Buninyong Primary School harvested its potato crop after a successful year of the innovative ‘Ready Set Grow’ Program. Students were finally able to see the product of months of work after carefully planting, caring and nurturing produce throughout the year.
The innovative program was established and piloted during Covid and provides an alternative for classroom learning. It’s designed to support student wellbeing, develop practical skills and educate for sustainability in a cohort of year three and four students who benefit from time away from the traditional classroom while engaging in outdoor education. Friends of the Botanical Gardens Dr Mark Jones coordinated a group of dedicated volunteers to help the students in the pursuit of gardening greatness.
“Ready Set Grow is focused on working together respectfully and safely. Often, it’s the first time the children have grown their own food. Taking it home for the evening's dinner is a source of pride. For the volunteers, seeing the children spontaneously work as teams, gain new skills and experience planting a seed and watching it grow into a flower or a beetroot is reward aplenty”, he said.
The program is also run at the Scotsburn campus and has been developed across all year levels with a particular focus on growing fruit, vegetables and herbs to be used in the newly refurbished school kitchen.
We’ve actively supported the program and similarly, it wouldn’t run without the volunteer base that has had an active and affirming role to play.
Community Bank Buninyong Partnerships Lead Kelly Bevan said "we're thrilled to be supporting 'Ready, Set, Grow.' The program goes way beyond gardening. It's about nurturing practical skills, promoting well-being, and strengthening community bonds — values that align perfectly with our mission”.
If your community group or organisation may be interested in applying for Community Investment project funding, ask in Branch for more information, eligibility criteria and/or apply online at www.communitygrowshere.com.au/investment
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