School Gardening Club

[Chuckles]

Would love an update even if it's a quicky ;D

I've salavaged some bits and bobs of wood from the summer house build, thought they'd be good for making some boxes. On my never ending list of jobs I'd like to do sometime ;D

[4pygmies]

Hiya Chuckles Not much going on atm...I'm waiting for the Summer term to start really. I have some first early potatoes to put in the GH to chit but one of the roof panels blew out of shape last week so OH is going to fix that tonight. I shall leave them to chit in there over the Easter holiday. We put the camera bird box up in the wild garden but the weather has been too wild to go and connect it to the cable. The ponds seem to be going OK, no sign of any toad or frog activity though.
Our main task is to put up the remaining raised beds and try and find a way to fill them up! There is as little interest as ever from the parents and most of the teachers but never mind. I am used to it by now! ;D

[Chuckles]

Mar 11, 2008 14:21:19 GMT 4pygmies said:

Hiya Chuckles Not much going on atm...I'm waiting for the Summer term to start really. I have some first early potatoes to put in the GH to chit but one of the roof panels blew out of shape last week so OH is going to fix that tonight. I shall leave them to chit in there over the Easter holiday. We put the camera bird box up in the wild garden but the weather has been too wild to go and connect it to the cable. The ponds seem to be going OK, no sign of any toad or frog activity though.
Our main task is to put up the remaining raised beds and try and find a way to fill them up! There is as little interest as ever from the parents and most of the teachers but never mind. I am used to it by now! ;D

Sounds like you are well organised as usual 4P ;D If only some of the parents and teachers could just manage to have even 10% of the enthusiasm you have you'd been on to a winner, keep at it Mrs

[4pygmies]

I know I'm a bit of a stranger on this board these days so not many people are aware of (or even interested in : my epic struggle to get a Gardening Club going ;D, but for those who are interested - I had a visit from an Education therapist yesterday morning (she spoke to smallest who is having some anxiety problems at school). Smallest told about my Gardening Club and how I want to get the whole school going green. Anyway she asked if we could hold a 'nurturing session' with a small group of children in the greenhouse next week sowing seeds so she can spend some time with her 'clients' in a positive, interesting way talking to them and encouraging them to help each other. Isn't that fascinating and GREAT? We are going to do it during a lunchtime so I'm hoping it will also intrigue a few other kids and will encourage them to get involved. I am really looking forward to it - the theraputic value of gardening is a wonderful thing. Wow! I wonder if I can get her to make it a regular event?
I've been a bit worried about Gardening Club as my illness has stopped me getting going but now I am revitalised and am going to drag more parents in to help me even if they kick and scream! ;D (And I know they will.....)
AND a couple of teachers have asked if it's OK to use an area of the GH to grow things as part of some curriculum work - which is really good too. It's been a very slow and frustrating job but maybe things are starting to come together now all the essentials are assembled. I do hope so

[Tig]

Well done for persevering 4P - once they start having a go and getting some results they will become enthusiastic I'm sure
x Tig

[Chuckles]

Thats great news 4P, it's just what you needed isn't it. Getting someone on board from the education side is fantastic and the teachers now showing an interest too I reckon they have thought about this and can now see some of the benifits, especially as they'd like it to be part of the curriculum work. Make sure they don't get all the praise though coz it smacks of someone seeing an opportunity to get browny points if you ask me. Support from the school is paramount I guess, lets just hope some of the parents now get a bit more motivated too. Didn't realise you had been ill 4P glad it's given you a good boost, drag um in and make them get their hands dirty ;D

[Shrubrose]

I'll bet there's a few teachers et al, who are wondering how they might weave the opportunities you've created 4P into their curriculum. Sometimes, good things take time to grow.

[4pygmies]

