Garden to Table

Our Garden to Table programme gives our tamariki the chance to get their hands dirty, learn where their food comes from, and enjoy the rewards of growing, harvesting and cooking their own kai.

Our school gardens are a busy part of life at Waitoki, with tamariki involved in planting, caring for and harvesting seasonal produce. Alongside our vegetable and sensory gardens, our rural setting gives us plenty of opportunities to connect learning with the natural world, including our school chickens and other animals.

Once the produce is ready to harvest, tamariki take it into the kitchen to prepare and cook meals from scratch. They learn practical skills such as using kitchen tools, following recipes, weighing and measuring, food preparation and working safely in the kitchen. These hands-on experiences naturally connect with learning in areas such as maths, science, health and literacy.

Garden to Table is also about much more than growing and cooking. Tamariki learn to work together, take responsibility, care for our gardens and animals, and make the most of what we have. There is a real sense of achievement in watching something grow, turning it into a meal and then sitting down together to share it.

For our tamariki, Garden to Table is practical, hands-on learning that builds confidence, independence and lifelong skills - all while enjoying the simple pleasure of growing and sharing good kai together.