The garden at Springhurst primary school, in north-east regional Victoria, never stood a chance against the record-breaking heatwave at the beginning of this year. Returning to school after the summer holidays, teacher Aasta Dearnaley recalls the garden had “turned to ash”. But eight months on, students have created a more heat-resilient garden which has been recognised as one of the country’s most innovative by the National Kitchen Garden awards.
Developed by the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, the awards celebrate kitchen gardens in schools and early childhood centres across the country, with this year’s awards attracting a record 600 entries over nine categories.
The garden at Springhurst primary school – population seven – won the “showcasing Stem” award for demonstrating the use of science, technology, engineering and maths in problem solving. Students repurposed old materials into growing structures, such as using fallen branches to create frames for broad bean plants. Students also learned about water efficiency through a capillary action experiment, and helped install a water-wicking system for their herbs.
“Stem comes naturally within the garden,” says Dearnaley. She adds that the problems that arise in the garden – such as crops failing to germinate or a plant toppling over – encourage student curiosity and experimentation.
“I’m proud because this award isn’t just recognising, like, a beautiful garden … it’s recognising the thinking and learning that happens with our students,” says Dearnaley.
The garden at Wongan Hills district high school in the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, has won the “beyond the gate” award for community engagement. The school, which has 199 students, has experienced a decline in parent participation over the years. But the garden has “channelled parents into wanting to keep being involved with their children,” says Lorraine Lobo, teacher and school garden coordinator. Parents are regularly out in the garden teaching students how to cook with produce or helping with small infrastructure projects. “It’s kind of a great equaliser,” Lobo says.
Additionally, time in the garden is used as a reward for good student behaviour. “There’s something that’s … freeing about being in a garden,” says Lobo. And students have made, packaged and sold products such as lavender balms, calendula salves and quandong jams at their local markets.
Aldavilla public school on the New South Wales mid north coast received the “recipe of the imagination” award for inventive cooking. The school kitchen, a converted railway carriage, is surrounded by a rainbow of garden produce ranging from zucchinis and pumpkins to bananas and feijoas.
But the star crop is the warrigal greens. The native vegetable was at first only planted to replace snail-ravaged spinach, but is now used in pastas, pizzas and a special dip in the school kitchen.
Craig Stelmack, the school’s kitchen garden specialist, says he loves watching the kids talk each other into trying new food – he “doesn’t have to do any sales pitches.” When the students are in the garden, “[they’re] excited to have a task and to accomplish it. … They’re excited to see something grow,” Stelmack says.
The awards were established in 2024, and this year’s judging panel was comprised of chefs Stephanie Alexander, Kylie Kwong and Darren Robertson, and gardening expert Connie Cao. The winning schools will each receive a prize package that includes a $1,000 grant, membership to the Kitchen Garden education program and gardening tools and equipment.
Stelmack plans to use the prize to establish another garden bed, an outdoor classroom and a native beehive, while Dearnaley is bracing for more extreme summers and will be investing the grant money in more wicking systems. For Lobo, she’s looking to continue building community participation – and hopes families who live close by can help water the garden over the holidays.
National Kitchen Garden award winners 2026
Beyond the Gate, award for community engagement – Wongan Hills District high school, WA
First Nations Foods, award for incorporating First Nations knowledge systems into garden learning – St Mary’s College P-12, WA
Kitchen Garden Trailblazer, award for outstanding volunteer, educator or staff member – The Village School Gold Coast, Queensland
Recipe of the Imagination, award for inventive cooking – Aldavilla public school, NSW
Showcasing Stem, award for real-world application of science, technology, engineering and maths – Springhurst primary school, Victoria
Sustainable Solutions, award for sustainable garden and kitchen practices – Bungwahl public school, NSW
The Art of Kitchen Gardening, award for creativity around the garden – Manning Gardens public school, NSW
The Next Crop, award for young leaders in the kitchen or garden – Alawa primary school, NT
Wellbeing Champions, award for improved student wellbeing – Devonshire Street children’s centre, NSW