Gardening in school seems to have taken off this term - several of the classes are doing stuff as part of the curriculum work and I am helping wherever I can. Despite the lack of parent helpers I am having a regular session every Wednesday lunchtime with a small group. We are sowing seeds, planting shrubs in the wildlife garden and doing some basic pond maintenance.
One of the flower beds has been taken over by a Year 3 experiment growing spuds which has severely reduced my planting space but never mind! The GH is filling up with stuff and I am always being interrupted during a session by children wanting to join in - it's such a shame that I'm not allowed to have a lot of students at one time because of all the H&S stuff....
And, at last, one or two of the teachers are asking me about planting up the little borders outside their classrooms. I go in on a Friday afternoon for an hour to help with that now. Also one or two of the parents have been interested in growing with the children at home so I am encouraging that too. I am giving away quite a lot of tomato and broccoli plants atm
I have taken to telling every child that I have to refuse gardening club to tell their teacher and their parents that they want to garden, and making sure they are nagging to go outside and look at what's going on!
I wish someone would PAY me to do this! I can't spend any more time as a volunteer cos I have to work! It's so frustrating that there are no funds available for this sort of thing - I do feel so strongly that it should be part of every schoolchild's experience on a weekly basis - what a wasted opportunity it is.... I know there are Government plans afoot to encourage gardening in schools but I wish they'd get on with it!
My plan for next year is to wheedle the Head into letting me have a small unused and unloved patch of grass away from the main playing fields as a mini allotment so I can encourage everyone to grow their own... ;D
And the good news is that the Groundsmen have been in and they left the wildlife garden alone! Hurray...... ;D

[Shrubrose]

Ooo 4P, I just had an idea - why dont you write to the Minister for Education and tell him you're interested in the Department's plans for introducing gardening into the school curriculum. More work I know. Tell him about the work you're pioneering with your local school and send him some pics of happy children with some of their stories as to why they love it. Then get some quotes from interested teachers as to the benefits. Copy it to your local MP too (they can help and it's good PR for them too). Politicians are always on the look out for local pioneers to help them spearhead initiatives. You never know you could become a Government Policy Adviser! ;D

[4pygmies]

Good thought Shrubrose, thank you, but I think the Education dept are already quite keen on introducing a lot of elements, which could be taught through gardening or enironmental studies, into the curriculum already. There are a lot of initiatives going on atm concerning linking schools more with their communities to encourage people into schools. Local gardening groups, wildlife trusts, Forestry workers and anyone else relevant will be welcomed into networks of schools - the lady who helps me has just been promoted to do work to foster this and has already discussed with me using my school as a link point with other schools since we have done a fair bit of the groundwork necessary already. As ever, the lack of volunteers and the pressures of curriculum and SATS testing for the teachers means it is difficult to find the space to introduce yet more things for their students..it is sooo frustrating! If teachers were free to actually do some creative teaching instead of worrying about SATS, Ofsted and those wonderful schools tables then this sort of nurturing and valuable teaching could really take hold, and then who knows what the future would hold?

[4pygmies]

Not precisely about gardening in schools but very relevant to the issues that arise is a book called 'Toxic Childhood' by Sue Palmer. It is by turns scary, frustrating, and may cause a deep and violent rage to overtake the reader but it ,IMO, should be issued to every parent, teacher and ALL politicians in the land. It will make every parent who reads it want to redouble their efforts to do their very best to help their children grow up - I thoroughly recommend it! Please try and read it........

[Jardack]

4P, I have been following your thread and thought I would share this - my daughter is in reception year and they are taught by topic each term - this term is "growing"

They have loads of plant pots which they've sown different seeds in, beans in a glass, spuds in bags and a couple of beds.

They are coming home every day covered in mud but full of excitement about thing different seeds they've planted, what is growing etc

The PTA is also arranging a "dig" one weekend to make another bed and coercing parents into helping (bribing with a bbq I think was the last ploy!)

She has always loved helping me in the garden but is now telling me how seeds grow, what they need and was so proud when the seeds we'd planted in a pot at home started to show!

Hopefully more schools will do this, which will allow more gardening clubs to bloom so that volunteers like you get more and more back.

Jardack

[4pygmies]

Oh that's lovely to hear, Jardack! Thanks for writing about it - it's wonderful how children respond to growing things isn't it? It's so rewarding when you can see them revelling in the pleasure of it all - it makes all the frustration and irritation worth it.....it's brilliant find out about other schools doing this stuff and how they manage to get parents roped it too ;D

[Jardack]

It's great - the only problem is getting school uniform washed and dried again for the next day would be so much easier if they'd wear aprons... but then again I don't when I am gardening

[4pygmies]

