Growing Together: Te Puke High School’s Inclusive Garden

In the heart of Te Puke High School, a new project is planting seeds of inclusion, community, and learning. As part of the wider Seed to Plate project, the school has unveiled a purpose-made garden for students in the Te Ringa Awhina special learning unit.

This new garden is a significant step forward, addressing the need for a space that is not only accessible but also fully integrated into the school’s ag-horticulture, technology, and food technology programs. Unlike the previous ground-level plot, these new raised garden beds feature a clever design with a recess for wheelchairs, allowing students to easily access and work directly in the planting area. This design makes a world of difference for students with high learning needs and those who use wheelchairs, enabling them to truly get their hands dirty.

The garden’s design is more than just practical; it’s symbolic. The three beds are laid out in a Māori trinity koru design, representing peace, new beginnings, and the cyclical journey of life. The first bed, now complete, is filled with colourful flowering plants. The next two will feature edible plants and a sensory garden rich with textures and scents, engaging all the senses.

The project reinforces the school’s inclusive values by placing the garden at the center of the ag-horticulture area, ensuring that Te Ringa Awhina students are an integral part of school life. This initiative was made possible by a grant from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s matching fund and provides valuable work experience for senior students, who helped build the beds.

With the first bed now planted by 15-year-old student Silvio Shallcrass, this new space is already becoming a vibrant hub of learning and growth, where every student can feel a sense of ownership and belonging.

Ready to see how the garden grows? Follow their social media for updates and stories from the students!