Recipe: Spinach Parcels (Year 4 & 5)

250g fresh spinach, finely chopped

1 cup cottage cheese

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

2 green onions or chives, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried onion flakes

1 tsp garlic powder

2 sheets shortcrust pastry

Steam the spinach until wilted. Add all ingredients together and mix well. Cut the shortcrust pastry sheet into four squares. Add a tablespoon of spinach mix into one corner and fold the others side over. Make a triangle and press the sides firmly down. Add the parcels into an electric pizza oven or conventional oven for 6-10 minutes until pastry is cooked through and brown. 

Enjoy!

 

 Even though it had spinach in it - the pastries were enjoyed by all!

Recipe: Spinach Dip (with Year 3)

Spinach Dip

250g fresh spinach, finely chopped

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 green onions (shallots), thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried onion flakes

1 tsp onion powder

Steam the spinach until wilted. Add all ingredients together and mix well.

Newsletter Term 4 Week 4

Chooks
It is with great excitement that we announce the arrival of three baby chicks! We put eggs into an incubator during the holidays and had our first attempt at raising chicks. The three babies are growing fast under the heat lamp in 4A. While they have names for identification we will save naming them until we know if they are boys or girls. There have been many predictions but we are waiting for certainty! They are being handled and happily have visitors so feel free to drop in : )

Local Heroes
It was wonderful to see the hard work of parents and students recognised in the Hornsby Council’s Local Heroes article. If you didn’t get to read it please visit the Hornsby Shire Council Facebook Page.

Fence
Work has been continuing on the painting of the new garden fence. Students have been busy drawing their designs. I tis estimated we will need about 70 posts and so far 30 have been painted. They are looking amazing and it will be great to see it all finished!


Meeting
Eco Garden Meetings are held each month on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Miss Scanlon’s classroom, during term times. The next meeting will be held on the 18th November in 5X Classroom. Feel free to come along and hear what it is all about!

Being involved
The Eco Garden is a large part of the school at Hornsby Heights PS and involves many facets and people. There is gardening, animal minding, cooking, cake stalls and BBQs, building of infrastructure and lesson support. If you feel this is something you may be interested in or would like to find out more please come along to a meeting or email Rhonda French frenchjr@bigpond.net.au Many hands make light work.

Spring Photos

our multicoloured carrot harvest

broadbeans

Recipe: Herb pizzas with the Kindy classes

Ingredients

• small pita pockets
• herbs freshly picked from the garden (Rosemary, Oreganum, Basil, Thyme, Parsley) 
• freshly podded peas if desired
• pizza tomato sauce
• grated mozarella cheese

Directions

1.  wash herbs and pick the leaves off by hand
2. spread some pizza sauce onto the pita pocket
3. add your favourite herbs
4. sprinkle some mozarella cheese
5. bake in pizza oven or normal oven until cheese is melted
6. ENJOY!

Newsletter Term 3 Week 10

WORKING BEE
Many of you may have noticed that over the weekend a retaining wall and stairs were installed down the sides of the lamb pen. This has long been an area of concern with the slope of the hill and access to the animals. It was a most amazing event on Saturday and Sunday, with the involvement and support of many parents, teachers and school families. Construction began at 7am on Saturday morning. The borrowing of equipment from Paul Wheway at Kennards, the driving expertise of Floyd McCardle and his worker, James saw the excavation of the flat area and the building up of the hill. The planning and construction of Stuart Cameron and Justin Stack was instrumental in the building of the stairs and retaining wall. By tools down on Saturday excavation work was done and the bottom few stairs were constructed. Sunday was an open Eco Garden Working Bee with many families, children included, coming to assist in a tidy up and carrying out of maintenance around the garden area. Many were involved in aerating the oval. Construction of the stairs continued with the added efforts of many others carrying and mixing concrete, shovelling blue metal and cutting sleepers. A lovely morning tea provided by the ladies, Colleen Dancer, Rhonda French and Petra Holland, and then lunch for those who were still working hard. On Sunday night at 5:30pm the stairs and retaining wall were officially called done! A massive thankyou is not enough for the amazing efforts, support and help for all who were involved – so many to mention! (Mind you – the kids still walked down the dirt hill!!)

Lambs
The lambs are going to take a holiday along with the children and are going for a visit to the Cameron Family home. We are sure they will be well looked after and will enjoy the new play area.
After the holidays if you are keen to spend some time with them there will be a new roster created for lamb walking and feeding. If you would like more information or to sign up please email Ms Scanlan.


Meeting
Eco Garden Meetings are normally held each month on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Miss Scanlon’s classroom, during term times. Due to other events being scheduled that night the next meeting will be on the 21st October in 5X classroom. Feel free to come along and hear what it is all about!

