From its beginnings last year as a year 5 and 6 experiment, the pumpkin patch grew into a 17-pumpkin harvest to supply a kapa haka event and seedlings for the community.
That success inspired plans for a full-scale garden project with support from sponsors including the Otago Community Trust’s rangatahi (youth-led) funding.
After successfully applying for a $4000 grant at the end of term 2, the students expanded their efforts to include garlic, potatoes, strawberries, carrots, peas, lettuce, fruit trees, giant-cone pines and more.
Teacher Clare Blackmore said her class was very enthusiastic about what the garden had to teach.
"Our new community garden plays an important role in our children’s learning.
"It gives them the chance to understand where food comes from and how it grows, while learning about science and healthy living," she said.
"Working outdoors helps them develop teamwork, responsibility and practical problem-solving skills.
"The garden also teaches important lessons about recycling, reusing materials and caring for the environment."
Students themselves managed the funding application process and found plenty of ways to tie their gardening into core subjects, using maths to measure areas, volumes and spacing, writing reports and managing media with video as well as an online garden diary to document their progress.
The newly funded tunnel house, shade house, garden shed, raised beds, composter, worm farm and garden bench— along with the help of the school’s “generous, mysterious caretaker”— mean the students are now equipped to grow more and continue sharing their produce with the community through events and the Lawrence community pantry.
