Maggie’s Garden takes flight at Portarlington PS

STUDENTS at Portarlington Primary School have acknowledged both NAIDOC Week and National Tree Day with an environmental project.

On Wednesday last week, the students created “Maggie’s Garden”, planting native trees and plants.

Portarlington Primary School teacher Melissa Meaney said the garden came about because some students were worried about Maggie, a magpie with a damaged wing.

“Maggie has been visiting us for the past 18 months, even sneaking into the classroom on occasion when the door is left open. He visits us most days.

“The students were concerned that Maggie had no friends and was lonely. They worried about who would look out for him when they weren’t at school, so they came up with the idea of creating a garden for him, to attract some new friends, other birds, butterflies, and insects.”

On Wednesday last week, the students participated in a yarning circle to share what they knew about Indigenous culture, creating their own yarning sticks and looking at the Aboriginal artifacts and books were also on display.

Principal Lesley Allbutt welcomed families, and students in foundation, year 1 and year 2 performed an Acknowledgement of Country in front of their families to show their respect to the Traditional Owners of the land and their ongoing connection to it.

The community then listened to a dreaming story supplied by Nicholas Bosely, the school’s Koori engagement support officer.

Students rotated between three activities: planting out the garden, adding their fingerprints to a community tree, and leaf rubbing.

Ms Meaney said the students would add mulch to the garden after the school holidays.