10 Years of Garden to Table at Cannons Creek School, Porirua

Cannons Creek School’s Garden to Table programme was established way back in 2014 making it the first school in Wellington to join Garden to Table. This was made possible at the time by the support from The Tindall Foundation, The Warehouse Group, Healthy Futures Trust and many incredible volunteers.  

Garden to Table Regional Coordinator Olivia Boyd addressing the visitors. 

 In June Cannons Creek School hosted an amazing event to celebrate the journey of their school’s Garden to Table programme over the last decade. The anniversary celebration started with a beautiful welcome of waiata and haka from all of the children at Cannons Creek School. There were then speeches and acknowledgements for the programme from the Tumuaki - Principal Katrina Day, and our Garden to Table representatives Ani Brunet, CEO and Olivia Boyd, Regional Coordinator.   

 There was lots of delicious shared kai from both the students and volunteers for everyone to enjoy. The school’s annual cooking competition – Cannons Creek Kids Can Cook - also happened to be taking place on the day. The tamariki were busy whipping up a vegetable and lentil curry to impress the judges who looked like they were having a tough time deciding on the winner!  

The judges being presented with some perfectly presented kai

Alison Kurukaanga has been the garden specialist at Cannons Creek School since they started the programme. Alison used to potter around the garden on her lunch breaks, tidying and planting things. This didn’t go unnoticed, and she was asked if she would like to take up the Garden Specialist role at the school. ‘I’ve always loved gardening and I’ve loved seeing kids get excited about it’. Alison has been a big part in growing the Garden to Table programme at Cannons Creek School and acknowledges the bigger picture with how gardening also helps the children learn about other subjects such as maths and science outside the classroom. 

Staff from Cannons Creek School

 We were lucky enough to talk to three visiting alumni students who had participated in Garden to Table at Cannons Creek and are now in high school Khoa, Maima and Sally. They shared about their memories and experiences with Garden to Table. ‘I liked the lessons, learning how to compost and use a hose. I do composting at home’ Maima explained. Sally also enjoyed learning about compost and the worms, bugs and different plants. Khoa said that she likes how people can learn new things, ‘I also enjoyed the food’. 

Garden to Table staff from Cannons Creek with Regional Coordinator, alumni students of the programme and  Enviroschools Coordinator

The three alumni students were asked what advice they would give to current students who are experiencing the programme and they all agreed that it was an unforgettable experience. Khoa recognised that ‘when you go to college you won’t get to experience it again’, Sally agreed and added that ‘they should enjoy the opportunity, it’s once in a lifetime.’ 

A huge congratulations to the team at Cannons Creek School on 10 incredible years of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing. The enthusiasm, dedication and passion from your team, including the Enviroschools support, really makes a difference to your tamariki. We can’t wait to see where you take Garden to Table over the next 10 years. Happy Anniversary!  

Text and photos thanks to Zoe Lloyd