‘Healthy Eating, Healthy Living’

Bouchier Street Primary School

‘Healthy Eating, Healthy Living’

After completing the ‘Values and Vision’ workshop, a group of grade 3 and 4 students identified their passion to be living a healthier lifestyle. They wanted to build a veggie garden that would be completely self sufficient and sustainable for years to come.

There was a large empty space behind some classrooms that was not being utilised. Together, they drew a plan of what they wanted including, a veggie patch, chicken patch and worm farm. After the students completed the “Time, Talent, Treasure” workshop, they identified specifically what they needed to make it happen and started contacting the local community.
After writing letters and making phone calls to a variety of places, they connected with Bunning’s who donated vegetable seeds and potting mixture. A group of students went to Bunning’s and participated in a gardening workshop to learn how to start, grow and maintain a garden. These students then developed lesson plans to teach the students in other classes what they had learned. A relationship has been built between Bunning’s and Bouchier street and the sessions are going to continue.
Research and inquiry into what veggies and plants are suitable during what time is currently underway. The vision for next year is to build a chicken pen, develop the garden and have continuous training and workshops. The students have linked with the Special needs school next door and now share access to their kitchen. The plan is to develop and research recipes so they can use the fresh produce in creating healthy, tasty food.

A working bee is being organised for a weekend to get parents involved, a roster will be set up so over the holidays the students will continue to look after the garden. Students are looking into granting and funding they might be able to apply for.

The networks and partnerships that are being created are working well and are proving to improve school and community camaraderie.