Remarkables Primary School pupils at their new garden on
Friday. Key helpers and sponsors of the job have been
teachers from the school (from left, rear) Brendon Martyn
and principal Debbie Dickson, Remarkables Park Ltd director
Alastair Porter, Remarkables Park project manager Olivia
Porter, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden and the
Hilton Queenstown general manager Andrew Nisbet. Photo by
Olivia Caldwell.
A huge community effort has allowed Remarkables Primary
School to be one of the first South Island schools to
participate in a nationwide kitchen garden initiative.
Remarkables Primary School year 7 and 8 technology pupils
spent last term researching and designing their garden
kitchen as part of the Garden to Table programme at the
school.
On Friday, the pupils turned the soil, while Queenstown Lakes
Mayor Vanessa van Uden officially opened the garden for use.
The representative helping groups for the project are the
Hilton Queenstown, the council and Remarkables Park Ltd,
which provided the land.
Remarkables Park communications and projects manager Olivia
Porter was thrilled with the support of the community and
wanted to thank the helpers.
School principal Debbie Dickson said it was a great way for
pupils to learn skills and work with professionals.
"Working alongside professionals - the gardeners, designers,
horticulturists and foodies - all helps gain a clear
understandings of work expectations.
"This gives a knowledge of this field, as well as how to
maintain and sustain innovative practice within the
horticultural domain."
Once the gardens were harvested, the Hilton would purchase
the pupils' produce to use in their kitchens and serve to
guests, Hilton Queenstown general manager Andrew Nisbet said.
"Seeing the vegetables that they grow being served at top
restaurants will give these students a wealth of nutritional
and industry understanding.
"These are invaluable life skills."
The Garden to Table Trust is the formal partner of the
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation that started at
Collingwood College in Melbourne, Australia, in 2001 and now
has more than 180 Australian primary schools involved.
Remarkables Primary School is the first South Island school
to participate.
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