What's happening in 2011
This year we have an advanced Gardening Group and two novice Garden Groups.

School Garden Competition
Now  there are ten  school  gardens (many thanks to Michael and Brian and working bee helpers) along the school fence. The soil came  from our  compost bins and the extra mulch was donated by Thin It Limited.
These gardens are used by the Advanced Garden Students for the   School Garden competition. The goal is to encourage our students to grow their own vegetables and herbs and to gain a greater understanding of horticulture and sustainable practices. The garden may contain vegetables, herbs and companion or edible flowers. Each garden will be judged on sustainable practices and regular maintenance and planting as evidenced by the photographs taken and presented as a journal for the judging. Alongside of this the creativity of the garden itself in November.  The Competition started term two with judging carried out on the 18th November 2011 by special guests. The photographic journal must be completed by this date. The winning garden trophy will be presented at school assembly on Wednesday the 30th of November 2011. Students have entered their school garden in the competition by filling in an entry form from the school office.  A photo of the garden before cultivation will need to be provided with the entry form. The class camera can be used if students gain permission from the class teacher.  It is expected that regular photographs will be taken to show the progress as it occurs and this will become part of the judging process.  Students could enter as individuals or share a garden with a friend in the garden club. They can receive advice from an adult but must do all the work themselves during school breaks.
Gardening is an active activity that brings families together.
This is a great opportunity to get mum, dad, an uncle, aunty, grandad, or nana involved with advice.  An average family could save $30 to $40 a week from thier grocery bill by putting in a vegetable garden.

Palmers Garden Centre in Bethlehem are  supporting  the Garden Competition by giving a 50% discount on purchases of seeds and punnets of plants to the children taking part in this competition.   

Fruit, Berry and Herb Garden
A new novice garden group are creating the fruit, herb and berry gardens along the fence line.  The tree for paper scheme has resulted in a donation of 21 feijoa trees which are still to come.  Some of which will be planted in this area and the rest will be sold to parents as a fundraiser for new plants.

Butterfly Garden
Another group are working together on the garden by the school garage.  This is to be planted with Swan plants and wildflowers that will attract the butterflies.  This garden links to our membership of The Monach Butterfly Trust.  Each year we participate in tagging butterflies to trace heir migration.  The basic skills of maintenance and planting will be the focus of this group and once again we are being kindly supported by Palmers Bethlehem.