Pupils create people place

Pupils Kane Heka (11) and Ayson White (12) tend  carrots in the Owaka Community Gardens. Photo by...
Pupils Kane Heka (11) and Ayson White (12) tend carrots in the Owaka Community Gardens. Photo by Rachel Taylor.
The pupils of Catlins Area School room 6 have created a place for people to "hang around" - and also do some weeding and plant some seeds if they feel the urge.

The room's Owaka Community Gardens will be presented to the community tomorrow at 2.30pm.

Teacher Fiona McGregor said the year 7 and 8 pupils started the garden project last year.

"Anyone is welcome to help themselves [to vegetables], but if you take, you give something back."

Community members could give back to the garden by weeding, buying seeds, or helping with general maintenance, she said.

Last year, the class built raised beds to create the garden on land behind the township's playcentre, planting vegetables and strawberries and organising water and compost, before adding a shed and picnic tables.

"They really just wanted a place where people could come and hang around. It's been here for two years, and hasn't been prone to any vandalism or anything," Ms McGregor said.

The garden will be run by a committee of five, comprising pupils and members of the community. The project had been well supported by parents and businesses, she said.

 

 

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