By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Pupils are determined to transform Arnolds Creek Primary School into a foodie haven.
They will grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh food, thanks to funding from the state government’s Playground to Plate program.
School principal Frank Pawlowicz says they’ll transform a section of the schoolyard into an outdoor kitchen, decked out with gas barbecues and garden planters.
Mr Pawlowicz said the staff and pupils had always been passionate about gardening and cooking.
“We’re trying a holistic approach at the school … and part of that is teaching the kids to grow their own vegetables,” he said. “We have a gardening club up and running this year, and they’ve been preparing the garden.”
One hundred schools received funding in this year’s round of Playground to Plate.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the program was an excellent opportunity to teach children about the health benefits of fresh and seasonal food.
“Developing a food culture that values health and wellbeing during childhood helps to ensure lifelong healthy decisions and actions and build healthy habits into the future,” Ms Hennessy said.
