Welcome to the First posting.

This will be the first of many postings that I will be making to keep the community informed on the progress of Burpengary State School's Green Garden Project, the chicken run, the kitchen  and the Life Skills Program.

Over the coming months you will see how the gardens are taking shape and as the kitchen comes on line, I will be updating you on what's happening there, as well as recipes of what the children have been cooking.

This first week has seen a lot of behind the scenes preparation. There  are plans to draw, development applications to make and quotes to be gathered for fencing, gates and other necessary items needed to be acquired before the first sod of dirt is turned.

Already we have had parents from the school offer their services and valuable infrastructure, that will ultimately make this project a resounding success. To those parents, a big thank you!

For those that are not familiar with the layout of the school, the photo at right shows where the garden will be situated. It is protected in the east by the P & C wall (great for winter heat retention and radiation) and surrounded by the Year 3 classrooms, the library and (what will be after construction of the new classroom block) the LOTE rooms. As you can see we won't have a shortage of water with that huge supply sitting at the far end of the garden. This whole area will be fenced to deter unwanted visitors.

Down near the Prep/Grade 1 play area is going the chicken run. We hope to have approximately 30 chickens. I'm sure that the Preps and lower grade children will fall in love with them.

There is a lot of work to be done before they arrive. We already have, what will be their coop, but it needs some major renovations to make it habitable. There is also fencing to go around it and a roof to go over the top of the entire run.

All this will take time and effort but in the long run, what an asset for the children.
Once this program is up and running at full speed, all children across all year levels will be involved.
To make this successful the children need to take "ownership" of this project. To make it even greater the Burpengary school community needs to also take on board ownership.
As the program builds up the school will be asking for volunteers to help in the construction side of the gardens. We will be asking for helpers both in the garden and in the kitchen.
A couple of hours of either your time or some resources will make a world of difference I can think of no better way to support your children's school  and claim your ownership on a small part of this exciting project.
Please give me your thoughts and any ideas you have .
Till next week when I give you another update;

Stay safe and enjoy life.

Ross Tattersall