The 'Mini Green House' Effect!

It was a case of students outwitting the teachers at St Francis of Assisi Primary, when the new 'Mini Green House' needed to be constructed! The students became the leaders,correctly  interpreting the instructions  from a small diagram and they had the plastic covering in place in record time,while the teachers became their followers! A job well done!

Strawberries and Lemons!

For families with a small amount of space at home it is a good idea to grow two edible plants together, i.e. strawberries under a lemon tree! The students are nominating the food they would like to eat with the lone lemon ... fresh fish is a popular choice! However the strawberries are destined to be eaten straight from the plant!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

In 1699 a Sicilian monk called Franciscus Cupani sent seeds of the local wild sweet pea to his friend, English schoolmaster Dr Robert Uvedale. This was the beginning of a love affair between gardeners and sweet peas that continues to this day.

St Patrick’s Day, March 17, is the traditional date for sowing sweet peas in many parts of Australia, but this date should be regarded as a guide, not a law.

Hence students at two Parramatta schools, planted their sweet peas one day early, just in time for the rain!

         

Meanwhile, en route to Nano Cottage Kitchen Garden, the students noticed the new garden nearing completion at Nagle College farm ... the word is roses and olive trees are soon to be planted by the Nagle College agricultural students!

Many Hands ...!

Many gloved hands got to work at St Francis of Assisi Kitchen Garden to restore a garden bed to its former glory! This meant removing the weeds, saving the sunflower seeds and squishing the cherry tomatoes into the soil ... great fun and good discussion about how best to achieve the end result ... sometimes if hands are not enough, it seems you just have to also use your feet!

 

Secret Gardens!

Post holiday gardens are like secret gardens, so many discoveries to make from cherry tomatoes, overgrown nasturtiums and out of control marigolds, to measuring 'near full' rain gauges and of course the inevitable weeds ... but in language terms, great conversation and problem solving opportunities and in practical terms, great seed saving opportunities!

 

Regional Catchment Field Day!

On 26 October 5B went to Plumpton Park to learn about the environment. The first activity we did was to plant Kangaroo Grass in pots for the Park. Then we went on a bush walk to learn the names of trees, such as iron bark and gum trees!
We saw how much pollution there was in the dam and were sad to learn that a lizard died in that unhealthy environment!
We were given some kangaroo grasses to take back to school and plant around our kitchen garden, which is flourishing due to the Spring rain!
Lydon 5B - St Francis of Assisi Primary Glendenning

*This opportunity was an initiative of Blacktown City Council and the event was free!

'Kindergarden'

St Francis Kindergarten students took a Nature Walk as part of a 'God's Creation' unit to look for different kinds of leaves, just as they are all different! They wend their way to the Kitchen Garden and disovered some different types of fruit and vegetables to taste, smell and eat! A rested garden bed was claimed as a 'Kindergarden' and planted out with climbing beans. So the unit came to life and great conversation ensued!

Early Settlement Garden

For their unit on 'British Colonisation' Stage Two students at St Francis of Assisi Primary Glendenning, made use of the Kitchen Garden and transformed it into an 'Early Settlement Garden'. The result meant that plants, tools, colours,and materials were of the era and as authentic as possible to the period!
Students dressed in costumes and became statues as other grades did a bypass and enjoyed the 'true to life' presentation! One campfire scene looked suspiciously like a Tom Roberts painting!

                                                      

Christmas Wreath

Produce was harvested from Saint Francis Kitchen Garden, Glendenning and put to good use to make a fresh Christmas Wreath ... very creative and effective!

St Francis Kitchen Garden

Six new garden beds have been constructed at the rear of the new hall at St Francis of Assisi Primary Glendenning. Students have helped to spread composted soil in the beds, a result of collecting scraps from "Fruit Break", which happens each day at 10am. Worm farms are also producing juice which is being used to nourish the original Kitchen Garden!