Well spring has definitely sprung and the school orchard is in full bloom.  With the new netting it looks to be a bountiful season of fruit.  This will be used in cooking  with all classes or just eaten in the field.  Any excess produce will be offered to the P&F for processing and then selling for fund-raising.

The end of Term 3 saw us all making fennel and orange salad, garnished with mint leaves.  A truly refreshing and seasonal dish that was enjoyed by most classes.

Class 3 (with the help of Class 1) stirred our very own Biodynamic Preparation 500 on the afternoon of their sleep-over.  This was 'flicked' out using peppermint brushes and is part of our on-going biodynamic practices.

We have been experiencing some challenges in the vegie patches recently, with a noticeable increase in the rabbit population.  More attention has been put into fencing, as the children look for any little holes and gaps.  Roos have been enjoying the odd munch on the mulberries and rats decided to take up residence in the worm bath.  Some real lessons for the children in all of this... while a rabbit or rat may be a loved house pet, they may not be so welcome in the garden!

Class 6 have been involved in designing a garden for the new space on the north side of the office.  These plans have been amalgamated into one design, and we are hoping to make a start on it this term.  This will include a bird-bath that will be bordered by mosaic tiles that the children will be creating over the next few weeks.  Many thanks to Mirella’s mum Serena, for her assistance in the project.  Class 4 have learnt to take hard and soft-wood cuttings of rosemary, lavender and thyme that will be part of the new garden plantings.

The next few weeks will see most classes preparing for our summer plantings.  Pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, corn and tomatoes will be established now, for harvesting when school returns in 2021.

Happy Gardening,

Neal