What a busy term we’ve had in our gardens. With only a seven week term due to the second COVID lockdown, we did our very best to make the most of our limited time.

Two new garden beds were put up at the start of term and we began filling them with soil. The first bin was divided into three sections; one for a wildflower garden, one a butterfly garden and the third will be my teaching garden. In the last week I showed the kids how to make a living mulch and we will see how that turns out next year. The butterfly garden is filled with swan plants which already have monarch caterpillars on them, so we hope there will soon be butterflies all around the school.

The other exciting news is that our shade house was built and has been put to good use. The kids sowed seeds for the PiPS seedling sale and raised them in there. The tamariki also grew native seedlings in the shade house, they have loved nurturing them and checking on their progress.

Making mud pies and growing potatoes, carrots, lettuce, beans, corn and tomatoes has been fun. We also planted some GIANT pumpkins, there will be prize for the biggest one. The last day of Garden Club this year meant pizza and slip-and-slide, which was fun for everyone.

Thank you to Ms Barr for all her support, I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you to Jeremy and Roy for all the work you do for me when I am not there, to Jenny and Karen in the office, and Whaea Melissa, Mrs Harvey and Whaea Debbie for all their support. But the biggest thanks goes to all the tamariki who put their heart and souls into their gardens, coming into the gardens by choice during morning tea and lunchtime, and even some weekends. I appreciate you all, and love how much you enjoy being in the gardens.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are looking forward to 2022.

Whaea Clare