News

Continued success for Kitchen Garden Schools

Our Kitchen Garden Schools are being recognised around the country for their strong community links.  

Alawa PS in Darwin, our Northern Territory Demonstration school, has just won the Smart Schools NT award for its work in Community Engagement and Industry Partnerships; the prize donated by Cisco IT is valued at 20,000! Alawa PS was the only small school of seven in total to earn accolades in the first-ever NT Government school awards (four out of the seven winning schools were secondary schools). Representatives from the school, including the Kitchen and Garden Specialists, Principal, Assistant Principal, School Council chairperson and several teachers all trod the red carpet, were presented with a giant cheque and celebrated at a formal event held at the Darwin Convention Centre - what a night!

Meanwhile, several Kitchen Garden Schools are successful recipients of the 2010 round of the NAB Schools First grants. With a philosophy similar to our own, Schools First aims to bring together students, teachers, parents and community members to help young people grow.  The successful schools already demonstrate strong links with the broader community and clear focus on sustainability and environmental issues.  Jodi Cryan, Head of Schools First, said she was very impressed with the calibre of applications received this year:

"It's great to see that there are many outstanding school-community partnerships taking place in schools across Australia which are positively contributing to the educational outcomes of young people."

Congratulations to the following Kitchen Garden Schools on their success in such a hotly contested field:

• Burrumbuttock PS, NSW (in partnership with the Murray Darling Association)
• Aldinga Beach R-7, SA (in partnership with the Aldinga Community Centre)
• Montello PS, TAS (in partnership with the Burnie Police & Community Youth Club)
• Port Fairy Consolidated School, VIC (in partnerhsip with Friends of St Brigid's)
• Baldivis PS, WA (in partnership with the Baldivis Children's Forest Inc).

Impact Award winning schools are now in line to be named as State/Territory Award Winner and receive a further $50,000 towards their partnership. State/Territory winners will then vie for the title of National Award Winner. The National Award Winner will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on 26 November and will receive an additional $400,000 (so keep your fingers and toes crossed for all our schools still in the running!).