Students in Prep – Year 12 participate in Stephanie Alexander Kitchen and Garden lessons once per fortnight as a component of their Specialist Program.
Students discover the pleasures of hands-on food education, through regular classes in a productive vegetable garden, and a home-style kitchen classroom.
Students learn to build and maintain a garden according to organic principles, and to grow and harvest a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs. An abundant vegetable garden is created within the school grounds to provide edible, aromatic and beautiful produce for the school kitchen. The creation and care of the garden teaches students about the natural world, and how to cultivate and care for it.
In the kitchen, students explore and prepare a range of delicious dishes from the seasonal produce they've grown. The finished meal is arranged with pride and care on tables set with flowers from the garden. The shared meal is a time for students and staff to enjoy the fruits of their labour, and each other's company and interaction.
The fundamental philosophy that underpins the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program is that by setting good examples and engaging children's curiosity, as well as their energy and taste buds, we can provide memorable food experiences that will form the basis of positive lifelong eating habits.
