Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre logo

Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future.

Telephone02 9247 7321

Emailobservhill-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Kitchen Gardens Program

Kitchen Gardens Program 2022 

Observatory Hill EEC is conducting a school Kitchen Gardens Program in 2022. This program involves students being engaged in one-hour cooking and gardening lessons each week for up to four classes per day. The program is designed for students to achieve educational, wellbeing and sustainability outcomes through curriculum embedded, cross KLA lesson sequences. The Kitchen Gardens program teaches a range of life skills, supports critical thinking, communication, problem solving and teamwork skills. It is also an excellent program for school promotions around healthy eating, sustainability and outdoor learning.  

A website to support teachers in their Kitchen Gardens has been created and can be found here.

Targeted Regions 

Expressions of interest are sought from targeted Sydney Metropolitan South Region schools to participate including: 

  • Canterbury
  • Georges River
  • Kogarah
  • Marrickville
  • Beverly Hills
  • Bondi
  • Botany Bay
  • Iron Cove
  • Port Jackson 

Program Information

The program was developed by Penrith Lakes EEC and has worked successfully in that region for several years with very positive evaluation results from Principals, teachers and students involved. School communities value the program for it for it's wellbeing benefits, outdoor learning opportunities (particularly important in the age of Covid-19) and curriculum linked content.  

The program will be run by a specialist, NESA accredited teacher, usually for one day a week per school. The appointed school Kitchen Garden Teacher would coordinate the program for all stages including gardening set up, garden maintenance and cooking in the classroom. Up to 4 classes per day would be involved.

Cost

The cost is $24,000 per year for the employment of one dedicated Kitchen gardens teacher per school for one day.  Additional funds may be required for maintenance and set up of gardens depending on your school’s situation. Schools will receive support to apply for a NSW DoE Sustainable Schools Grant up to $15,000, which if successful, could partially offset the cost of the program. 

Expressions of interest

Please reply indicating your interest in being part of this program to:

  • email:  glen.halliday@det.nsw.edu.au
  • Ph: 9247 7321   

Download the Information Flyer

Kitchen Gardens Program Information Session

An information session will be held on Thursday 28th October at 3.30 - 4.15

  • Join via the Kitchen Gardens Zoom link
  • https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/65074785212?pwd=WG9tVUZBZEdKbTY0ZzhSei9iTXh6QT09
  • Meeting ID: 650 7478 5212
  • Passcode: 506255

Regards

Glen Halliday

Principal

Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

E: glen.halliday@det.nsw.edu.au

Collecting garden data

Harvesting the produce

A gardening lesson

Preparing the produce

Preparing Vietnamese Rolls

Preparing the garden beds

Learning a recipe

Inspecting the beds

Watering the produce