2026 Volunteer Sign Up:

Click HERE for SAKG recipes.

Click HERE for the volunteer signup page and follow the simple steps to register as a volunteer for a kitchen or garden session. 

Program Goals

The goal of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden (SAKG) is to introduce the children in Year 3 and 4 to the pleasures of preparing, cooking and eating a variety of foods they have grown and harvested themselves.

We achieve this goal by providing a garden for the children to be involved in the growing of food, a well-equipped kitchen and an eating area for the children and staff to share a meal.

Volunteering
This amazing program requires volunteers for every session, to allow children to be safe and active in the lesson. No special garden or kitchen knowledge is necessary. Grandparents, neighbours, family friends, parents from other year levels and local community members are all very welcome!

Volunteers are asked to supervise a group of 4-5 children as they complete a task assigned to them and explained by the program leaders.

A current working with children card is required and all new volunteers must complete a brief induction through the school office, including child safe information.

Kitchen class FAQ

Why do you change traditional recipes to exclude meat or allergens, even when these changes may be unnecessary for my grade?

An important part of the Program is to teach you to be inclusive.  Learning to adapt recipes is an important skill.  When you make the recipes at home you can add in (or omit) whatever you like.  We give you the skills to do that.

Could we make the cooking and eating time quicker so that the clean-up at the end is not so rushed?

The lessons are designed to be able to fit into the allotted timeframe.  Some classes are super efficient with their time management, others are still learning. Teamwork is everything.    At every part of the class, from before you arrive, ask yourselves “how can I be the best team player?“.  

If every student works co-operatively with their team there will be: 

• Plenty of time
• Excellent results
• Maximum enjoyment

Sometimes after the meal I am still hungry.  Why can’t we make bigger quantity of food?

The more we make, the longer it takes to cook, eat and clean up.  The Program is designed to provide a taste, and give you access to the recipes so that you can make them - and modify them, at home.  Teach your family.

Why do we have to have all this world food all the time.  Why can’t we just stick with the food from my parents’ country of origin?

A great question for discussion with your class and your family.

Why do we have to make healthy food all the time?  Even the deserts are healthy.  Why can’t we learn how to make junk food?

Another great question for discussion with your class and your family.

Why can’t we have the Kitchen Garden Program from Prep to Grade 6?

We have limited kitchen space; extending the Program beyond Grades 3 and 4 would mean classes could only have Kitchen once or twice per month.  That would make it harder to master important safety rules.

If you have any queries, contact our program leaders.

Thank you for your support.

Kitchen Specialist: Penny Hayes

penelope.hayes@education.vic.gov.au

Garden Specialist: Helen Kinross

helen.kinross@education.vic.gov.au