous, eye catching design. Well done kids you are so talented!