Last term we were approached by an organisation called Orchards in Schools and asked if we would like 5 fruit trees for our garden. Well, how could we refuse!

Mary Tingey, the coordinator for the organisation, came along with 3 fruit trees on Tuesday 10th August and showed the children how to remove the turf. Luckily we had had a lot of rain on Monday so the ground was easy to dig!

We removed the turf and put it to one side. Then, taking turns, the children dug the holes for the bare rooted trees. This took a while as we found worms, grass grubs, bugs and even some old bricks. The children insisted on moving the worms so they didn’t get hurt!

Eventually the trees were planted and then the hard part started. We needed to hammer 1.5m tree stakes into the ground. Mr. Wilson brought his sledgehammer to school and with the help of Jamie and Luka, the stakes were knocked into the ground.

Ofelia, Zara and Sammi then learnt how to tie the trees to the stakes so that they had support.

Our little orchard has now grown. We have 2 x plums, an apple, 2 pears, a lemon, a lime and 2 x blackboy peaches.

Mary will be back to visit the orchard in Spring, Autumn and next Winter when she will teach the children how to prune the trees.

Thank you to the PTA who funded the tree stakes and the webbing for the trees.

Thank you also to all the tamariki that helped out. Hopefully, in years to come, you will be able to taste the fruits of your labour.

Lynda Selwood