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Health and Well-being Policy

The ACT Department of Education and Training has included health and well-being in the new curriculum document ‘Every Chance to Learn’.  The Essential Learning 15, ‘The student takes action to promote health and well-being’, focuses on the need to educate students on physical, emotional, mental, cognitive, social and spiritual development.  Healthy food habits are part of the essential content for all bands of development. 

A Health, Physical Education and Sport Policy was also developed by the ACT Department of Education and Training.  It states that:

‘Health education is the process of learning, which provides the opportunity for students to develop decision-making skills and a greater understanding of personal health and those health problems, which affect local, national and world populations’

The ACT Sustainable Schools Initiative embraces health and well being through promoting the inclusions of gardens in schools.  The fresh produce from the gardens can be used in the school canteen as well as being sold to the school community.  Having a gardening area in the school  is inclusive of well-being as it encourages students to get outside and socialise in a relaxed, friendly and fun environment.

Garden in your school

20 reasons to have a garden in your school

1. The garden provides a context for understanding seasonality and life cycles.
2. It’s an opportunity to work cooperatively on real tasks.
3. Sensory experience becomes a part of a child’s day at school.
4. The garden provides opportunities for one-on-one time for teachers and students to talk.
5. The garden creates a common experience to build on in multiple settings – from classroom to celebration.
6. Students understand the role of food in life – the garden allows us to improve nutrition and highlight healthy foods.
7. Students learn about where food really comes from.
8. Garden experiences reinforce classroom curriculum.
9. Gardens provide opportunities for community involvement – a link with neighbours, volunteers, parents and community businesses.
10. A garden offers opportunities to teach life skills such as gardening and cooking.
11. The garden setting helps broaden the way teachers look at both curriculum and their students.
12. The garden provides a connection for the students to their school.
13. The garden can provide a context for rituals and celebrations.
14. A garden promotes risk taking, such as trying new foods, activities and friends.
15. Students value the garden – their sense of pride and ownership discourages vandalism.
16. The garden offers opportunities for students to practice their observation skills.
17. In the garden students build vocabulary both small and large.
18. The garden offers opportunities to integrate curriculum across subject areas.
19. In the garden, students can observe all of the principles of ecology in practice.
20. The skills and messages students learn about healthy food in the school garden can be transferred back to their homes.

For more information see:
http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/howto.html 

 

School Projects

The Walking Bus Project

The Walking School Bus Project is a program to increase student health and well being and to develop awareness about sustainable transport.  The YWCA manages the program with 19 Schools involved, many having 2-3 routes. For more information, go to:
http://www.ywca-canberra.org.au/walking_school_bus.htm 

Using produce

What some ACT schools are doing with their gardens?

Hawker Primary School – market days

Students at Hawker PS are very proud of their courtyard garden. When produce is ripe and plentiful the students hold a market day where they sell their produce to the school community. The money they raise helps purchase more seeds and materials for their next crop

Canberra Girls Grammar Junior School – produce to nursing home

The students at Girls Grammar Junior School have a number of raised garden beds that they built from a grant.
The students give their produce to the nearby nursing home.

Evatt Primary School

Evatt Primary School have used some of their produce for cooking. They have a number of raised garden beds in their environment centre as well as water tanks, worm farms and a greenhouse.

Curtin Primary School – produce sold at school fair

Curtin Primary School students have established a raised garden bed in their senior courtyard. Produce ripe and ready around the time of the school fair is sold at the fair.

 
Recipe ideas:

• Zucchini Slice 
• Spinach and Fetta Slice 
• Warm spinach and bean salad 
• Pumpkin & spinach pizzas 
• Zucchini and capsicum fritters with spinach salad 
• Penne with pumpkin, spinach and ricotta 
• Tomato Bruschetta 
• Mushroom, bacon & tomato omelette 
• Ham and tomato cheese scrolls 
• Pineapple, corn and tomato salad 
• Corn pikelets with tomato salsa 

What & when to plant

Planting Calendar

Devised by Annette McFarlane, and printed in The Sunday Mail, 11 January 2004

WINTER

Slowed growth provides an opportunity to tackle major landscaping projects. Frost plagues inland gardeners, but elsewhere attention should be paid to make optimum use of scarce water resources.

Seasonal tasks

• Plant roses, deciduous trees and shrubs and frangipani cuttings
• Prune roses, deciduous plants and swollen gallwasp stems on citrus
• Relocate poorly positioned trees and shrubs to new areas
• Control carrot-like bindii eye weed in lawn to avoid painful burrs during summer
• Fertilise citrus, passion fruit, native plants and emerging bulbs

June

In bloom: camellia, colvillea, grevillea, ipomoea vine, poinsettia and tabebuia

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: calendula, cornflower, dianthus, kale, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, straw flower and viola
Cool temperate: As for subtropical plus candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, delphinium, English daisy, godetia, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, poppy, primula, schizanthus, snapdragon, stock, sweet pea, sweet William and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, spring onion and turnip
Tropical: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silverbeet, squash, swede, sweet potatoes and tomato
Subtropical: beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, celery, endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, silverbeet, spinach, swede, sweet potatoes and tomato
Cool temperate: parsnip and peas

