Term Two started with a hiss and a roar. We had a hugely successful working bee at the end of week one where 25 whanau groups and community members helped to line and fill the garden beds in record time.

Which meant that the following week we could start planting out our seedlings grown the previous term. By week 10 we harvested mesculin, rocket, beets, bok choy, spinach and kale to make bags of salad greens for the staff to take home!

We even used some greens in cooking to make savoury scones, yum!

Te Arawa kaimanawa have learned about seeds and germination by sprouting a bean seed and by sowing a pea seed, after 5 weeks the pea seedlings were big enough to plant out into the garden. Next we will need to make them a frame to climb up.

All Kaimanawa have had an opportunity to sow seeds, plant out seedlings and have learned about the importance of mulch.

The opportunity to purchase a fruit tree for the school was put out to staff and whānau, there was no delay as 40 trees were purchased in two days! Thanks to Mark and Richard from Venture Developments for coming and digging 18 holes for our first stage of fruit tree planting. In the last week of term whānau who purchased a citrus or feijoa tree were invited to come and plant their tree. It’s exciting to see our garden vision taking shape!