It was a beautiful morning in picturesque Mount Evelyn as school leaders gathered at Kuranga Native Nursery for this year’s Principals’ Breakfast.
The nursery and surrounding gardens set the perfect scene to share ideas about:
- Creating real-world learning outcomes in garden program
- Using gardens to help students from all backgrounds connect and collaborate
- Empowering students to design and care for their own spaces
- Building networks – from sharing seeds to visiting other school gardens
Special guest Costa Georgiadis brought his trademark passion and energy, reminding us that patience is essential in the garden and in education, ‘You won’t get everyone the first time. If not through food, try biodiversity, invertebrates, a bird count, fabrics and fibres, pollinators – plants are powerful’. His message encouraged attendees to think broadly about the possibilities gardens offer, sparking fresh approaches to engaging students..
Costa shared a project idea everyone loved: preps planting sunflowers at the school entrance, timed to bloom just as the new preps arrive. It was a simple but powerful way to connect students, create a sense of welcome, and celebrate growth.
The morning also celebrated school garden specialists and the announcement of the School Garden Champion, Marilyn Battour from Karingal Primary School. Much to her surprise, Marilyn was recognised for her dedicated volunteer work in creating a thriving community garden for outdoor learning at her grandchildren’s school. Her vision and commitment have continued to expand, inspiring further garden projects throughout the school grounds.h.
All attendees, principals and garden specialists alike, departed the breakfast with new connections, fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm to grow their own school gardens and strengthen community ties.