In 2023, our Years 3 and 4 Wonder and Awe group embarked on a project outlined in an Action item of our Reconciliation Action Plan, centred around the Bush Tucker Garden and its diverse native plants. Spearheaded by Mrs Jacqueline Pearson, Head of Teaching and Learning Junior School and RAP Committee Member, the project unfolded through meticulous planning, collaboration, and creativity.
Term 1
- Girls were briefed on their task and explored the bush tucker garden and thought about which plants they might like to study further.
- The group met with groundsman, Mr Darcy Ford, who was involved in selecting the plants for the garden. Darcy was able to tell the girls a bit more about the plants’ uses and significance. He provided us with photographs of all the plants in the garden and some introductory information.
- The girls then chose the plant they wanted to research and had the choice of conducting the research individually or in pairs. They were guided through a formal research process that involved brainstorming, locating key information, note taking and then organising the information into topics and themes.
Term 2
- The girls met with the Acting School Principal, Mrs Amanda Shuttlewood, the School Director of Operations, Mr Paul Salter and the School Facilities Manager to discuss the vision for the project and what the intended outcome was to be.
- Local Kombumerri women, Justine Dillon and Aunty Kath, came to visit the girls and discuss the significance of the plants to the indigenous people as well as their many uses, currently and historically. Justine Dillon assisted the grounds crew in selecting the plants for the garden and was a great source of additional information for girls’ research. She also answered questions that the girls had collated throughout their research process.
Term 3
- The girls were invited to the National Education Summit held in Brisbane to present on the bush tucker garden project and the use of QR codes in the space. The girls presented to an audience of teachers, students and professionals working in the education industry.
- Research continued in weekly group time.
Term 4
- The girls drafted information reports from their research findings.
- Justine Dillon and Aunty Kath came back to visit and read through the girls’ reports. They helped the girls to add in some extra information such as indigenous names for the plants. The group spoke to Justine and Aunty Kath and thought that next year they could start a project that involved Kombumerri storytelling.
- The girls recorded their reports onto videos as they thought this would be a special touch to the School website to sit alongside their written pieces.
This comprehensive timeline captures the dedication of Years 3 and 4 students, led by Mrs Jacqueline Pearson, as they explored the Bush Tucker Garden, researched plant information, and created impactful videos to share their knowledge with the wider community.
