Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

The school sponsors a Stephanie
Alexander Kitchen Garden program
and has purpose-built facilities
dedicated to the SAKG program.

 

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden facilities promote engagement in learning across the curriculum and allow students to develop skills for work while enhancing their ability to
work in a team environment with others. The SAKG program focuses on real life experience and gives students an opportunity to develop independence and resiliency.

The aim of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program at TCPS is to introduce pleasurable food education, emphasising the flavours as well as the health benefits of fresh,
seasonal food.

  • Dishes cooked reflect the vegetables, herbs and fruits grown, season-by-season, by
    the children in their organic gardens.
  • Our Kitchen Specialist instructors emphasise balance and moderation, and endorse
    the concept of preparing fruit-based desserts ‘sometimes’ only.
  • The Program is designed to be fully integrated into the primary school curriculum as  it offers infinite possibilities to reinforce literacy, numeracy, science, cultural studies  and all aspects of environmental sustainability.
  • In addition, the Program delivers observable social benefits to all students, including  those with special needs.

 

THE STEPHANIE ALEXANDER KITCHEN GARDEN NATIONAL PROGRAM

  • As participants in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Program, children in years 3 to 6 discover the pleasures of hands-on food education, through regular classes in a productive vegetable garden and a home-style kitchen classroom.
  • Students learn to build and maintain a garden according to organic principles, and to grow and harvest a wide variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs. An abundant vegetable garden is created within the school grounds to provide edible, aromatic and beautiful produce for the school kitchen. The creation and care of the garden teaches students about the natural world, its wonders and beauty and how to cultivate and care for it.
  • In our kitchen, students prepare a range of delicious dishes from the seasonal produce they’ve grown. The finished meal is arranged with pride and care on tables set with flowers from the garden. The shared meal is a time for students, specialists, teachers and volunteers to enjoy the fruits of their labour, and each other’s company and conversation.
  • The fundamental philosophy that underpins the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program is that by setting good examples and engaging children’s curiosity, as well as their energy and their taste buds, one can provide positive and memorable food experiences that will form the basis of positive lifelong eating habits.
  • Experiences in the kitchen and garden classes support and extend learnings across subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, History and Languages. Students learn to calculate, measure, analyse and articulate their experiences in a real-life context as they engage with new cultures through enticing flavours, leading to intercultural understanding.

 

sakg-garden-1

 

THE STEPHANIE ALEXANDER KITCHEN GARDEN FOUNDATION PHILOSOPHY

The SAKGF values their brand as a symbol of the delivery of a model food education program in all interested schools with a primary curriculum in Australia. Upholding consistency in the delivery of the Kitchen Garden Program is critical to realise the success and growth of the Program.

Thomas Chirnside Primary School’s commitment to uphold the SAKGF philosophy:

As a member of the kitchen garden community, SAKGF requests that our school safeguard the use of the brand by delivering the Program as per the requirements and philosophy set out below, always ensuring that the brand is only ever accompanied by messages or images reflecting the SAKGF philosophy.

As a Kitchen Garden National Program School, we uphold the Program’s philosophy:

During garden and kitchen classes;

At school and fundraising events which use SAKGF branding (including all food items presented as representing the Foundation);

When our school is talking about the Program in newsletters or similar communications;

When our school otherwise uses the SAKGF branding.

OUR KITCHEN GARDEN KIDS...

Love cooking and gardening

Cook and eat new foods on a regular basis

Build self-esteem and trust through experience-based gardening and cooking activities

Connect their learning from the garden and kitchen across the curriculum

Enjoy physical activity

Develop social skills

Learn about different cultures and traditions