Project Overview

Thanks to their new Bush Tucker Garden, 580 students at Telopea Park School have been able to enjoy a garden space that reflects the Ngunnawal people's connections to the land where the students learn and play.

The children designed the new garden beds by incorporating native plants into the space. They also painted on the edges of the garden beds and on the ground to help bring the area to life.

The Year 2 students loved making signs and information boards about their new indigenous plants, with the garden now a popular place to visit by students during lunchtime breaks.

Educational Outcomes

The students learnt about the benefits of native plants and bush tucker, growing their awareness of indigenous biodiversity and its management.

The new Bush Tucker Garden also provided a great opportunity for them to learn more about nutrition and make the connection between growing their own food and healthy diets.

By working together with each other and other members of the school community, students developed skills like teamwork, responsibility, respect and cooperation.

Environmental Outcomes

In total, 30 native plants were added to the school’s new garden bed, including a variety of edible native plants and plants to attract pollinators to the garden.

For the project, the school worked closely with Coolcoutry Native and Greening Australia (a local indigenous nursery) to plant and develop respect for native plants. They are looking forward to working with a First Nations plant specialist in the year ahead, who will come to school to help students with ongoing care of their native plants.

Conclusion

Telopea Park School’s Bush Tucker Garden has provided students with a sense of purpose, with various ‘jobs’ made available for them to do in the garden – from planting to painting.

As Year 5 student Amy shared: "I love painting the plants that I observe."