• Thanks to our partnership with VicHealth, students at Springhurst Primary School are gaining confidence and curiosity, becoming more willing to try new foods. 

• Hands-on projects develop real-world problem-solving, teamwork and entrepreneurial thinking. 

• The impact of the Kitchen Garden Program is extending beyond the classroom by connecting families and influencing school-wide food practices. 

Springhurst Primary School is a rural school in Victoria’s north-east. Located on the land of the Bpangerang People of the Yorta Yorta nation, the school’s tiny cohort of just seven students is achieving big community impact through their Kitchen Garden Program.  

With support from a VicHealth grant, the school has transformed its kitchen and garden into vibrant learning spaces where hands-on experiences are building confidence, independence and a strong sense of community. 

Springhurst Primary is one of 62 Victorian government schools which received a two-year Kitchen Garden Program membership and a $1,500 infrastructure grant thanks to our partnership with VicHealth.

A turning point for their Kitchen Garden Program 

Teacher Aasta Dearnaley says the grant has been a turning point. “The infrastructure grant has significantly strengthened our Kitchen Garden Program by improving both our garden and kitchen functionality,” she explains. “Previously, we did not have appropriate work areas for students to prepare food, and this new setup now allows students to work safely, independently and collaboratively during cooking sessions.”

New student-friendly kitchen benches and restocked equipment have also made a noticeable difference, supporting all students to fully participate. 

Growing ownership and enterprise skills 

The Kitchen Garden Program is sparking entrepreneurial thinking. After saving seeds from their tomato harvest, students began planning to package and sell them to their community, reinvesting the funds back into the garden.  

They are actively involved in decision-making (checking supplies, setting priorities and managing a budget), developing practical life skills alongside their learning. 

Having recently planted daffodils, they hope to use the flowers for the school’s Daffodil Day fundraising efforts. 

Strengthening the whole school community 

The Kitchen Garden Program is having an impact far beyond the classroom. It is strengthening connections among students, staff and families, and contributing to a whole-school approach to food and wellbeing. 

Initiatives like Breakfast Club are now incorporating recipes from our collection, and staff across the school are getting involved. Plans are also underway to share surplus produce with families — extending the program’s benefits into the broader community. 

The school has also been sharing their progress on our community hub, the Shared Table, inspiring Kitchen Garden Program members across the country. 

Learning that grows beyond the garden 

In the garden, students engage in real-world food systems learning. Recently, students planted garlic and broad beans, discussing what each plant needs to thrive through winter.  

Students have also built structures to support their growing plants. The hands-on maths exercise became a lesson in collaboration and problem-solving as they tested and refined their designs together. 

“I love gardening and cooking because I have never been able to cook or garden at any other schools I have been to. Another reason I love these subjects is because we get to taste new things. I love gardening because I have learnt heaps and I am learning more about plants, food and how to garden.” – Will, Grade 6 

Building confidence in the kitchen 

In the kitchen, confidence is equally on the rise. From making pesto to experimenting with yoghurt flatbread, students are developing practical skills while learning to share responsibilities and work as a team. Taste-testing and recipe voting give students a voice, helping to build their confidence, strengthen their sense of agency and encourage them to take ownership of their learning. 

“Students are increasingly willing to try new foods and engage with ingredients they may not have previously considered,” Aasta notes.  

The way students work together and take pride in sharing food with others has been a highlight. “These moments of connection, independence and real-world application stand out as the most meaningful,” she adds. 

“I love getting to make food with different recipes. My favourite part by far though, is eating all the food that we make from the things that we grow.” – Eleanor, Grade 6   

For children, sitting down together to eat a meal they’ve grown and prepared themselves is especially significant. “It’s nice to see them connect food with conversation, relationships and a sense of pride in what they’ve grown,” says Aasta. 

Through hands-on learning, the Kitchen Garden Program at Springhurst Primary is cultivating food literacy, resilience and belonging — proving that even the smallest schools can grow meaningful change. 

VicHealth and the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation are partnering to ensure more young Victorians can develop lifelong skills and confidence in cooking and gardening through preventative, positive food education and the Kitchen Garden Program.