Three schools each received funds to help them be part of the Organic School Gardens Program which encourages students to learn about sustainability, biodiversity and healthy eating. These grants were made possible by the Bendigo Bank Clifton Hill /North Fitzroy Branch who are part of the Local Schools Local Heroes Program - which creates opportunities for schools to build partnerships with local business and community organisations. 

These exciting school projects were recently captured on film. Follow this facebook link to see the difference that these grants and the Organic School Gardens Program are making to the students at these schools. 

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At Sophia Mundi Steiner School, students in year 3 have planted grains of wheat, rye, barley and oats. The students are involved in all the processes from harvesting, threshing, to grinding grains for flour to make bread. With traditional scythes they reaped a bumper crop and at the start of the 2013 school year, students will thresh and grind the grains in preparation for baking bread for the autumn festival.

Throughout 2012 the children have used a variety of the Organic Schools lessons including studies of where their food comes from, how plants grow and what elements are needed for plant life to survive, and crop rotation for optimum production and soil and plant disease aversion. 

Their grant money has supported the establishment of a sustainable school garden, allowing for  the purchase of a hot house, rainwater tank, worm farm, irrigation, garden tools, mulch, garden beds, fencing and stakes.

The school has built the garden project as part of a new creative space at their new Thornbury campus. The schools existing outdoor space was only a backyard, and not suitable for growing anything!

By the end of 2012 the grant has allowed the school to complete construction of three garden beds suitable for growing organic vegetables, two garden sheds, compost bin and a worm farm. Students found early success with strawberries and herbs and planted broadbeans to eat and provide nitrogen enrichment for the beds.

The program has enhanced the understanding of organic principles and the benefits of organic gardening throughout the school community. The children have become more actively involved in gardening as part of the school timetable. Many children who had not had any previous gardening experience have now become keen gardeners.

The children who had done gardening prior to the project assist those that are new to it in understanding the processes required to raise a plant from seed through to the harvest stage. They are also able to make the connections between literacy and numeracy in gardening – instructions, plant depth, seasons, dates, watering requirements etc. The children have as a result of this then made requests to their parents for greater access to gardening opportunities and are willing volunteers for garden associated tasks.

‘“Having the grant has allowed our school to realise the edible garden project on a larger, more sustainable scale. The students can now take part in gardening activities as part of the school curriculum and many parents have become involved in the project.”

 Claire Collings, Teacher, Fitzroy Community School

Merri Creek Primary School is busily planning their new vegetable and sensory gardens with the school community including parent landscapers and architects. The students, families and staff are involved in the expansion of their current tiny patch - to a new home 5 metres east and into the sunlight! 

The school has an embedded approach to sustainability and is keen to increase classroom interest through a new veggie patch. The use of the Organic School Gardens Program lessons will expand the students knowledge of such topics as, food production, the impact of large scale farming, and teach children to be responsible members of the global community. 

By spring they will be on their way to a bigger patch in the sun!