Our Philosophy
The Garden Ambassadors Training Program aims to develop student leaders through the establishment and maintenance of the Living Classroom. These students will be the ‘change agents’ in developing a positive school culture that takes responsibility for themselves, each other and the physical environment.
The Garden Ambassadors learn Permaculture strategies and apply the Permaculture practices to maintain and develop the Living Classroom. These practices include: seasonal planning, soil building, efficient water use, planting, plant propagation, composting, pruning, weeding, mulching, harvesting and storage of produce, seed saving and constructing garden structures.
The Living Classroom is the context for developing independent and responsible student learning. Whilst changing with the seasons, the Living Classroom is the setting for a deeper social and cultural change created and maintained by the Garden Ambassadors through a journey from Kindergarten to Year 6.
The Garden Ambassadors learn Permaculture strategies and apply the Permaculture practices to maintain and develop the Living Classroom. These practices include: seasonal planning, soil building, efficient water use, planting, plant propagation, composting, pruning, weeding, mulching, harvesting and storage of produce, seed saving and constructing garden structures.
The Living Classroom is the context for developing independent and responsible student learning. Whilst changing with the seasons, the Living Classroom is the setting for a deeper social and cultural change created and maintained by the Garden Ambassadors through a journey from Kindergarten to Year 6.
Implementing the Garden Ambassador Program
There are several models of implementation of the program and the beauty of this program is that there is no one best way. Rather it can be adapted to suit the school, level of knowledge of both student, staff and community as well as the physical environment and resource accessibility of the educational domain.
The Living Classroom Program functions most successfully with Stage 2 students (Year 4 if possible) being formed into a group called the Garden Ambassadors. |
The students, through considered observation and interaction with the Living Classroom, decide the specific Permaculture practices during each visit. There are major seasonal garden jobs specific to each visit and these are demonstrated to the whole class. There are other season maintenance practices where the students work in small groups (3) or individually.
The students choose the specific Permaculture practices for the day, other students to work with, tools & equipment, then commence work until the task is completed. |
The Garden Ambassadors are encouraged to teach other students the low risk Permaculture practices during the break times on the day. This “kids teaching kids” pedagogy is formalised after one term of training, when the Ambassadors work with an infants class for a 1 hour session in an ongoing basis.
Furthermore, students departing from the Garden Ambassadors Program in Stage 2 can choose to return as leaders for the new Ambassadors and assist the teacher in the management of the Permaculture practices. |