Our school vegetable garden, The Wicked Patch, continues to grow and provide the students with hands-on, outdoor learning experiences.
The garden consists of “Bay friendly” wicking garden beds, a garden where each bed represents one of the six Indigenous seasons, raised garden beds, fruit trees, rainwater tank, chickens, worm farms, compost area as well as propagation and work areas. A well-equipped shipping container forms the hub of our kitchen area.
Our gardening practice is based on organic and sustainable principles. Year 3 classes enjoy their fortnightly lessons in the garden and kitchen where they plant, weed, water, harvest and turn the produce they have grown into delicious and healthy dishes to share with their classmates. The Wicked Patch also offers Students with Additional Needs in Years 4 to 6 the opportunity to develop Life Skills by participating in gardening and cooking lessons that cater to their needs.
The Wicked Patch supports the Hungry Magpie canteen which uses produce grown in our garden by the students in their menu items.
The children are guided in the Garden by Emma Walker and in the Kitchen by Lisa Pointon, who along with classroom teachers work with the children to:
- raise their awareness of where their food comes from
- make connections to the world around them through real-life experiences
- learn how to care for their environment sustainably
- explore new food experiences
- learn about healthy eating
- develop food preparation and cooking skills
- prepare food to share with others
- develop positive social and interpersonal skills
- improve their social and emotional health
- develop a love of cooking, gardening and the outdoors
We are a member of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation whose vision is for children to form positive food habits for life through pleasurable food education which teaches students to grow fresh, seasonal produce and use it to prepare nutritious, delicious food.
Students are given all the skills, experiences and role modelling they need to learn to love their veggies and make healthier choices about what to cook and eat, for life.