 

July

In bloom: wattle, shower orchid (Congea) dombeya, coral tree (Erythrina), orange trumpet vine (Pyrostegia)

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: amaranthus, cosmos, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, terenia and zinnia
Cool temperate: calendula, candy tuft, dianthus, kale, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, primula, statice, straw flower, verbena, viola

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, spring onion and turnip
Tropical: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silverbeet, squash, swede, sweet potato and tomato
Subtropical: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, celery, endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, peas, potatoes, silverbeet, swede, sweet potato and tomato
Cool temperate: cauliflower, garlic, parsnip and peas

 

August

In bloom: azalea, Geraldton wax, jasmine, magnolia and tabebuia

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, petunia, marigold
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, cosmos, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, salvia, sunflower and zinnia
Cool temperate: calendula, lobelia, nenesia, pansy. phlox, statice, straw flower and viola

Vegetables to plant

All zones: kohl rabi, lettuce and radish
Tropical/Subtropical: beetroot, carrot, capsicum, celery, cucumber, egg plant, French beans, okra, potatoes, pumpkin, silverbeet, spring onions, squash, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini
Cool temperate: cabbage, cauliflower, celery and silverbeet

 

SPRING

It is easy to be inspired by the colour and perfume of annuals and bulbs in flower in temperate and subtropical regions. Even as the buildup to the set season begins, flower and vegetable gardens in the tropics continue to soldier on. Visit your local nursery to check out new release plants and the latest gardening trends.

Seasonal tasks

• Fertilise bulbs, pawpaws, citrus and roses
• Protect seedlings from snails and slugs with non-toxic, iron-based baits
• Prune azaleas, hibiscus, poinsettias, and snowflake bush after flowering
• Repot and fertilise indoor plants
• Control azalea lace bug, aphids, scale, leaf miner and bronze orange bugs

September

In bloom: deciduous trees, azaleas, cymbidium orchids, hippeastrum, bombax tree and Marguerite daisy

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, begonia, cosmos, marigold and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, celosia, gomphrena, phlox, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical/Cool temperate: amaranthus, celosia, cleome, gomphrena, phlox, protulaca, slavia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, choko, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, lettuce, radish, spring onion, squash and tomato
Tropical: capsicum, kohl rabi, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon and zucchini
Subtropical: beetroot, capsicum, kohl rabi, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, silver beet, sweet corn, seet potato, watermelon and zucchini
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, silver beet and sweet corn

 

October

In bloom: callistemon, jacaranda, tree waratah (alloxylon), May bush, native frangipani (Hymenosporum), and star jasmine

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, amaranthus,begonia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia, torenia and zinnia
Tropical: gomphrena and phlox
Subtropical/Cool temperate: as for tropics plus aster, celosia, cleome and sunflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, choko, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, lettuce, okra, pumpkin,radish, spring onion, tomato and zucchini
Tropical: rockmelon, rosella, squash, sweet potato and watermelon
Subtropical: as for tropical plus sweet corn
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, onion,parsnip, potato, silver beet, squash and sweet corn

 

SUMMER

Plants grow at triffid-like rates with more time spent trimming, weeding and mowing. Heat, humidity, seasonal festivities and holidays can make it difficult to keep on top of things in this season of hectic growth.

Seasonal tasks

• Prune poinsettias, azaleas, camellias, gardenias and dead heads from roses
• Look for dead patches in lawns caused by lawn grubs
• Prune fruit trees in the tropics in preparation for the wet season
• Fertilise the entire garden with an organically based fertiliser
• Watch out for caterpillars on citrus, impatiens and white cedar

December

In bloom: brunfelsia, jacaranda, lilly pilly, racehorse tree (Schizolobium) and sandpaper vine (Petrea)

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Tropical: amaranthus and celosia
Subtropical/cool temperate: begonia, celosia, gomphrena, sunflower and torenia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, radish, snake bean, sweet potato, tomato and zucchini
Tropical: choko, okra, rockmelon, rosella and watermelon
Subtropical: choko, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella, sweet corn and watermelon
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, celery, French bean, onion, potato, pumpkin, silver beet, squash and sweet corn

 

January

In bloom: allamanda, buckinghamia, frangipani, Rangoon creeper (Quisqualis) and summer crocus

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Tropical: amaranthus
Subtropical/cool temperate: begonia, gomphrena, sunflower and torenia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, cucumber, lettuce, radish, tomato and zucchini
Tropical: choko, eggplant, rockmelon, snake bean, sweet potato, and watermelon
Subtropical: choko, eggplant, rockmelon, snake bean, sweet corn, sweet potato, and watermelon
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, French bean, kohl rabi, onion, parsnip, potato, pumpkin, silver beet, sweet corn, squash and turnip

 

February

In bloom: bird of paradise, crepe myrtle, daylily, hibiscus and massaenda

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, celosia, cosmos, marigold, petunia, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Tropical: amaranthus
Subtropical/cool temperate: begonia, gomphrena, sunflower and torenia

Vegetables to plant

All zones: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, radish, sweet corn and zucchini
Tropical/Subtropical: choko, pumpkin, snake bean, squash, sweet potato, and tomato
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, Brussles sprout, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, French bean, kohl rabi, onion, parsnip, and turnip

 

AUTUMN

Cooler temperatures and lower humidity make gardening more pleasant. Just as well, as it is a busy season, ideal for establishing new plants and taming excess growth. Leaves and prunings make great compost.

