On the 16th of September 2025, in celebration of Spring in Lavender Hill, a new chapter began at Hillwood Primary School. Learners, teachers, community members, and partners came together with the Earthchild Project team and Urban Harvest to lay the foundation for our new garden, which will also serve as a living classroom.
What makes this day special is not only the seedlings being planted, but the vision behind them: a safe, green space where children can learn, breathe, and grow. As Principal Alkana said, “In an area (Lavender Hill) where street trees are rare, this garden is an oasis.”
The preparation took weeks of hard work, involving community members and the Urban Harvest team building beds, clearing pathways, and shaping the garden. During the planting day, Ben Getz, director of Urban Harvest, led a practical planting demonstration, showing our Earthchildren how to gently and carefully plant their seedlings. They were encouraged to really look at the seedlings, imagine their growth, and understand that just as the plants will need care and protection to grow, so too do their own dreams.
Rows of spinach, beetroot, and other vegetables were planted, which will later be used to supplement produce used in the school’s kitchen that feeds the learners. Children showed off their planting efforts with pride, and together, the whole team celebrated the beautiful start of the new sustainable food garden. By the end of the day, the once-empty space had transformed into a vibrant garden ready to grow into a source of food and an outdoor living classroom.
The garden is the sixth Earthchild Project Garden and our sixth collaboration between Earthchild Project and Urban Harvest, reflecting the power of partnership. Thanks were given to Urban Harvest, Principal Alkana, school staff, and community members whose support made the project possible.
Most importantly, the garden belongs to the learners. It is theirs to grow, explore, and learn from. With ongoing care, this space will feed the school and nurture a deeper connection to nature and to one another for years to come.
