School celebrates new garden

Driving rain failed to deter Kaipara Flats School from officially opening it’s Alastair Mason School Gardens this month.

To escape the downpour, students and dozens of parents crowded into a large classroom to celebrate with speeches, a karakia and the first ever public performance by the school’s kapa haka group.

Afterwards, everyone went outside for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the gardens, followed by refreshments at a nearby school house, where visitors could sample an array of tasty treats prepared by children using produce from the garden.

The school house was recently renovated to provide a kitchen and hospitality area where children can learn to prepare and enjoy the food they grow.  

Gardening has been a key part of the school curriculum since 2017 with each class having their own small plot to attend to. Children learn practical skills such as planting, composting and harvesting and their gardening informs their study of subjects like science and health and nutrition.

The vision for the Alastair Mason garden came from school caretaker and gardening enthusiast Odette Wech, who noted that a steep grassy bank beside the school’s sports courts, got the sun all day, whereas the school’s existing vegetable plots were often in the shade.

She approached Al Mason, of Mason Containers, whose grandchildren attend the school, to see what it would cost to build a retaining wall alongside the courts to create the gardens.

Al responded by saying he would cover the cost of the labour and materials himself.

Odette told the gathering that six months later the gardens are up and running and already producing more than enough for the school’s needs, and providing extra for a community stand outside the school gate.

“What a pleasure it is to see kids out in the garden and cooking with the produce they are producing. It is really amazing,” she said.

Marshal Jack, 9, and Porter Jack, 7, cut the ceremonial ribbon while their grandfather Al Mason looked on.

Kaipara Flats kapa haka group entertained at the ceremony for their first time.

Preparing food to serve in the school house’s renovated kitchen.

Everything is neatly labelled in the new Alastair Mason garden.