Our Sustainable Gardens

This project is one of the activities carried out under the umbrella of our Innovations & Excellence Cluster. The themes of that cluster are enviromental education and sustainability. For the curriculum background to this project, download "Design Your Water Wise Garden: An Integrated Unit for the Middle Years" [pdf 1.1MB]

Local newspaper reports about our gardens [2008] • Hobson's Bay Leader • Williamstown Advertiser

Resource Smart Awards 2008 Click here for report.

Nestle Project - Creating a garden trail for the Grade 2 unit of work "I spy in my garden".

The Philosophy of the School Gardens

At Williamstown Primary we have five water wise gardens, which have been designed, landscaped and planted by the grade 5/6 students over the past 4 years.
The Italian Garden is between the Italian room and the Electra Street fence.
The Indigenous Grassland Garden starts when you follow the stepping stone path from the Italian Garden, and continues along to the next gate.
The Reflective Shade Garden is between the Hall and the Library.
The Bird Sanctuary comprises the two garden beds on the Music Room side of the new buildings.
The Indigenous Food Plant and Vegetable Garden is between the Administration and Bluestone Buildings

As a member of the Williamstown Environmental Neighbourhood Cluster, the school received funding to implement the design and planting of gardens as part of the grade 5/6 integrated units. The gardens are part of the environmental education of all the students. In particular the gardens are designed to be waterwise. In designing a garden to have a positive impact on the environment there are lots of things to consider.

Here on the Western Plains the predominant vegetation before white settlement was grassland, of which only a tiny remnant (less than 1%) remains. Therefore all the plants, and the animals they supported; the whole ecosystem in fact is in danger of vanishing completely unless we can recreate patches of this vegetation. Three of our four gardens use predominantly indigenous (local) plants. Our bird sanctuary uses bird and butterfly-attracting plants.

With the drought and climate change, we need to grow gardens to enjoy, but which don’t require large amounts of water. We selected plants that will survive with minimal watering. Even the herbs in the Italian Garden are a drought-tolerant selection. Plants provide our oxygen, food and climate. It is desirable, particularly in densely populated urban areas, to plant gardens for recreation and enjoyment, and it has been particularly satisfying to see how keen our students are to get out into the gardens and work. Many of last year’s grade 6’s have visited the school and commented on how good the gardens look. They are proud of having achieved such attractive gardens.

All four of our gardens are on a scale where they are applicable to a suburban garden. The design, landscaping and planting of the gardens provides an example of what can be achieved by every homeowner, even on a limited budget!