With this money, our school has already set up a compost system which involves the participation of all students. Each classroom has a small green bucket which is used to collect fruit and vegetable scraps daily in fruit break time. The SRC representatives have been trained on how to use the compost and they empty their class’ compost into the bin at recess. The playground also has a compost bin which we, the Year Six Environment Prefects are responsible for emptying into the compost bin daily. We also manage and maintain it on an ongoing basis. This compost material will later be used on the fruit and vegetable gardens within our school.

The grant has also allowed our school to purchase a greenhouse structure which has been set up on our school oval. Inside the greenhouse, we will be planting a range of organic vegetables. Beside the greenhouse, we have planned to build four planter boxes which will also grow organic vegetables. Surrounding these structures, we will be planting different fruit trees, including mandarin trees, orange trees, blueberry plants and apple trees.

Whole school involvement is most important, so all classes have the opportunity to maintain and care for the garden. In addition to this, a parent group and a staff group has been formed to oversee this initiative and keep a weekly log of the jobs which need to be attended to by each class in their designated time.

Finally, and most importantly, all the fresh produce from the greenhouse, garden and fruit trees will be picked, washed and delivered to the school canteen. This will allow our canteen to prepare and sell wonderful and delicious fresh salad sandwiches, fruit salad boxes, fresh pieces of fruit and homemade vegetable soups.

These initiatives are extremely exciting and advantageous to have within our school, as we will become more sustainable and healthy. Eventually, if we are successful in being able to produce a large amount of fruit and vegetables, our big picture focus is  to bag these up and provide to those in need within the area through outreach centres such as St Vincent De Paul, Meals on Wheels and The Salvation Army.