By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
BUDDING gardeners at The Patch Primary School are bloomin’ excited about their award-winning garden program.
The primary school is a finalist for the Eastern Metropolitan Region in the School Garden Awards, presented by the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria and the education department. The award recognises a garden that was designed, built, planted and is now cared for by Grade 5 and 6 students.
The project attracts wildlife, facilitates outdoor learning and includes a meditation space and soundscape.
Assistant principal and environmental educator Michelle Rayner said that students were involved in the entire process, which focused on sustainability in gardening.
“They completely designed the garden and chose what features they wanted. They learn Japanese and decided to incorporate an element of that into the design.
“The Grade 5s and 6s have taken extraordinary ownership of the garden and show a great amount of pride in their work. There are multiple learning outcomes with a project like this.”
Environmental studies take a significant role in the school’s curriculum, with students attending a specialist environment class every week.
The garden program has been running since 2009 and has already received several awards, including a prize for outstanding continuous achievement last year.
The school has progressed to the state finals, which will be held at the Royal Botanic Gardens on 26 November. No matter what the result, Michelle says the environmental education program at the school will remain strong.
“We’re teaching that the garden is a continuous and sustained effort. It needs constant care and attention and the kids really take pride in that.”
