17 November 2022

A new outdoor learning space developed with the assistance of $20,000 in federal government funding, along with support from local council, business and community groups, was officially blessed and opened at Mother of God School, Ardeer, this week.

Principal Assunta Iacovino said the new space was a most welcome addition to the school facilities.

‘The discovery garden provides a beautiful, additional space for the children to learn, play, be together, and to be calm and feel that sense of tranquillity that only nature can provide’, she said.

‘The garden supports the Discovery Play program which is a feature of our Prep – Year 2 curriculum, encouraging students to learn through curiosity, and explore and discover through play.’

Mrs Iacovino said the discovery garden complemented the school’s community garden space for learning about growing food, making healthy choices, and learning about the environment and sustainability with the school’s specialist garden educator.

‘On behalf of the school community, we are extremely grateful to our federal member Daniel Mulino for the funding for these outdoor spaces, along with Brimbank Council and Mayor Jasmine Nguyen for providing logs and sand, and Bunnings for many of the plants.

‘Developing the gardens has been the result of these strong community partnerships, combined with the hard work of our staff, students and parents’, she said.

In officially blessing the new space, Parish Priest Fr Barry Hughes said: ‘We give thanks to everyone who has been involved in this project. We ask you Lord to continue to bless us all, and may this garden be a special place of learning, enjoyment and fun for many years to come.’

The community garden space has recently been awarded Best School Garden awards in regional, state and Kevin Heinze Victorian Schools Garden Program award categories.