Seasonal tasks

• Fertilise roses, fruit trees and lawns
• Plant sweet peas, strawberry runners, seedlings, bulbs, trees and shrubs
• Trim plants that have become too rampant over summer
• Raise the cutting height of your mower in preparation for winter
• Life, divide, propagate and replant herbaceous perennials

March

In bloom: leopard tree, oleander, ixora, pentas and tibouchina

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, marigolds and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Subtropical: candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, nemesia, pansy, phlox, statice, stock and viola
Cool temperate: as for subtropical areas plus delphinium, godetia, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lupin, nigella, poppy, primula, schizanthus, sweet pea and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: carrot, cauliflower, French beans, leeks, lettuce, silver beet, spring onions and radish
Tropical: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes and zucchini
Subtropical: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, potatoes, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato
Cool temperate: beetroot, broccoli, broad beans, Brussel sprout, celery, kohl rabi, parsnip and turnip

 

April

In bloom: camellia, abutilon, gordonia, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria) and barleria

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, marigolds and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, dianthus, portulaca, salvia and zinnia
Subtropical: calendula, candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, dianthus, English daisy, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet pea, sweet William and viola
Cool temperate: as for subtropical plus delphinium, godetia, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, schizanthus and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, radish and spring onion
Tropical: capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, French beans, garlic, kohl rabi, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, spring onion, squash, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomatoes and zucchini
Subtropical: Brussel sprout, capsicum, endive, French beans, garlic, kohl rabi, leeks, onions, potatoes, silver beet, spinach, sweet potato, tomato
Cool temperate: broad beans, kohl rabi, parsnip, silverbeet and turnip

 

May

In bloom: barklya, Queensland umbrella, native sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia), snow flake bush, tree daisy (Montanoea)

Flowers to plant

All zones: alyssum, marigolds and petunia
Tropical: amaranthus, begonia, celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, phlos, portulaca, salvia, sunflower, torenia and zinnia
Subtropical: calendula, candytuft, cineraria, clarkia, cornflower, dianthus, English daisy, hollyhock, kale, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, pansy, phlox, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet pea, sweet William and viola
Cool temperate: as for subtropical plus delphinium, godetia, linaria, lupin, nigella, polyanthus, schizanthus, sweet pea and wallflower

Vegetables to plant

All zones: broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish, silver beet, spring onion and turnip
Tropical: beetroot, French beans, garlic, leeks, potatoes, pumpkin, silver beet, squash, swede, sweet corn, sweet potato and tomato
Subtropical: beetroot, broad beans, Brussel sprout, capsicum, celery, chicory,endive, French beans, garlic, leeks, onions, parsnip, peas, potatoes, spinach, swede, sweet potato, and tomato
Cool temperate: broad beans, celery, lettuce, parsnip, peas and spinach

Canteen

The ACT Department of Education and Training, in partnership with the National Heart Foundation of Australia (ACT Division), have developed an initiative called The ACT Department of Education and Training School Canteen Accreditation (DETSCA). This initiative is a school canteen development program.  It offers a model that supports best practice and provides reassurance to the whole community that high quality food and health and safety standards are being met in ACT school canteens.

DETSCA is based on the Health Promoting Schools model.  Individual schools implement and initiate change and improvement as they are a self-assessing body. Schools voluntarily participate in DETSCA.  Being a part of this has great advantages and DETSCA awards and supports schools operating healthy choice canteens by using a rating system.  Incentives are also offered to schools that work towards improving policy, management, menu selection, classroom links, marketing and promotion activities, food safety and hygiene standards, occupational health and safety standards, and environmental awareness.

The canteen is an integral part of a school and reflects the values and ethos of the school in terms of health and well-being.  With the increased pace of our society many families rely on the canteen to provide children with their recess and lunch, and in some schools, breakfast too.  Canteens are therefore providing most of the students' daily intake of food.  To help educate students for healthy eating in the future, to keep their brains fueled in class and to give them a healthier life, canteens are meeting with the school board, parents and community to make the choices in their canteens healthier.

Canteens are also a site for waste.  Getting canteens involved in the Sustainable Schools Initiative will help reduce waste in this area.  Managers of canteens will be aware of the recycling processes in the school, including paper, plastics and organic materials.  A part of waste management is ‘Smart Purchasing’.  This involves investigating the packaging of products and contacting suppliers to find the best products that meet the recycling needs of the school.

For more information about DETSCA contact:   actsca@optusnet.com.au

Student's Spot

This spot is for students!

We would like to hear from students from any schools who have been involved in the AUSSI ACT or are getting involved!

If you or your class have any great ideas, photos, powerpoints or projects that you have done or are doing and you would like to share it with other students, please email vanessal.whelan@act.gov.au

Useful Websites

www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au 

www.ediblegardens.net