This is an exciting time of year as the Victorian Schools Garden Awards (VSGA) judge all submissions, and announce the winners of our Regional Awards as we head towards our official Presentation Ceremony on 29 November at the Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne. With entries closing just before the end of Term 3, the VSGA Committee spent the school holidays and start of term 4 judging over 100 entries from schools across Victoria for all awards on offer.
As always the committee were impressed with the quality of entries and work schools are undertaking in their school grounds. Gardens are now being seen as an important element of school education. The committee applauds the efforts of schools who are expanding their grounds from basic produce gardens to include swales, wetlands, acquaponics, compost and worm farms, animal husbandry and more. Classes are being taken outdoors and students are learning science, maths, history, art and language from hands on activities.
It is never an easy task selecting winners. We appreciate the amount of time and effort students, teachers and parents put into your gardens and lodging an award entry, and we do wish we could reward all schools.
Those schools that were unsuccessful this year are encouraged to try again next year. It may be only a matter of a few points that separates you from ultimate success under the VSGA program.
Click here for 2016 Regional Award Results