Media Release: COLLINGWOOD COLLEGE STUDENTS GROWING HEALTHY

FROM THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

DATE: Wednesday, June 13, 2007

COLLINGWOOD COLLEGE STUDENTS GROWING HEALTHY

Education Minister John Lenders today inspected a vegetable garden designed and maintained by Collingwood College students as part of a program to encourage healthy eating habits among students.

Part of the ‘Go for your Life’ Kitchen Garden Project with celebrity chef and author Stephanie Alexander, students in years 3-6 have been growing vegetables in an on-site garden and preparing their own meals.

Mr Lenders visited the school with Ms Alexander to view the successful project.

“It is important that children be taught the benefits of healthy eating early in order to establish lifelong healthy eating and living habits,” he said.

“Schools play a vital role in and it is a credit to the entire school community to see how enthusiastically the Kitchen Garden Project has been embraced at Collingwood College.

“The Bracks Government has made education its number one priority and we want students to emerge from their school years both smart and healthy.

Richmond MP and Housing and Local Government Minister Richard Wynne said Collingwood College had led the way in this project and the results achieved here had

“Collingwood College was the first school to participate in the Kitchen Garden Project and its ongoing success is due to the commitment and enthusiasm of students and staff,” he said

“Collingwood College embraces the diversity of its community through engaging students with activities and programs that highlight the importance of working with others, the environment and also health and well being.

“The Kitchen Gardens Project has helped to create healthy happy students, which leads to healthy happy communities.”

As part of the Kitchen Gardens Project 24 schools had been funded to participate this year and a further 20 projects will be funded in 2009-2010.

The Kitchen Garden Project is part of the Bracks Government’s ‘Go for your life’ campaign, which promotes healthier lifestyles through greater physical activity and healthy eating among all Victorians.