Gardening offers children fun, fresh air, and hands-on learning—and at Our Lady and St. Joseph Primary School (Brooms Primary), it’s thriving.
For the past four years, Mrs. Hopper has led a popular after-school gardening club, open to Years 1 to 6 and starting each spring after Easter.
Even simple tasks like weeding raised beds spark excitement—especially when caterpillars make a surprise appearance! Many of the children return year after year, growing everything from carrots and cabbage to tomatoes and lettuce, which the school cook uses in meals.
This year, they’re fundraising for a greenhouse to improve tomato yields. They also plant sunflowers for class competitions and flowers to brighten the school grounds, while the apple trees provide fruit for lunchtime crumbles.
The club teaches more than gardening—it builds responsibility, perseverance, and a lasting love for nature. As Mrs. Hopper notes, the children never forget to water their plants. It’s a joy to see young gardeners so engaged and growing in every sense.
Story and photos by Chris Bruce – Consett in Focus
