LAST term Year 6 students at St Joseph’s Primary School in Coleraine embarked on a meaningful project where they used food from the school’s garden to create healthy snacks and meals to sell to children at school.

St Joseph’s Year 3/4 teacher, Emily Dwyer, said that with the funds raised the students decided to invest in the future of their school and environment by purchasing fruit trees from the reputable Casterton Nursery.

“We are thrilled to announce that the trees were ordered and arrived on Wednesday, November 15,” she said.

“What makes this endeavour even more remarkable is the support we have received from the local community.

“Craig (Wood) and his wife, dedicated members of our town, have generously volunteered their time to deliver and assist us in planting these trees – their contribution is a testament to the spirit of unity and collaboration that thrives in our community.

“Additionally, we are grateful to have the expertise of Monique Sobey (Healthy Kids advisor), a passionate advocate for environmental causes, who will be joining us to offer her invaluable insights and guidance throughout this project.

“Monique has been a big supporter of our Kids Kitchen and helped us initially set up and get the ball rolling.

“The initiative not only fosters a sense of stewardship and responsibility among our students but also serves as a shining example of how small actions can lead to lasting, positive impacts on our environment.

St Joseph’s Year 6 student, Lacey Dickson, said they had been involved in the Kids Kitchen for two terms and the Year 6 students started it to raise money for mini Vinnie’s and to pay back the school the students bought fruit trees with the extra money the kitchen provided.

“Throughout the year we have raised $1018,” she said.

Ms Dwyer said the students bought some fruit trees as well as native plants, with the rest going to Saint Vincent de Paul in Casterton as part of the mini Vinnie’s group.

“The idea of mini Vinnie’s is not to give them a handout but a hand up – so we’re hoping this money can be given to some kids that might not get Christmas presents or might not have food,” she said.

“The food was bought by the students at the school which was a little canteen – and they cooked pizza, muffins, baked potatoes.

“Monique really kicked us off when she came out in Term 1 and met with the Year 6s and they came up with the Kids Kitchen idea which is called St Joe’s Kitchen, which is a little canteen for the school.

“We have had lots of help from a couple of parents of the Year 6 students – they’ve come in and helped cook and the kids made it, sold it and cleaned up.

“The idea was also trying to use some veggies from the garden - we couldn’t always do that, but that was a big part of it.

“So, the students chose some fruit trees that hopefully the kids in Prep, when they’re in Grade 6 they might be able to pick the fruit off the trees, so that’s the idea of it.”

Ms Dwyer said the school is trying to help the kids realise that you don’t always get immediate gain out of something, but they’re putting something back into the school in their last year.

“So, it’s the first time this year that we have done it, but we think it will be a good thing to do again next year,” she said.

Ms Sobey said it was all the students’ idea, but she just came out with a few ideas and then they had all the decisions and made all the menu choices and came up with the names and the ideas.