The pupils, mostly in grade five and six, have embraced their Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden.

The garden, at the senior campus in Strong Street, was officially opened yesterday and school principal Adam Box said it had brought the community into the school.

“It’s about healthy eating but, most importantly for me, for the first time it’s encouraging parents and community members to come in and be part of the school and the classroom,” he said.

“Parents are coming in and working with kids in the classroom.

“Last week we had 20 dads come in and cook with their kids.” Mr Box said the pupils took a lot of pride in their garden and the produce from it.

“They love it,” he said. “Put it this way, I haven’t had a complaint.

“This time of year in particular it looks fantastic.

“Today the kids had a stall and everything sold was from the garden.”

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation project officer Josie Charles congratulated the school for its hard work.

“The benefits are the whole deal: it’s growing, preparing and harvesting,” she said.

“The students are learning to care for the soil, knowing when to pick tomatoes.

“Then when you do cook with your produce there is a sense of pride and a sense of achievement.”