Growing, Giving, and Gathering – Term 2 in the Garden at St Thomas More Catholic School

his term in the garden has been full of creativity, colour, and care. To celebrate Mother’s Day, the tamariki made beautiful herb hearts by cutting cardboard into heart shapes, wrapping them in twine, and decorating them with freshly picked flowers and herbs from the garden. The Pipi class also helped pick stunning little posies using colourful blooms for the Mother’s Day high tea. It was a lovely way for the children to contribute something special from the garden and share it with their mums and whanau.

We’ve been busy planting our winter seedlings – including cauliflower, broccoli, and bokchoy – all grown from seed. Some of the garden beds are having a well-deserved rest over winter. After providing us with lots of fresh produce, the soil, just like us, needs a break! We’ve sown mustard seeds to help cleanse and rejuvenate the soil, preparing it for a fresh start in Spring.

One of our favourite moments this term was the annual kūmara harvest. The tamariki loved digging into the soil and discovering the kūmara, especially one in the shape of a heart – we named it our aroha kūmara! The children helped peel and prepare the kūmara, and we turned them into delicious kūmara chips to share with the class. What a treat!

We also gave our garden signs and rocks a colourful makeover. The tamariki showed off their artistic talents, adding bright colours and cheerful designs to the garden – a beautiful pop of colour that brings joy to our outdoor spaces.

As part of the New Zealand Annual Garden Bird Survey, our school took a closer look at our feathered friends. We examined a real bird's nest and had discussions about what birds like to eat, where they build their nests, and the difference between native and introduced birds in Aotearoa. With binoculars in hand, the tamariki explored the school grounds, observing which birds they could spot and how many they could count.

As always, the garden continues to be a place of learning, sharing, and growing – not just for plants, but for all of us. We’re already looking forward to Term 3, where recycling will be on our radar, and by the end of August, we’ll begin planting our first Spring seeds.