Periwinkle

Food gardens with integrated composting for a Steiner Preschool

Periwinkle PreSchool in Byron Bay is based on a Steiner program, which values the importance of self-initiated play, artistic work and household activities to meet the needs of what is an active and imitative stage of childhood.

In 2017 Simon McLean, Director at Periwinkle PreSchool, came to one of Andrew’s Saturday morning compost talks at Santos Organics in Byron Bay. Over the next 6 months following, Andrew and Periwinkle staff organised a working bee with the parents of the preschool to rebuild 3 raised garden beds, which would grow herbs, veggies and lettuces and could be used for lunches.

In February 2019, along with Subpod, we donated and installed a prototype Subpod, and the team gave a mini workshop with the children teaching them how to feed the Subpod.

The children now use the Subpod as part of their education in turning food waste into soil and food, and the kids are really enjoying the new, easy and efficient way of composting.  

The Project

LOCATION - Byron Bay, NSW
DATE - 2018
CLIENT - Periwinkle
DESIGN - Andrew HDV
PROJECT MANAGER - Andrew HDV
CONSTRUCTION - Andrew HDV, school parents
TIMEFRAME - 1 week

“Having the Subpod in the garden has been fantastic because it has really complimented our food focus curriculum we are providing meals here for the children every day so we are generating a bit of food waste and this way we can utilise the food waste whist educating the children about the value and importance of sustainability and composting. And they’re learning about this through a real practical hands on way – they’re learning about it by actually doing it! It has been a real compliment to our already existing curriculum.”

Simon McLean - Director, Periwinkle Preschool

Impact

Environmental

  • Diverts the food waste from landfill for students and staff members

  • Building soil fertility and health, and boosting plant growth

Economic

  • Eliminate the cost of fertilisers and compost for growing plants

  • Growing healthy salad and herb ingredients for the children and staff to enjoy on their lunch breaks

  • A significant focus for media exposure (national and international), word of mouth, promotion of eco-schools

Social

  • Parents assisted with building the structures therefore gained knowledge and encouragement for effective composting and gardening

  • United the parents to work on a common project

Educational

  • Hands-on garden space for the children to learn about gardening, growing food and effective composting

  • Supports the existing gardening efforts and learning