Mulbring Public School has established a bush tucker garden on the school grounds through a joint funding project.
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The funding came from grants from the NSW Teachers Federation and Cessnock City Council as well as the year six class of 2014.
The garden features a mosaic stepping stone path of a rainbow serpent as part of the students’ Aboriginal studies and to acknowledge and pay respect to the Aboriginal culture and Awabakal heritage in the area.
Each of 2014’s year six students and teacher got to design their own stepping stone, and were assisted by two parents, Mrs. Webster and Mrs. Rye who do mosaics as a hobby.
The garden also incorporates three totem poles, which represent the three classes at the school last year.
Each child traced their own palm, which the year six students transferred onto the poles and decorated.
The project incorporated the wider community as well with the Bush Furniture Man designing and creating a bench to be put in the garden, and another parent, Mr. Clifton, using his bobcat to clear the land for the garden.
Principal Donna Lennard said it is important for the school to strengthen these existing partnerships with people and businesses in the community.
“It brings back that real community spirit, the kids get a sense of pride and it gives them local understanding,” she said.
Ms. Lennard said the children also thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the project.
“They absolutely loved it; they were totally engaged with it.
“There was a real sense of inclusion for everyone in the school.”
