We have become a leader in sustainability education for future generations in the Far North through our Healthy Educational Living Permaculture (H.E.L.P.) School Garden program.

Currently, we are conducting this program at the Flexible Learning Center located on Hoare Street, Cairns which operates as a Positive Learning Centre for disadvantaged youth, ranging in year level from years 5 – 10.

Benefits

The many benefits of our H.E.L.P. School Gardens program include the following:

• Learn about the environment & natural systems
• Encourages healthy eating and promotes a healthy lifestyle
• Increases physical activity & fights obesity
• Assists in personal development by building self-esteem & encourages a sense of achievement
• Acts as a vehicle for positive social interaction
• Strengthens relationships between the school, families of the children and the community
• Introduces children to a variety of career pathways
• Gardens are a practical application of functional aesthetics
• Increases engagement in learning through a hands on approach in relevant and authentic experiences that are linked to the children’s real world
• Providing the knowledge and skills of many KLA’s
• SOSE, Science and Technology, Art, Maths, English
• School gardens can be used to teach: Responsibility, self reliance, creative thinking, problem solving, team work,   planning and goal setting, acceptance of feedback
• Provides a space for teachers to model lifelong learning
• Opportunities for development in all eight of Gardner’s multiple intelligences

Potential for all Schools

The program has the potential to be taken on by all state schools in the region as it provides an opportunity for Education Queensland to meet the vision outlined in “Statement on Sustainability for All Queensland Schools”  issued by the State Government.  Our program may well be seen as a pilot for such future expansion.

Our H.E.L.P. School Garden Program also supports a variety of other initiative:

• Destination 2010 - Preparing children for an unknown future
• Queensland Environmentally Sustainable Schools Initiative (QESSI) 2008 The Year of Physical Activit
• Active-Ate InitiativeSmart Choices - Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Schools
• The Smart Moves - Physical Activity Programs in Queensland State Schools
• Student Health and Wellbeing Curriculum Framework 

Possible Concerns

We understand the concerns that are at times raised by school representatives. Listed below are 4 of the most common for which we provide solutions, that are both positive in their approach and practical in their outcomes.

Possible Concern #1
"The curriculum is so full, how do we possibly squeeze in more skills and knowledge?"

Solution

• Teachers are already teaching a lot of the content. The garden provides a practical, hands on extension of content taught in the classroom
• The doing is the learning. It’s synergistic
• Permaculture activities offer a variety of learning opportunities, enabling teachers to meet outcomes that they may be struggling to achieve   

Possible Concern #2

"The grounds person is a conventional gardener, they use Round Up as weed control.  How could we grow organic produce and keep them happy?"

Solution

• Involve him, her or them in the whole process
• Grow in Earth Rings above the contaminated soil

Possible Concern #3

" The gardens will require regular watering and so where will the supply come from?"

• Development and landscaping on contour (to catch water as it runs down the hill)
• Terracing (to fully utilize water on steep slopes)
• Soil storage (by increasing the water holding capacity of the soil through building structure with organic matter)
• Small ponds, dams (ponds and dams double as habitat for fish, ducks and frogs, can be used for aqua-culture or to grow azolla and other nutrient rich plants for mulch)
• Rain water tanks (provide high quality water)
• Mulching (decreases evaporation and improves soil structure)
• Water channelling (to divert water to where it is needed)
• Trees (to decrease evaporation, increase condensation, draw up water with their deep roots, shade and can also ‘seed clouds’)
• Filtration using water plants and reeds
• Grey water systems (these can be simple or complex)
• Windbreaks (decrease evaporation and draw water from deep down)
• Garden beds can be left fallow over holiday periods 

Possible Concern #4

"Who will maintain the gardens and how can we ensure the projects sustainability over the long term?"

Solution

• Maintenance of the gardens is part of the students ongoing participation, education & responsibility
• Tailor the program to complement the schools curriculum
• Professional development of the teachers enhances the learning potential of the garden
• Involve school community members

How do we begin?

We're there to H.E.L.P. you right from the beginning and in the following ways:

• Undertake school community consultation to address concerns, gather support and receive input from all stakeholders
• Consult on site development options & scales of implementation
• Assist with identifying  possible sources of funding & resources 
• Introduction to Permaculture professional development

Permaculture Strategies for Successful School Gardens

Wondering what your school garden might look like? We use a number of tried and tested Permaculture Startegies to H.E.L.P. you achieve your goals.....

• The No Dig Vegetable Garden
• The Earth Ring Vegetable Garden
• Herb Spiral
• Worm Farm
• Revamping the Old Ornamental Garden
• The Food Forest / Orchard
• Indigenous medicinal & traditional use garden 
• Outdoor rooms
• Specific habitats

How much?

Our tailored program aims to empower and encourage everyone involved with the skills and knowledge to guarantee your programs long term success. From getting you started with workshops and advice, to the complete package, we're there to H.E.L.P. you as much or as little as you need us.

Why us?

As parents, we are fully aware of the many challenges that face our children, and the importance of providing them with positive solutions to face those challenges. As educators, we understand that children learn by doing. We believe that by playing in an environment created by and belonging to them, children gain an understanding of the value of natural systems. Our hope is that through our program, children become adults capable of providing further creative solutions for a sustainable society.

For more Information on our H.E.L.P. School Gardens program:

Call Kym Kruse on +61 (07)4086 8019 or contact us via email