Upokongaro School
School Vege Challenge 2023
Harvest Time & Judging
Mid Challenge Update
Getting Going
Looking forward to growing some delicious veges again this year, and hopefully be in the running for some prizes!
School Vege Challenge 2022
Harvest Time & Judging
Llewy has the first broccoli, which we picked on Friday (27th May). Our kids have loved it and we look forward to future competitions.
Mid Challenge Update
As we arrived, we were spotted by the principal, Warren Brown. We were warmly welcomed and taken to the vegetable gardens which are beside the junior classrooms who look after them.
Warren is proud of how the gardens have been looked after and the project engagement from the kids. The junior teacher Liana Topia bought out four children who are the most excited about the garden.
It is a country school with two big black cows only metres away over the fence. I asked if they had names; one of the children, a girl called Jesse, said they were called moo moo and piggy. A cat appeared and one of the boys picked it up. These kids love nature and the outdoors.
The garden is growing but like many of the schools the brassicas have got holes in their leaves. They also have some tomatoes growing from the end of last year. One of the kids picks one and eats it.
Showing enthusiasm there is another bed being prepared. This empty bed is going to be for a term two project to grow the heritage purple carrot seeds we gave them. The carrots will be a good focus to grow in the coming term. I’m looking forward to seeing the garden again in a couple of months.
Getting Going
We are a small school with loads of enthusiasm. Our students love getting outdoors, and the School Vege Challenge will be a great way to do this.
Our Student Inquiries this year all relate to growing – growing ourselves as students, as learners, and growing relationships. Our Term 2 focus is “Living World, Grow On!” We would love to link how this all relates to growing in the garden. We have a small vege garden outside our class which we would love to expand and grow veges for the school, and for students to learn about cooking their own kai.
