Andrew Barr

Congratulations to Majura Primary on the launch of their Kitchen Garden

Submitted by Andrew Barr on 25 March 2010 - 11:12am
 
Renowned food identity and founder of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program, Stephanie Alexander, has officially opened the new garden , which will enrich Majura students’ knowledge about the environment, healthy eating, food preparation and teamwork.
 
Majura Primary School is the first school in the ACT to create a kitchen garden under the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and is also the Program’s ACT demonstration school.
 
The ACT Government was pleased to have previously provided funding for a water tank which will help ensure the garden remains green all year ground.
 
The kitchen garden is a fantastic addition to Majura Primary school and I commend the students, staff and parents who have worked so hard to see it come to fruition.
 
The garden will teach students important lessons not only about the environment and sustainability, but the importance of working in a team to plant and harvest fruit and vegetables, healthy eating and food preparation. It will also actively involve the parent community which is great to see.
 
The kitchen garden was in line with the ACT Government’s commitment to make existing and new schools as sustainable as possible and to promote environmental studies in schools.
 
Every day students in ACT schools are taught about the importance of caring for our environment and what they can do about it. Through this garden students can put this into practice in a fun and hands-on way.
 
The ACT Government is also taking the lead on sustainability and is making a $20 million investment so public schools are carbon neutral by 2017.
 
The Government is also investing in water tanks to reduce school reliance on drinking water with 120 rain water tanks to be installed in ACT public schools and plumbed into toilet blocks as part of the $2 million Public Schools - Rainwater Tank program.
 
As part of the program a 24,500 litre tank at a cost of $22,600 will be connected to toilets at Majura Primary in April. Solar panels will also be installed at the school as part of the ACT Government's Solar Schools program.
 
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