Students at Cooma North Public School aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

They are embracing a hands-on, outdoor sustainability initiative, through the school’s High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) program, that’s connecting them to nature and their community.

The HPGE program recently came alive with a memorable day of workshops complemented by planting and composting and led by ABC TV’s Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis.

A key initiative was the construction of a wildlife corridor, connecting the preschool and the primary school. Native shrubs were planted into the soil by students and as the plantings bloom, they will hopefully create a boost in local bees, butterflies and birds while bridging the two buildings together.

As students dug and watered, they learned about the vital role pollinators play in a biodiverse landscape and how even a modest garden strip can have a far-reaching impact.

Cooma North Public School principal Jo Tozer said these opportunities could sprout lifelong curiosity and care for the planet.

“It was a fantastic chance for our students to become hands on in the garden, while guided by a well-known Australian landscape architect,” she said.

“Some students may not have access to a garden at home so having opportunities like this outside of the classroom gives students the chance to develop new skills and encourage passions they may not have known they had.”

Students also explored garden planting, discussed soil preparation, planting schedules and the varieties of garlic right before pressing garlic cloves into the school’s raised beds. Green shoots are already pushing through, and children will return later in the season to harvest, learn storage tips, and discover cooking ideas.

A compost building-workshop, with local businesses contributing coffee grounds, mulch, newspapers, and even old truck mud guards, was also a success, with the hopes of the compost being ready for sale at the annual twilight fair in November.

Cooma North’s HPGE initiative not only builds practical skills but also fosters environmental stewardship from an early age.