On the sometimes sunny (see photos!) West Coast, Te Tai Poutini students have just had an exciting, busy and productive term.
Guided by Brett Mawson, Environment and Sustainability Lead teacher, Ms Adams and Groundsman, Sean, students undertook an Edible Garden project that should see a range of fruit and vegetable become available in the future.
Brett tells us how it unfolded:
Eliza and Tilly clean up and organise the new potting shed.
It began with Groundsman Sean and I (while being assessed by Principal Ross Brockbank) mix the cement for the piles for the potting shed to be placed in the edible gardens. The potting shed was successfully moved on Saturday 5th of August. A huge thank-you for the tractor skills and experience. Then students began the construction of steps.
While that happened, earlier in the week Shea and Deacon move the last of countless wheelbarrow loads of soil the Tai and Oliver worked in the compost with the new soil in the planter boxes, raking and levelling this to ready it for planting.
The dream and years of planning is coming to fruition! Students across the primary are empowered and inspired to begin the process of producing naturally grown food.
Leafy greens sown and labelled. Well done, Kowhai!
On Tuesday 8th August Kowhai (years 5/6) sowed the seeds to be nurtured inside until planting out. The plants included a range of leafy greens, tomatoes, spring onions, beetroot, celery and radishes. Thanks to Tina and Aby for providing some of the seeds that have been saved, passed down and grown in Karamea.
On Thursday 10th August class Rata (Years 3/4) planted out the first plants to be put into the new Edible Gardens- strawberries, donated by the community. Then on Wednesday 16th August Nikau (Years 0-2) planted out the potatoes that they chitted up almost a month ago and diligently looked after.
Potential potatoes!
What incredible enthusiasm from Rata class Years 0-2. New potatoes are now in rows, with students looking forward to the December harvest!
It is such a pleasure to see the positivity and engagement of the tamariki especially now there is a context for their efforts.
In addition, we are still waiting on the delivery of 4 columnar apple trees, 2 mandarins and a nashi pear to supplement the existing fruit trees, with the goal to enhance the diversity within the environment and provide fruit that are favoured by the kids.
Print