WHAT IS THE SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM?
Garden teaching is driven by a seasonal growth and care cycle, which aims to offer meaningful learning through practical hands-on experience. The focus on child centered learning encourages students to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility, and to see themselves reflected in the space as it develops. Time in the garden is often short periods, perhaps 30minutes. Therefore, the focus of any teaching will be experiential by design and adaptable to cross reference to all subject areas. The garden is an area to experiment, work as a team and allow for productive struggle, and hence a great space for the development of social emotional skills as well as environmental studies.
Simply put, it is a holistic environment for all, where our students can foster a deeper connection with their environment and where they see their skills in observation, and presence in nature are valued.
HOW CAN WE ENGAGE YOU?
• What are you excited about when you hear about the school garden?
• What ideas do you have to share?
• Want to get involved? Let us know!
The Garden Program is run by the school staff led by Mrs. Dunleavy and supported by parent volunteers.
If you’d like to be involved in the school garden there will be a variety of volunteer opportunities
throughout the year, driven by seasonal development. We are developing a series of projects and look forward to sharing these with you and your children! Some ideas include – a Zen Mindfulness Garden, Creation of a tunnel of food, Native planting, a Pumpkin Patch and a butterfly garden, a human sundial - as well as our existing raised bed planting. The Kids will be managing the Garden bulletin board and producing a monthly newsletter too!
Any help is welcome - you do not have to have a green thumb! (although if you do - please share your digits!)
We would love to incorporate your skills to make the most of the experience we have in our community at Collins - and to make it fun! Share a little of what you know - this could be gardening and landscaping, graphic design, art, music, bee keeping, construction, carpentry, cooking, marketing - you name it you are welcome! We can teach each other and build a stronger program for our students. Volunteering in person is often ad-hoc to match seasonal projects. If in person is tough for you don’t let that put you off sharing your skills. Who knows what innovation can come if we embrace all that we have to share.
Come grow with us!
Contact: alison.barmas@gmail.com
