By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Ferny Creek Primary School’s veggie garden has won the prestigious Victorian Schools Garden Award from the Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP).
The award was presented at the Botanic Gardens in Melbourne on Thursday 21 November, recognising the exceptional efforts of students, staff, and the local community in creating and maintaining a thriving garden.
The garden has quickly become a central part of school life, offering students the chance to engage in hands-on learning about sustainability, food production, and teamwork.
For many of the school’s students, the veggie garden is more than just a place to grow plants – it’s an exciting opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to a shared project.
Nine year old Bella in grade three said her favourite part of the garden is watching the plants grow and caring for them.
“I love watering the plants because it’s healthy for them, and it’s fun to plant,” she said, adding that she enjoys learning how to look after the plants, so they stay strong enough to eat.
Bella also finds joy in the process of watching the garden evolve, from planting the seeds to seeing the vegetables take shape.
Remy, an eight year old student in grade two, is also passionate about the garden.
“I feel proud to have helped with the weekly classes,” he said.
“We worked hard to help it grow, and it’s amazing to see it win an award.”
Remy enjoys the rewards of seeing the plants flourish, and he is particularly proud to be part of a project that is now recognised for its success.
Similarly, Lulu, a seven year old from grade one, loves the process of sowing seeds and planting little plants.
“My favourite part is sowing the seeds because it’s really fun,” she said, adding that she’s excited to have played a part in making the garden such a success.
The school principal Anni Smart sees the garden as more than just a space for growing food.
She believes it is an essential educational tool that integrates multiple areas of learning, including science, maths, and english.
“The garden connects our school and community, while supporting the curriculum in many ways,” she said.
“It’s an opportunity for students to not only learn about the environment and sustainability but also to develop practical life skills – through the garden, students gain a better understanding of where food comes from and the importance of growing their own food.”
The success of the garden is a result of strong teamwork and collaboration.
Ms Smart praised the hard work and dedication of the teachers, parents, and community volunteers who have supported the project.
“This garden is a reflection of what happens when we all come together with a shared goal,” she said.
“It’s wonderful to see how much the students have learned and how proud they are of what they’ve achieved.”
One of the key aspects of the veggie garden’s success has been the involvement of parents and community members.
Beck Sanderson, a parent volunteer who has been instrumental in revitalising the garden, shared how the project began.
“When my son started at the school in 2022, I noticed that the garden had been overrun with weeds during the COVID lockdowns,” she said.
“My husband and I saw potential in the space and decided to get involved. It took about a week of hard work to clear out the weeds and get the garden ready, but after that, we were joined by amazing parents, teachers, and community members who helped bring the garden back to life.”
Ms Sanderson said the garden was nearly lost due to the challenges of the pandemic, but through the collective efforts of volunteers, it was restored and turned into a great learning space.
“It’s been incredible to see the garden transform, and it’s even more rewarding to watch the students get involved,” she said.
“When I first asked the kids where food came from, most of them said ‘the shop.’ Now, they’re learning about the microbes in the soil that help plants grow, and they’re so excited to talk about the food they’ve helped grow.”
The school is also looking forward to expanding the garden further – Ms Sanderson shared plans for a new outdoor learning space adjacent to the veggie patch.
“We want to create a space where students can take their classroom lessons outside and experience nature firsthand,” she said.
“We’re hoping to secure funding to build seating and learning areas, and eventually, we’d love to add a pizza oven so the kids can cook the food they’ve grown and eat it right there in the garden – it’s an exciting vision, and we’re working hard to make it happen.”
For Ms Sanderson, the most rewarding part of the garden has been watching the students develop not only their gardening skills but also a sense of community.
“It’s been amazing to see the kids come together, build friendships, and learn to work as a team,” she said.
“The garden has given them a sense of ownership and pride, and it’s clear that they’re genuinely excited about the work they’re doing. When I told the kids that we had won the award, the energy in the room was incredible – there were smiles, high-fives, and so much pride in what they had accomplished.”
The veggie garden has become a place where students learn more than just how to plant and harvest food—they also develop important life skills like patience, responsibility, and teamwork.
“Gardening is about so much more than just growing plants,” Ms Sanderson said.
“It’s about connecting with nature, developing problem-solving skills, and understanding the value of working together – it’s been amazing to watch the students grow in so many ways, both personally and academically.”
As the school celebrates its award, the future of the veggie garden looks bright. With plans for further expansion and new initiatives to enhance outdoor learning, the garden will continue to be a place where students can connect with nature, learn new skills, and develop a greater understanding of sustainability.
The success of the project is a testament to what can be achieved when a school community comes together with a shared vision and a commitment to helping students grow in every sense of the word.
