Something is taking root at our Universal Drive site. In Term 3 we are launching Scraps to Sprouts, a hands-on sustainability programme that gives students the chance to learn practical life skills while improving the school environment.
From separating food scraps to caring for a worm farm and growing fresh produce, students will see the full cycle of a sustainable food system through real, hands-on work.
This has been made possible by the generous support of EcoMatters and the Henderson-Massey Local Board through the Love Your Neighbourhood Grant. Their funding has let us set up a worm farm and install four raised garden beds, an outdoor space where students can build practical skills while caring for the environment.
From Term 3, compost bins will go into our staff and student kitchens, so we can all collect fruit and vegetable scraps rather than sending them to landfill. Students will be involved at every stage, from the classroom caddies to the worm farm to the gardens, and eventually to harvest.
Our four beds are planted, with the first runner beans and strawberry seedlings settling in. To help it along, we are starting the Green Horizon Collective, our new sustainability team, and we are looking for volunteers. Students, staff, parents and whānau are all welcome, no experience needed.
Our thanks to Mrs Margaret Hansen, our first community volunteer, who travelled up from Timaru to plant those first seedlings on a cold, windy winter’s day.
