As the warmer weather arrived, so began egg production from our two Onslow chickens, Violet and Aurora. With fresh eggs landing daily, our long-awaited Garden to Table project could finally get underway.
The Garden to Table concept is all about empowering students through hands-on learning, connecting sustainable gardening practices with real-world culinary skills.
Violet and Aurora were relocated in Term 2 to the Onslow College Learning Garden from Staglands Wildlife Reserve near Upper Hutt. Sarah Purdy, co-owner of the reserve and an Onslow College alumna, generously gifted the two rare-breed Dorking hens to kick-start the initiative.
A keen and conscientious group of mostly Year 9 students tends to the laying duo daily, and their dedicated care is rewarded with a couple of fresh eggs every morning.
These fresh eggs immediately find their way onto the menu at the weekly student-run staff café held every Thursday morning.
A twelve-egg quiche has quickly become the recent café favourite. Lovingly prepared and baked by Jayd Tuarea-Gibson and Maddie Du Flou, the finished quiche is served fresh to order alongside barista-quality coffees crafted by our talented student trainees.
Overall, it is a fantastic team effort that gives students the opportunity to develop practical life skills while learning about wholesome, well-sourced food.
Our next step is filling the raised garden beds with delicious seasonal vegetables to feature in upcoming Thursday morning café menus for staff to enjoy!