Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Kitchen

At Montmorency South Primary School our ‘Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden’ kitchen program is a vibrant, hands-on learning experience that teaches children the joys of cooking and sharing seasonal, fresh food.
Working in small groups, students use ingredients they’ve grown in our school garden to prepare delicious, wholesome meals. Under the guidance of our kitchen specialist, they learn essential cooking techniques, kitchen safety, teamwork, and the value of fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Children are encouraged to explore new tastes, appreciate different cultures through food, and gain confidence in their own abilities. Recipes are chosen to suit the season and are often inspired by global cuisines, helping to broaden students’ palates and cultural understanding.
More than just cooking, the kitchen classes build life skills and nurture a sense of responsibility, collaboration, and pride in creating meals from scratch. The program fosters a positive food culture and empowers students to be more adventurous when trying new foods.
Our Monty South kitchen classes are a much-loved part of our curriculum. The program provides students with opportunities to build literacy, numeracy and social skills through a practical approach. Students gain a lasting appreciation for fresh produce, the joy of shared meals, and the satisfaction of nourishing themselves and others.
This program relies on the generous support provided by our parent, grandparent and community volunteers. If you would like to join us, please contact our kitchen specialist Cathryn Hulme. Cathryn.hulme@education.vic.gov.au

SAKG Vision: Children form positive food habits for life. The Mission: We provide the inspiration, information, professional learning and support for educational institutions to deliver pleasurable food education, in conjunction with educators, partners and the wider community. To find out more information please check out the Kitchen Garden Foundations website. https://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au

Garden

The garden is where our learning takes root and grows, offering students the chance to immerse themselves in the full cycle of food production; from sowing seeds to savouring fresh produce right off the plant.

In this lively space, students take an active role in every aspect of garden care. They plant seeds, nurture compost, tend to our worm farms, and ensure our chickens are well-fed and happy. They also explore the vital importance of ecosystems and biodiversity, learning about Indigenous gardens and how they can further support biodiversity and local wildlife.

As part of the program, students take pride in harvesting vegetables, herbs and flowers and every fortnight, the vibrant energy of the garden is brought to life at our market stall, where students prepare and sell seasonal vegetables, plants, seedlings, and garden products. It’s an exciting opportunity for students to learn entrepreneurship and teamwork.

The garden program fosters a deep connection to the environment, promoting sustainability, healthy eating, and a sense of community as students care for this shared, thriving space – an essential part of who we are.