A student’s readiness to learn is strongly shaped by their sense of school belonging — the feeling of being accepted, respected, valued, and included within the school community.  

Springvale Rise Primary School in Victoria, on the land of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, fosters belonging, connection, and wellbeing through its Kitchen Garden Program.  

Principal Debbie Cottier describes the Kitchen Garden Program as “a way to embrace our community — addressing inclusion and really trying to create a safe place for families who have newly arrived in Australia.”  

Their kitchen garden operates as a community hub, bringing together students, parents, and staff to garden, share cultural recipes, learn language, and strengthen relationships. Sharing food is central to connection at Springvale Rise, with the community’s cultural diversity enriching the experience.  

Recipes used in kitchen garden classes are drawn from students’ cultural backgrounds. When students cook or grow food that reminds them of home, they feel validated and recognised among their peers.  

The program is integrated into the school’s social and emotional literacy framework, helping students identify when they feel distressed and move toward calm. The garden serves as a quiet refuge for emotional regulation where students might find it easier to connect with others, or tap into mindfulness through simple tasks that help them shift their state.  

Students are empowered with the trust of their educators and peers and the responsibility through access to proper kitchen and gardening tools and equipment. This fosters student confidence and agency, respect, and a sense of achievement.  

A member of the Kitchen Garden Program for eight years, Springvale Rise Primary School’s multicultural kitchen garden education strengthens student and community belonging by embedding cultural inclusion, and fostering wellbeing through a supportive, encouraging environment.