From wellbeing to curriculum links, to growing food, this day long workshop will cover some of the many reasons gardens are an integral piece of the education puzzle.
These days bring together passionate garden specialists, teachers and a like to network, share stories and take part in a day of quest speakers and hands on activities. Whether your school is a concrete jungle with only a dream
of a garden, or it has an established garden program, this workshop will have something for everyone.
Teachers, parents, grounds staff, admin, school leadership are welcome to attend.
The Hidden Curriculum of School Gardens will be hosted by James McLennan from Grassroots Sustainability.
Guest presenters include:
Richard Bellemo from RB Landscapes' vision is for schools to have a hands-on sustainability precinct where ecological practices can be taught to their students. Through the construction of these outdoor areas, students have the opportunity to collect and manage their own water, grow, cook and eat their own produce and get a clear, hands-on understanding of how the environment and nature works.
Dr Dimity Williams is a mother, nature lover, and family doctor. She has worked as a Family Physician for 25 years in inner Melbourne and is an alumna of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, a co-founder of the Kids In Nature Network, and founder of Doctors for the Environment Australia's Biodiversity Special Interest Group. She is passionate about integrating nature into healthcare, she has written and spoken about the 'nature: health interface' in various forums including her latest book 'Nature, Our Medicine: how the natural world sustains us' and delights in issuing nature prescriptions.
Tracey Higgins is an accredited practising dietitian leading the Health Promotion Team at Inspiro Health. Tracey has worked in Dietetics for 20 years, moving from one on one consultations to the health promotion team has allowed Tracey to follow her passion for improving the community's overall health and wellbeing by helping to create supportive environments through advocacy for better policy, team work, connecting community.
The host school - St Louis de Monfort's Primary School
St Louis is a multi-award winning school, willing to share their knowledge and success. They are continuously developing, improving and embedding wellbeing and sustainable strategies into their everyday actions. Their curriculum is targeted to expand opportunities for student-led initiatives aimed to instill a sense of ownership, belonging and pride across the school. The school grounds, especially the gardens, plant and animals, play a major part in their journey towards achieving wellbeing and sustainability in their school and lives.
Schedule
9:00 - Arrive
9:15 - Welcome & intro - James McLennan | Grassroots Sustainability
10:15 – Frank Overburg | The Story of St Louis’
10:35 - Richard Bellemo | Garden design in schools
11:15 – Morning Tea
11:30 – Dr Dimity Williams | Nature Our Medicine
12:15 – Garden Tour – St Louis Students
1:00 – lunch/network
2:00 – Tracey Higgins | Inspiro Health
2:45 - Call to Action & Closing - James McLennan
3:00 - Close
Date: Friday 26th May, 2023
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: St Louis de Montfort's Primary School - 37 Dolphin Street, Aspendale
Cost: $180 (includes morning tea, lunch and a copy of Dr Dimity Williams book)
To Book:
You will need to ring NGIV on 9576 0599 to obtain your log in details if not already registered in the booking system. Please have your credit card ready.
Contact: Tania Karamitos - VSGP Program Co-ordinator Phone: 9576 0599
Email: [email protected]