Coleambally Central School Environmental Program
The project commenced four years ago. There was a significant spiny burr problem in a section of the school grounds which prevented the area from being utilized. The students were keen to get involved in some gardening and to make use of the area.
With assistance from the Coleambally Landcare Group an offshoot at the school called “The Coleambally Central School Landcare Group” was formed.
Working bees were held to commence the project with parents supplying labour and materials to get the scheme started. Straw mulch and other things were donated. After the heavy work of removing the spiny burr and laying out the log edges was completed the students took over. The first photo below shows the problem area before it was developed.
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The school landcare group is a voluntary group that operates once a week at lunchtime under the supervision of teacher Marion Wythes. Any student can come along and participate. The students decide what they will do in the area and carryout the work. Students are shown how to propagate, weed, mulch and care for the environmental area.
This project is divided into several areas:
- veggie patch
- native plant garden
- herb garden
- future extension areas
Class groups use the project as part of their lessons.
- The secondary agriculture class maintains and constructs pathways. Prepare new areas for development. The greenhouse and water system were built and installed as part of their lessons.
- The cooking class maintain the herb garden. They use the produce from the garden in their lessons.
- The area has a simple outdoor covered learning area for classes to use.
- The variety of plants provide materials for lessons in science, art, English and others.
The vegetable patch is cared for by Year 5/6 students who arrive at school early. They do this voluntarily as they have ownership of the project.
Paper waste from classrooms and offices is used as weed suppressor under the mulch thereby eliminating waste to the tip.
Canteen scraps are composted and added to the garden.
Trimmings and garden waste from the school grounds are composted to add to the garden.
All these benefits have been achieved with minimal fuss and willing participation of the students.The key to this project has been the ownership and voluntary nature of student participation. It has been all action without loads of paperwork.
The project won the Department of Environment and Heritage, "Hands on Habitat" award in 2005.
Please contact Marion Wythes, Teacher, Coleambally CS for more information.