WMS Garden Show Entry
Please enjoy reading
our storyboard which is part of our garden display in the Canterbury
Horticultural Society Schools Garden competition, 7th - 8th
March. This is the first year of this competition in which the Moa Team
maintained the plants and the Pukeko Team designed the concepts for our garden.
The photographs at the end are the images of our completed garden.
Over 150 years the settlement of West Melton has emerged from stony
river plains and early farming to an evolving rural Canterbury town complete with
the expansion of new housing subdivisions for the changing community.
The students responsible for the design of the garden from the
Pukeko Team, aged between 6 and 8 years, wanted to demonstrate their pride in
the history, community and progress of the township. Several elements of the
school environment, district and surrounding area were selected to represent
their ideas.
The placement of the river stones and native plants towards the
back of the garden represents the Waimakariri River and the native plantings of
the West Melton Reserve.
Within this design aspect the students are imitating
the river which is used for activities such as boating but also environmentally
to support native birds and plant life. The use of native plants is to also
highlight the plantings at the school and the specific forest/outdoor education
area at West Melton.
The cable drum is utilised in the playground by the students and
demonstrates the continual life of construction materials.
Various farming and horticultural practices are symbolised with
our farming gate, fencing material and mini crop model. Many of the school
families have established links to the district through farming and lifestyle
blocks. The crops represent the fields and paddocks in West Melton and 150
years of farming history. To some of the younger students “grass makes us” and
is part of the proud history of the region.
The recycling of the sheep feed bag and gumboots shows the
students desire to reuse and recycle existing materials that can be found from various
industries that are located in the Selwyn area.
The exhibit then moves to the front section which displays some
of the different plants that may be located in the gardens of the Prestons
Downs and Gainsborough subdivisions. The establishment of the new gardens
reflect the emergence of the new housing in the township.
The inclusion of the bird feeder and swam plants represent the
student connection to the local eco systems of insects and birds along with the
schools desire to further establish and develop their environmental work. As
part of the learning communities units of work, the students reflect upon their
impact on the surroundings, extending their understanding of sustainability and
biodiversity.
Some of the plants displayed have been nurtured and cared for by
the Moa Team – senior students of the school. These students are part of the
school’s student environmental group called the ‘Eco Warriors’.
Our garden show entry – fantastic team effort everyone!
Brooke our senior Enviro leader and our Pukeko design: Amy, Amelia, Caleb, Logan and Harrison.