I thought I'd do an update for anyone interested and tell you my news (bursting to actually ;D). Gardening Club has continued - struggling but managing this term - not due to lack of interest by the kids but because of the usual chronic adult apathy. We have harvested some potatoes and grown runner beans in pots, amongst other things, which will go home with the children soon. The bad news is that the only teacher who has really shown any interest is leaving this term so I dunno what the future holds.....I am as keen as ever but the disinterest and apathy of the parents and some of the teachers has been very disheartening. Tbh, I find the whole thing very depressing - it's always well supported in theory but someone else's job in reality......parents have been given the opportunity to do a huge amount in schools recently but so few are bothered. It makes me despair, it really does...I just don't understand why they can't get off their a**es and do something...
It's such a shame as there is a huge amount of work being done by the Education Dept. and private institutions to get this sort of stuff going in schools across the country but I am beginning to believe that it will founder because of the lack of support, just as my little efforts have. Gardening in schools is becoming very important and I believe will soon be an essential part of the curriculum. There are many people striving to make it so, I hope they have more success than me
Anyway, the good news is that I've only gone and got a job being paid to do this!! It's not in a school and is only for a very few hours a week (as funding allows) but I shall be supervising and encouraging adults with learning difficulties at a place called Ecotech in Norfolk. I am working for a charity trying to teach Science through gardening. They have a rather large organic garden based around a wind turbine (oooo!) and the whole place is just up my street! I am really looking forward to it - I hope I can continue gardening club at school but tbh, my heart isn't in it anymore as I am soo disgusted at the lack of support. There is a small group of really keen children whom I shall continue to garden with but I have abandoned all the plans I had to get the whole school greener and interested on growing things - it has taken up a huge amount of my time (and cost me a fortune) but I am finally flinging in the trowel ( )......and going on to other things.
I know this might offend people but I am soooooo pi**ed off at the majority of parents attitude to schools and their offspring's education. They are appalling! Why have they had children? It makes me wonder......or is that a sign of my age?

[Tig]

Definitely a sign of age 4P ;D Shame about the school project not being well supported, not everyone shares our passion! Lovely to hear about your new job though, that sounds wonderful, and will be very rewarding I'm sure. You will offer plenty of support and encouragement to those engaged with Ecotech who in turn will benefit from engaging in productive activities. x Tig

[oldmoleskins]

Dunno what to say, 4P other than they'll miss you when you've gone...

And well done on the jobfront.

OM.

[Chuckles]

Ditto to Tig and OM's comments. It's such shame because I'm sure some of the parents would really have quite enjoyed being involved if only they had made more effort found the time.

[Juliet]

Very sad about the school 4P - as OM says, perhaps when you've gone they'll realise what they're missing.

Congrats on the job though - sounds great, & right up your street!

[Jardack]

4P many congratulations on your job, I am sure you will really enjoy it as it sounds great!

Re the school, that is such a shame There is no gardening club at my daughters school, but as a said above, they are teaching their topic this term through gardening and all the kids seem to love it - the whole school is now taking part which is so good to see.

Wasn't sure whether to post this next bit as didn't want to depress you further but wanted to share The school entered their veg into the local horticultural show and her class won first prize for their spuds They got gardening equipment and vouchers so the school can carry on next year.

The kids then cooked what they'd grown and ate it for snack at breaktime. My daughter now loves mange tout!!

I really hope that with the new intake in September you find some more parents that are interested in helping you out - or that the replacement teacher will be interested too...

Jardack

[4pygmies]

That's really nice to hear Jardack - it didn't depress me though - it's great to hear that other school are succeeding where I failed!
And many thanks for everyone else's comments. Sadly, I don't think smallest or I will be back at that school in September. I am trying to get her a place at the school my granddaughter attends in the next village. Smallest hasn't been happy there for the last 3 years and I am so peed off with the whole place that I have decided to make the change. I hope they have room for her or I don't know what we'll do - unless there's a sea change in attitude from the staff and the parents I am very reluctant to subject either of us to another year of misery and frustration.
And this other school has a thriving school garden too........trying NOT to let that influence me too much!

[bagpuss]

I don't agree that you failed 4P. It's not you who failed it's the school and parents who failed both you and the pupils.

Good luck with the new job and hope the opportunity at the other school works out for you. It sounds as though they would be more deserving of you.

Also, have you and Pru booked in for Chelsea, Tatton or Hampton Court next year yet?!

