On Wednesday 2nd December VSGP held our 43rd annual Victorian Schools Garden Awards Ceremony, but our first virtual ceremony. VSGP advocates Costa Georgiadis and Jane Edmanson did a fantastic job of bringing the event to life for the many children and teachers in attendance.
Ordinarily the Awards Presentation Ceremony is held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. The ceremony is a chance to celebrate and recognise the amazing achievements of students and communities in their school gardens and announce this year’s Victorian Schools Garden Awards winners.
Minister for Education, James Merlino, also made a guest appearance to talk about the importance of gardening, outdoor learning environments and the Victorian Schools Garden Awards.
“Congratulations to the many green thumbs across this great Education State who continue to work hard to make their school’s garden come to life with pops of colour, thriving plants and edible produce.”
“Sharing the importance of sustainable living and fostering a love of gardening is vital to ensuring that the next generation takes a hands-on approach to caring for the environment.” Said Minister Merlino.
There was a lot of excitement from the entrants as the winners were announced. The Awards Program has 10 different categories for schools to enter and $44,000 worth of nursery vouchers and garden products available to be won.
And the winners were;
Most Engaging for Play Award winners are:
- Hoppers Crossing Montessori Center
- Pomonal Primary School
- St. Anne’s School, Sunbury
- Little Yarra Steiner School
Maxicrop – Best Edible Garden Award winners:
- Diamond Creek Primary School
- Delacombe Primary School
- Oxley Christian College, Chirnside Park
Catholic Education Melbourne – Most Engaging Student Garden for Wellbeing Learning winners:
- Barwon Valley School, Belmont
- St Mark’s Primary School, Dingley
- Parade College, Bundoora
Independent Schools Victoria – Greatest Demonstrated Improvement of School’s Green Space Award winners:
- Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Rosebud
- Aberfeldie Primary School
- Point Cook P-9 College
Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria – Best School Garden Exhibiting Biodiversity Award winners:
- The Patch Primary School
- Surfside Primary School, Ocean Grove
Turf Victoria Award winner:
- Rosewood Downs Primary School, Dandenong North
Australian Growing Solutions Award winner:
- Rowville Primary School
Fleming’s Nurseries Award winner:
- Footscray High School
RB Landscape Award winner:
- Catholic Regional College, St. Albans
State Award winner (Primary and Special Schools with less than 280 pupils)
- Wandin Yallock Primary School
State Award winner (Primary and Special Schools with over 280 pupils)
- Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, Ocean Grove
State Award winner (Prep -9, Prep-12 and all Secondary Colleges)
- Little Yarra Steiner School
The grand prize, the Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award, chosen from the three state winners, receiving an additional voucher for $1500 and the Perpetual shield was
- Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School, Ocean Grove
At Star of the Sea Primary School, sustainability and caring for the earth is paramount and included in all areas of the of the
curriculum along with encouraging their student voice and advocacy through their everyday actions at school.
They embrace outdoor education options and are using their many gardens in fun, collaborative and practical ways to enrich their curriculum and for students to explore through nature play.
We would like to thank all the innovative principals, teachers and parents who give students the ability to learn in their school gardens and for entering the awards. Keep on growing, enjoy your time in the garden, be passionate and proud about your success.
We look forward to delivering the 44th annual Victorian Schools Garden Awards Ceremony in person at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
VSGP are grateful for the continued support of the Victorian Government, Department of Education and Training, and our sponsors.
Click here to watch the 2020 VSGA Virtual Presentation Ceremony