10/08/2008 - Japanese Garden

CTS Project - Orange High School

Catching the garden makeover bug offers a brighter outlook for Orange High students

A class at Orange High has caught the garden makeover bug and next term will finalise their own 'front yard blitz'.

The exercise is about more than a garden makeover with the class learning skills that will give their future a makeover.

The Year 8 and 9 students are revamping the Japanese Garden, at the front of the school, as an exercise through their Living Skills class activities.

Just as the students are revitalising the garden, the activities of the class are also offering them a chance to revitalise themselves.

In addition to concentrating on boosting literacy and numeracy skills, the Living Skills class also focuses on a range of practical life-oriented attributes ranging from relationship and team building to budgeting and cooking.

Students emerge with a motivation makeover and an enthusiasm to succeed.

Teachers say the alternative program including the hands-on activities like the blitz to rejuvenate the Japanese Garden brings a positive change in the long term education future of students.

The Living skills class is already well-advanced on their work. They have already formulated details of necessary tasks, materials and tools required and expertise needed.

With the first glimpse of warmer weather they jumped into 'trout waders' to begin the tasks of emptying the pond, which is a feature of the garden. They have already created three 'no dig' gardens, as well as trying their hands at paving, stump removal and pruning.

Top of the agenda next term will be planting out the garden with varieties that will further the Japanese influence of the garden, along with the introduction of a Wisteria arch and Japanese-style bridge over the pond. The Living Skills class will take responsibility for the maintenance of the garden once they have completed their makeover blitz.