Ruakākā School: A decade of growth, thanks to an incredible start with T&G
At Garden to Table, we’re on a mission to empower tamariki to grow, harvest, prepare, and share fresh kai.
For the past 10 years, T&G – who are renowned for their delicious apples and fresh produce, have been enabling us to fulfill this mission.
Now, as we celebrate a decade of partnership together, we’re excited to share a series of stories that showcase the difference we’ve been able to make together for tamariki, their whānau, and hapori (communities) across Aotearoa.
Ruakākā School is a shining example of all that Garden to Table stands for. For the past 8 years, they have run a thriving programme for Year 5 and 6 students. They are now a Model School, which means they showcase thriving, embedded, and sustainable Garden to Table programmes, and provide a pathway of inspiration for new schools.
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Ruakākā School is a shining example of all that Garden to Table stands for. For the past 8 years, they have run a thriving programme for Year 5 and 6 students. They are now a Model School, which means they showcase thriving, embedded, and sustainable Garden to Table programmes, and provide a pathway of inspiration for new schools.
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Te Tai Tokerau - Northland
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2015
Amber from Ruakākā School is a Garden to Table Programme Champion, and it is not hard to see why.
At Ruakākā, the Garden to Table programme is delivered to students in years 5-6 and combines gardening, cooking, and cross-curricular learning. The school is a green-gold enviroschool with worm farms and composting. Garden to Table is central to their green initiative. The gardens sit in the heart of the school, allowing kids to see daily growth and change.
One of the unique aspects of the programme at Ruakākā School is that it's only offered to seniors, which creates a sense of anticipation among the younger students. They know that they'll get to participate in something special when they reach senior years. And with three recipes cooked in a session and four sessions held weekly, there's plenty of opportunity for learning and fun.
“My brother did this and he thoroughly enjoyed it - planting the veges, and a few weeks later, cooking the veges. I am most looking forward to cooking and tasting the food I cook”
One of the most fantastic things about Garden to Table at Ruakākā is the recipe book students create throughout the year. They glue each recipe into a book, and at the end of the year, they take the book home.
Previous students still use the books and recipes years later, making it a valuable and lasting resource.
But, it's not just about cooking and gardening skills. The programme is designed to be cross-curricular - incorporating reading, math, and even geography. Students get to travel the world through cooking and learning about different countries and cultures along the way. They've all just returned from Tonga (in their Garden to Table world), and it was amazing!
The benefits of the programme go beyond just the classroom. Students can take the skills they learn home, starting gardens and cooking with their families.
“Mum has a vege garden and I help her. She likes it that I know some things about gardening”
“I cooked at home for my Mum’s birthday. She loved it”
And, for students who struggle with sitting still and concentrating in a structured classroom, it provides a welcome change of pace.
Amber recalls some memorable moments of the school and students, including a Masterchef competition organised a few years ago. The students had to devise a recipe, figure out the required ingredients, and submit a recipe with those ingredients. They had a budget and had to develop an exciting name for the dish. The garden specialist, principal, and admin officer were the judges, and they judged the dishes based on presentation, taste, and creativity.
The school’s recent Seedling Sale has also been a highlight.
“[One moment in Garden to Table that has made me really happy] is the Seedling Sale. I loved that everyone was buying stuff and we made lots of money to put back into our programme. We could show off a bit cause everyone was saying ‘did you grow this’, and we would say ‘yes we did’”
One of the most rewarding aspects of the programme is seeing hesitant students become more confident in the kitchen. From knife skills to grating, students can develop new skills and gain confidence over time. For many students, it’s learning these basic skills that mean the most.
“[In Garden to Table I learnt] how to pick lettuce. To cut stalks off tomatoes so they don’t grow sideways. I feel good”
“[I learnt] how to cut vegetables properly and the difference between spinach and silverbeet. I feel happy”
The sense of community that the programme fosters is impressive, with parents and grandparents providing support and donations to keep the programme running smoothly.
Looking ahead, Amber sees a bright future for Garden to Table. With its focus on real-life learning, it's a programme that provides valuable skills and experiences that students will carry with them for years to come. Whether surprising their parents with a homemade dinner or starting a garden at home, the programme's impact is far-reaching and long-lasting.
Thank you so much to T&G for making this impact possible.
As a partner to Garden to Table, T&G demonstrates what a difference a values-aligned and committed relationship can achieve. Their support has ultimately enabled us to grow from delivering our food education programme in just 21 schools in 2013 (when our partnership began), to 300 schools across Aotearoa today.