Barwon Heads Primary growing skills with water

BARWON Heads Primary School students are full of smiles as they learn the art of permaculture.

The Barwon Heads institution has recently joined the Permaculture in Primary School program (PIPS), providing lessons and teaching Grade 3 and 4 children how to to grow, prepare and cook their own produce.

PIPS leaders Deidre Reynolds and Margaret Griffith said the watering and irrigation systems saved 15 hours of work each week.

“The grant has allowed us to create a flourishing, efficiently watered orchard of seven healthy fruit trees, cohabiting with our chickens,” the pair said.

“The effectively irrigated greenhouse is enabling an ongoing supply of seedlings for the garden and for community fundraising.

“While the addition to our collection of wicking beds is providing regular and sustainable watering of our prolific vegetable crops.”

The program has been further supported by Barwon Water, which provided a $2,500 grant to allow the school to more efficiently water its greenhouse, orchard in the chicken run and a wicking bed.

Barwon Heads Primary School was one of 16 schools to receive funding this year as part of Barwon Water’s annual grants program.

“Hands-on experience is an invaluable learning tool and it’s great to see kids embrace the benefits of sustainable food production, including learning how to use water efficiently to grow food,” Barwon Water general manager of customers, community amd strategy Laura Kendall said.

“Supporting the fantastic work of local schools and community groups is one of the ways we can enhance the prosperity of our region.

“Our grants back initiatives that provide a variety of social, health and environmental benefits, making our communities better places to live.”

Queenscliff and St Leonards primary schools also received a grant from Barwon Water.

Applications for the next round of School Grants and Community Grants will open in February 2025 for projects that save water for the region, make community a better place to live, help people be active, improving the local environment, and encourage social inclusion.

For more information, head to yoursay.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/barwon-water-grants