This week, classes 1 and 2 began their gardening blocks to finish Term 1. Our gardening program begins in kindergarten where the children learn to care for, observe and connect with the environment through both play and meaningful work. Building a sense of the unseen forces of nature that work with seasonal and environmental changes leads to strongly developed observational skills in upper primary school that later support scientific thinking.

Today in Class 1 the children began with a eurythmy sequence about the trees and were then introduced to two biodynamic medicines to support healthy growth. They dynamised the water which contained these substances and observed the geometric forms that appeared as they stirred the potion. The children then ground up rock dust to mineralise the soil and sprinkled the stir over the garden beds. A kookaburra came to herald their work to finish the lesson.

In Class 2, the students watched as parent Michael Fayle demonstrated the process for pruning the lemon tree. Some Class 2 students stayed with Michael to prune while the other students proceeded to the far corners of the Castlecrag campus. They observed the status of garden beds they created in past years, touching and tasting flora and fauna as was appropriate. They engaged heartily in the activating of soil fertilisers in rain water, the application of tree paste on beloved trees and tended the worm farm. A group of students planted seeds all over the campus which will bring surprises as they germinate in-situ. The gardening lessons concluded with tasting of biodynamic herbal garden tea and freshly baked sourdough bread. Thank you to parents in both classes who assisted the students in having a well-supported gardening time.