Surfside Primary’s golden garden

SURFSIDE Primary School received the state award for Best Edible Garden at this year’s Victorian State Garden Awards (VSGA) held on November 21, in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Surfside principal Peter Walsh said the award was “well-deserved recognition” for the school’s Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program, running since 2001.

“The VSGA awards celebrate schools’ gardening achievements. The fundamental philosophy that underpins our program is that by setting good examples and engaging children’s curiosity – as well as their energy and their taste buds, we can provide positive and memorable food experiences,” Mr Walsh said.

“This will form the basis of positive lifelong eating habits while covering many aspects of the Victorian curriculum. Each week students from grade 3 to 6 have this experience in our custom-built kitchen and expansive edible garden.

“This has been recognised by the Victorian Kitchen Garden Awards with the school rewarded with the Best Edible Garden in Victoria and a regional award.”

Mr Walsh said the garden provided lifelong educational experience for the students they can take into the real world.

“The work and care that they put into the garden and then have that paddock to plate experience covers so many aspects of the curriculum,” Mr Walsh said.

“From literacy to numeracy, food science and the capabilities through cooperation, communication and ethical aspects of food preparation and biodiversity.

“The program then allows us to connect to our wider community with parent helpers and assistance by local organisations such as Kingston Estate and Driftwood café.

“This is a well-deserved recognition for the students and our Kitchen Garden specialist Deb Taylor who works to engage the kids at all levels’.”

Surfside Primary School was represented by current kitchen garden specialist Deb Taylor, students Lana, Mitchell, Ryan, Hannah and former garden specialist Anna Baird.