Garden to Table

Garden to Table

Garden to Table is an important part of the year 5 and 6 programme at Te Aro School. Through hands-on experiences in the garden and kitchen, tamariki learn how to grow, harvest, prepare, and share fresh food while developing practical skills and a deeper understanding of where our food comes from. 

The programme provides meaningful opportunities for students to demonstrate our school values. Through Kaitiakitanga, students care for our garden beds, orchard, and compost systems. Manaakitanga is shown when students prepare and share food with each other. Whānaungatanga is strengthened as students work together in the garden and kitchen, and Ako is evident as students dig in, get their hands dirty, and learn from one another.

Garden to Table is made even richer through connections with our Beekeeping and Eco Warriors programmes. Students have opportunities to tend our bee hives and learn about the important role bees play in our environment, while Eco Warriors encourages them to investigate local environmental issues and research native species found in Aotearoa.

This programme supports our Year 5 and 6 students’ learning across the curriculum, through exploration of science, mathematics, literacy, health, and sustainability. Most importantly, Garden to Table helps our tamariki develop confidence, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility for both people and the environment. It is a programme that brings learning to life and helps students build meaningful connections with their food, their community, and the natural world.

The best parts of Garden to Table are the practical activities where you get to do something. The cooking is fun because you get to make a lot of mess, but also food to share with the rest of the group. I like that. The practical activities are always interesting. I have learnt a lot about different plants this year, when to plant them and how to care for them. I like learning about the native animals and their predators during Eco Warriors. – Year 6 student

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