New garden to grow students’ knowledge

THE Kitchen Garden at Christian College’s junior school is now open for business after receiving funding from MP Libby Coker.

Ms Coker joined staff, students and parents in officially opening the garden at a ceremony held at the Surf Coast campus.

Students from grade prep to three will learn the valuable lessons of caring for plants and growing their own produce to provide new and unique learning experiences.

Established late last year, the kitchen garden has captured the imagination of students and the official opening ceremony on February 26 included performances from students, a tour and unveiling of the new garden plaque.

The Kitchen Garden was funded through a $5,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Local Schools Community Fund gifted by Ms Coker.

Featuring in the newly established area are several garden beds designed in the shape of the sun with advanced water storage underneath for sustainability, as well as sunflowers, a greenhouse and a statue designed and built by Greg Young.

Ms Coker was delighted to help open the garden which will allow students to learn more about gardening, healthy food habits and weather patterns.

“The kitchen garden will be a place where kids can have fun and learn about how food goes from garden to plate,” she said.

“It was so wonderful to see how excited the students were and to hear how this will positively benefit their learning.”

The new garden will allow the children to extend their knowledge surrounding seasonal planting, making compost, harvesting, cooking vegetables and collecting seeds during their time at the school.

Ms Coker congratulated the campus on considering the effects of climate change in their application and the design of the garden which will allow it to be enjoyed for many years to come.

“It is a catalyst for bringing the community together,” she said.

“From little things, big things grow.”