[Chuckles]

Any news on the new school and job or shoudn't I ask

[4pygmies]

Hi Chuckles! The new job went very well, thanks - 4 adults with learning difficulties and they like gardening! It was boiling hot and the ground was as hard as nails so we didn't achieve much really the first session - so we spent a lot of time wandering about the organic garden, watching the wind turbine and taking refreshments in the organic cafe.......it was terrible....... ;D
I think it's going to real fun for the next six weeks, I hope they can get funding for the next course in place soon - it feels like a really worthwhile thing to be doing.
And smallest's new school has a small but potentially rather lovely garden, a HOOOGE stand of bamboo, proper wildlife pond (in the ground, large and with seats for lessons!!) and an already up and running gardening club (but they definitely need ME! ;D), a teacher already committed to all things green and a young, keen headteacher who was deeeelighted to hear about my interest in gardening in schools......they even have a 'green' policy up in the school entrance WOW.......it's not a large school or a large area but.....cor.......
I can't wait.............do you think they'll know what's hit them in September??

[Juliet]

Glad to hear you've managed to get smallest a place in the other school, 4P - & it sounds much more "you" as well!

[Chuckles]

Jul 31, 2008 6:45:25 GMT 4pygmies said:

Hi Chuckles! The new job went very well, thanks - 4 adults with learning difficulties and they like gardening! It was boiling hot and the ground was as hard as nails so we didn't achieve much really the first session - so we spent a lot of time wandering about the organic garden, watching the wind turbine and taking refreshments in the organic cafe.......it was terrible....... ;D
I think it's going to real fun for the next six weeks, I hope they can get funding for the next course in place soon - it feels like a really worthwhile thing to be doing.
And smallest's new school has a small but potentially rather lovely garden, a HOOOGE stand of bamboo, proper wildlife pond (in the ground, large and with seats for lessons!!) and an already up and running gardening club (but they definitely need ME! ;D), a teacher already committed to all things green and a young, keen headteacher who was deeeelighted to hear about my interest in gardening in schools......they even have a 'green' policy up in the school entrance WOW.......it's not a large school or a large area but.....cor.......
I can't wait.............do you think they'll know what's hit them in September??

Thats really great 4P it all sounds just the ticket for you both. It's been a long time coming but I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. I truly believe that if you keep looking and trying there is always something out there to satisfy us all, it's great to want to do things to help others IMO and sooooo rewarding. Now just pace yourself and don't go mad The school sounds brill, hope smallest settles in well, I'm sure she will

I love reading what you get up to so please keep us posted. Not long till September where has the year gone.

[Jardack]

Oh that is good news 4P, I hope she settles in at the new school really quickly - and you manage to get helping with the school gardening club

Glad the new job is working out too, hope you manage to get a little more gardening done next time (although the cafe sounds v nice)

Jardack

[Juliet]

How are things going, 4P?

I saw this:

www.edibleplaygrounds.co.uk/win-stuff/starter-kit

& I thought of you

Don't know if smallest's new school would be interested, if they've already got a gardening club going, but it seemed worth mentioning.

[Chuckles]

How's it going 4P, September has been and gone and October where do the months go.

[4pygmies]

Hiya Chuckles! I haven't been about for ages due to lack of time.......it's November now! I have been working all summer and Autumn with my new job (still in the leek shed with Prue too) and I LOVE it! I have a lovely group of people to work with and we have been beavering away - I do two days a week, one day a one-to-one session, the other with a group of 4 adults with learning difficulties. They are great though - we have a real laugh, they enjoy it so much the course has been extended until the weather stops us!
Smallest really loves the new school and I have a huge group of children every Wednesday lunchtime - it's total chaos but we have a laugh. Smallest says they think I'm a loony but in a good way...... so far this term we have built a wildlife winter habitat out of pallets (a la Lottie Lady), cleared the existing raised bed and manured it, had a fantastic but mucky session looking at half decomposed leaf mould - ooh they loved that! Filled several massive bags with leaves from the playing field and generally had a good look at what's in their little school garden. The teacher involved stands back and lets me run the session, just trying to keep control and stop it all descending into anarchy - he's very nice but doesn't seem to have much gardening knowledge. But the kids do - so many of them have wildlife ponds, grow veggies and are interested at home it's really encouraging. And soo different from the last school - which is only 4 miles down the road. I think it's the difference between a village still predominantly agricultural with quite a lot of the residents with related to each other ( sounds dodgy but it's not! ;D ) and one that has had a huge influx of 'foreigners' - seems to make a big difference.....
I'm so sorry I've been a stranger - I work 5 days a week atm, although not full time...it's a bit tricky getting everything in.....how are you, sugar?

Oh and Prue has decided to give a show garden a miss this year - she doesn't want to go through all that financial worry again she says, so she's going to wait until th memory has faded a bit! I don't blame her....but 2010 is a possibility......