Woy Woy Public School has one of the best kitchen garden facilities on the Central Coast.
Kitchen and food gardens are a fun and authentic way for schools to promote environmental and sustainability learning as well as connecting students with healthy foods. They aslo provide a rich and engaging context for developing students' skills across all Key Learning Areas. The Woy Woy garden project includes water efficient gardens using wicking beds that water from below rather than above.
The students, under the guidance of teacher Deb Moxom, grow fresh fruit and vegetables to use in the kitchen. The garden beds are off ground, helping to reduce the problem of insects. Growing fruits such as passionfruit and strawberries also assists in teaching skills of sharing as the fruit ripens.
Apart from the garden beds, there are over 20 different types of fruit trees, a worm farm, and a compost heap, as good soil is a must. All produce is utilised in the kitchen under the leadership of teacher Lena Williamson. Each class visits every two weeks and learns not only how to cook, but also to set a table, serve meals, eat politely and clean up.
The school has released its own cookbook, which you can purchase from the office.
Visit Woy Woy Public School's website for more photos.
