Simple idea of inclusion in gardens
TOOWOOMBA East State School (TESS) students proved getting your hands dirty can lead to success, winning the best student garden award in this year’s Chronicle Garden Competition.
The school’s gardens sprouted from a simple idea three years ago, instigated by TESS health teacher and Sustainability Programs Coordinator, Amy McGaw, to provide an outdoor learning space where students could get a hands-on understanding of different parts of the curriculum.
“We started with a basic recycling program, then built a couple of small garden beds in a barren part of the school, and now we have six student gardens we use across a range of cross-curricular programs and subjects,” Mrs McGaw said.
The students are responsible for watering, managing weeds, planting, and harvesting – there is even a weekend roster where families can come and help and enjoy the space.
“They are learning life skills, problem solving where are the best spots for plants, as well as learning about waste reduction and getting an understanding of where their food comes from,” Mrs McGaw said.
Sustainable practices are now embedded in the school – funds from recycling containers for change goes back into the student gardens, food waste from compost bins keeps the worms happy, and items that might otherwise make their way to landfill are reused and repurposed.
Students are also encouraged to “taste the rainbow”, supplying garden produce to the school tuckshop or taking some home.
The benefits of the gardens, however, have extended far beyond the curriculum or competitions – becoming a safe place of connection and inclusion. At lunchtime, students gravitate to the gardens for a chat or, where English might not be their first language, happily find a job to do and work quietly alongside others, developing friendships through the universal language of gardening – and guinea pig cuddles.
“Some kids might be feeling a bit lost or having trouble finding friends in the playground, so they come here and there’s always someone around and something to do. Everyone feels welcomed and Mrs McGaw always makes time to listen to us,” explained TESS student Georgia Cussons.
The mental health benefits have sparked the next garden project to be unveiled in October – a yarning circle, inspired by the Indigenous practice of creating a respectful place to discuss important issues and pass on knowledge, for which the school sought advice from local Gummingurru elders on how to establish rules and incorporate culturally significant plants.
Whether it’s promoting physical or mental health or sustainability, Amy McGaw practices what she preaches at home – entering her personal garden into The Chronicle Garden Competition for the first time.