The Wicked Patch, continues to grow and provide students with hands-on, outdoor learning experiences.
The ‘Bay friendly’ wicking garden beds each representing one of the six Indigenous seasons, sit alongside raised garden beds, fruit trees, rainwater tank, chickens, worm farms, a 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 fortnightly lessons 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 also supports the Hungry Magpie canteen with produce grown in our garden.
Children are guided in the Garden by their teachers 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
As a member of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation we aim 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.
