In this new century of Carey Baptist Grammar School, we also herald in the exciting inception of the Year 4 Kitchen Garden Program, building upon the success of the Year 3 program which has been a signature experience in the Junior School at Kew for many years.
The driving force behind the development and success of this program is our extremely passionate and dedicated Kitchen Garden Co-ordinator, Eleanor Burns, with the support of our Cooking Specialist, Helen Dimitropoulos, and Garden Teacher, Lanyin Tsai.
From the garden to the kitchen: the Year 3 experience
During the Year 3 program, the students embark on the holistic journey from seed to supper, integrating the knowledge and skills from both the garden and kitchen components of the program into a comprehensive understanding of food education and sustainability practices.
The students are engaged in hands-on learning experiences in the garden, developing their understanding of the importance of healthy soil and sustainable food production. They also explore the important cycle of planting, nurturing, harvesting, cooking, eating and composting. The students are involved in harvesting their crops which are then prepared and transformed into both sweet and savoury dishes.
The kitchen sessions provide students with a much greater experience than just preparing and cooking food, they explore the science behind cooking, such as the roles of different ingredients in recipes, and are encouraged to try different flavours and enhance their awareness and appreciation of food. The students’ time in the kitchen culminates in a shared meal with classmates, teachers and parent volunteers, reinforcing the importance that food has in bringing communities together. It’s not uncommon for students to bring their newfound culinary skills and passions home, much to the delight of their families.
Expanding roots: the Year 4 program
Leveraging the foundational experiences from Year 3, the Year 4 program introduces students to native produce and indigenous planting practices, exposing them to new tastes and gardening techniques. This year, the students have started to explore more complex cooking techniques while integrating unique flavours into their dishes, with lemon myrtle being a favourite. They are also enhancing their understanding and appreciation of First Nations knowledge of bush food and bush products which have been an integral part of First Nations cultures for tens of thousands of years.
What’s next for our Kitchen Garden?
Looking ahead, we are excited about the expansion plans for our Kitchen Garden program. The large area dedicated to the Garden program is gradually being transformed into an urban food production zone. The recent work on a caged orchard is just the beginning – and we are thrilled to be working with the Old Carey Grammarians Association to deliver this and will keep you updated as it unfolds. Plans are also underway for constructing new larger no-dig beds, which will serve as plots for Year 4 students. Here they will transfer their knowledge to manage their vegetable patches throughout the year, learning from both their challenges and successes.
Additionally, the recycled pallet compost bays will enhance our sustainable practices. These compost bays, managed by the students, will provide rich nutrients to support the thriving garden beds.
Join us for a taste of the Kitchen Garden program
Keep an eye out for our pop-up Kitchen Garden Farmers Market where excess produce harvested from the garden is transformed into delectable treats like quince and lemon myrtle jam, tomato and eggplant chutney, and lemon myrtle and strawberry gum jam drops. These markets have already proven to be extremely popular and help fund the continual growth of our Kitchen Garden program.
We invite all parents and members of the Carey community to join us in this growth journey. Together, we’re not just expanding our Kitchen and Garden program – we’re also preparing our students, the future leaders, with the essential knowledge, skills and values needed to make sustainable decisions and positively influence the world.
Kylie Baxter
Head of Junior School Kew
