KGP Launch Reflections

Posted on April 21, 2013 by hartj

“I was proud to show people all the different plants we have been growing and harvesting. I even explained companion planting!” – Year 5 student.

“It was so much fun serving everyone pizza from the pizza oven, they all said it was very yummy” – Year 4 student.

“The knowledge, passion and confidence of the students demonstrating, how to set up, operate and look after a worm farm was very impressive! They proudly explained how they collect the worm juice; make the worm tea and pointed out the plants they have feed. It is obvious how much the students really enjoy every aspect of the program and its successful incorporation into the school curriculum”. – Parent.

“Someone asked me for the silverbeet frittata recipe they said we had made such delicious food” – Year 4 student.

“The ‘official’ launch of our beautiful Kitchen Garden, was an event during which, we were able to thank our many supporters and donors, whilst showcasing the exciting work of our children. We tasted the many delightful vegetables grown and cooked by our Primary children. The event was made even more inspiring by the work of the students in showcasing, guiding, growing, cultivating, cooking and serving. A special thanks goes to Raphy Shtern who, without any prompting, offered to help clear up the cardboard boxes – a real mensch.” – Bilaik Principal

Bialik KGP Features In the Leader Newspaper

Posted on April 16, 2013 by hartj

Our Kitchen Garden Opening

Posted on April 16, 2013 by hartj

The year 4 and 5 students, together with their teachers, parents, grandparents and a large member of the community, enjoyed a celebratory afternoon in the Kitchen Garden where they were able to share their experiences of the Kitchen Garden Program alongside each other.

The students also acted as excellent hosts for the school by engaging with the guests as well as serving delicious pizza to everyone topped with grated pumpkin, caramelised onion, lemon zest and rosemary pesto, tomato and mozarella. They also demonstrated activities such as harvesting, worm farm demonstrations and planting seedlings.

The afternoon continued with a blessing for the kitchen through what is called a ‘Mezuzah Ceremony’. This was done by placing a piece of parchment inscribed with specified Hebrew verses from the Torah and affixing it to the doorframe of the kitchen.

The ceremony ended with the students serving delicious treats that they had been preparing throughout the day such as zucchini and cheese muffins topped with sunflower seeds, pumpkin filo pies, silver beet frittatas as well as mini carrot cakes with cream icing.

It was such a successful launch.

Purim fun in the kitchen

Posted on March 4, 2013 by hartj

The year 3 students enjoyed a fun and purposeful kitchen lesson during Purim. They all got the opportunity to make and bake Hamantashen. In their groups, they rolled the dough, filled the Hamantashen with delicious jam or chocoloate and baked them. The best part was, ofcourse, eating them and sharing them with their family and friends.

Our kitchen classes begin!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by hartj

Our year 4 and 5 students began their kitchen classes by exploring the space, asking many questions, providing suggestions with regards to what they wanted to cook and sharing many ideas. They also learned how to tell the difference between a fresh egg and one that should not be cracked open!

Through blind tastings, guessing the produce as well as tasting the delicious soup and working out what they could ( and couldn’t see) when it came to the ingredients, the students were left with questions and excitement for the next lesson.

I can’t wait to see what they will be cooking next lesson…

A very warm welcome to the start of the year

Posted on February 12, 2013 by hartj

A very warm welcome to the start of the year and what a fabulous year it is going to be!

Over the summer months the garden has gone from strength to strength. The students were very excited to see that “the corn is over 1m high”, the stunning “sunflowers are standing super tall”, the tomatoes are turning “green to red”, there are plenty of capsicums to enjoy, “wow the cucumbers and so long and fat”, the large variety of flavoursome herbs and “carrots that are all funny shapes”!

During their garden classes students have started to harvest and cook with the a fore mentioned vegetables along with many others that are close to being ripe and full of flavour. The pumpkin and zucchini plants are crawling over the garden with many flowers and new fruits appearing. We say goodbye to our strawberries and hello to the honeydew and cantaloupes.
Students have re mulched and fertilised most of the garden beds and continued to plant more seeds for the autumn crop! They are enjoying diluting the worm juice to make worm tea and creating natural and organic pest sprays from regular kitchen pantry items. Students have started to recognise and document the various insects and arthropods. Students will soon make Scientific keys to help classify and group the different invertebrates.

Scientific understanding of soil composition and texture is vital for a successful garden. Students will soon learn how to test and alter the pH of the soil, determine soil permeability and continue to develop their indigenous garden to help prevent soil erosion.
Please remember to bring along, to your garden and/or Science lessons, bread ties, old stocking, egg cartons and old newspapers for recycling in our garden.

See you in the garden,
Julie

Another fun classwith Eli Erez

Posted on December 10, 2012 by hartj

Another fun class

Posted on November 26, 2012 by hartj

The year 4’s got an opportunity to plant carrots, put straw around the strawberries and water the seedlings.

Our Kitchen is taking shape

Posted on November 26, 2012 by hartj

Walking into our new Kitchen this morning, you could see the ovens already in place and the work stations that are almost ready for class. One could just imagine all the children working and engaging in their lessons, cooking meals and sharing a love for food.