Being involved
The Eco Garden is a large part of the school at Hornsby Heights PS and involves many facets and people. There is gardening, animal minding, cooking, cake stalls and BBQs, building of infrastructure and lesson support. If you feel this is something you may be interested in or would like to find out more please come along to a meeting or contact Rhonda French. Many hands make light work.

Newsletter Term 3 Week 8

Working Bee
We will be having an Eco Garden working bee to tidy up and refresh the garden area on Sunday 13th September form 9-12. Morning tea will be provided. If you have a few hours to spare please come along.

Fence Designs and Painting
Students have been busy during Interest Groups finishing their designs for our new Eco Garden fence. A big thanks to Greg Robinson and Haymes paints and Ann Coonan for donating some exterior quality paint to complete this project. The undercoats are done and Rhonda French is skillfully transferring the designs onto the palings. Stay posted for a working bee to help paint!

Lambs
The girls are getting very big and settling into their new environment. They started walks on the weekend and are being weaned off the bottle over the next two weeks. After that we will be looking for interested families to come to school and feed them in the morning and lock them up in the afternoon. You do get to walk them and have lovely pats for your visit. If this interests you please email Ms Scanlan.

Chooks
We have purchased an incubator with the intention of raising some chooks from fertilised eggs. If you have a contact that may be able to get some Wyandotte fertilised eggs please contact Ms Scanlan.

Newsletter Term 3 Week 6

Bunnings
What an exceptional day on Saturday for Bunnings BBQ. Many sausages sandwiches were sold. A massive thank you to all of the volunteers who were able to come along and the kids who sold raffle tickets with such excitement. Our total profit was $1059.25!!!

Lambs
Coco and Chanel seem to be settling happily into their new home. They love being fed their bottle by the students and are getting used to all of the extra attention. It is hoped to get them out of their pen in the next few weeks and have them spend time in their portable pen.

Working Bee
There will be an Eco Garden working bee on Sunday the 13th September. If you have a few spare hours please drop by the school and help out. Morning tea will be provided.

Telstra
Do you or anyone in your immediate family work for Telstra? We would be keen to hear from you. Please email Ms Scanlan.

Cooking
Cooking in the garden has started with lots of growing happening. If you are interested in helping out when classes are cooking please contact Rhonda.

Newsletter Term 3 Week 4

Yes there are now 2!
Following the arrival of Lamb 1 we received another lamb. The lambs are borrowed from a farm where they will return at the end of the year. They are being fed a bottle of Lamb Milk replacer twice a day, pellets and chaff and Lucerne hay, as well as they graze on grass. Later this week and for subsequent weeks students will get to have a turn at bottle feeding. The babies are still adjusting to the large number of “people” in their paddock but are now more welcoming to visitors if you want to drop by one afternoon. A hand through the fence or a friendly voice is always welcome. We just ask that you don’t feed them anything as they are well looked after. In exciting news…….. they are no longer Lamb 1 and Lamb 2! We are very excited to welcome Coco and Chanel.

Handy on the Machinery?
We are looking to carry out a project that requires a 3.5t excavator and have kindly been offered the use of one. Now we just need a driver. Do you or someone you know have the skills to drive and the ability to lend a few hours on Saturday 12th September? All offers of assistance greatly appreciated.

Bunnings
Our next Bunnings BBQ will be held on the 15th August (Saturday). This event is a many hands make light work and all volunteers are appreciated. If you are able to spare an hour please follow the link http://doodle.com/fthiednahthmkzk3

Cooking
The garden produce has started to grow following a bad growing season and we have had our first cooking session of the year. Year 1 cooked sushi last Friday using pickled radishes from their garden. If you are ever interested in coming and helping classes cook please email Petra Holland and she will keep you updated. We will be cooking some other yummy food for the School Tour this Wednesday if you are available to assist between 9:30am and 11am.

Mini Working Bee
The monthly mini working bee to tidy up, weed, paint and polish will be held on the 14th August (2nd Friday of the month) from 2pm. Come a bit early for pickup!

Meeting:
Do you have any suggestions/ ideas for the school gardens, an interest in being involved or just hearing what is happening please feel free to join our monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is on the 19th August in 5X Classroom, at 7:00pm.

Recipe: Pickled radishes - daikon and little red radishes

Ingredients

·         10-20 little red radishes

·         2 large daikon radishes, peeled

·         1 cup sugar

·         2 1/2 cups white vinegar

·         2 cups warm water (warm enough to easily dissolve sugar)

Method

• Julienne the radishes. We used the mandolin to cut the radishes into thin layers and then let the kids cut them into strips. As you can see from the picture, it doesn't need to be perfect as long as they are cut into small pieces.
• In a big bowl mix together one cup of sugar, the white vinegar and the warm water, until the sugar dissolves.
•  Prepare clean jars. Pack the radishes tightly into the jars. Pour over the pickling liquid to cover. Seal. Refrigerate.
• The pickles should sit at least overnight before eating; their flavour will improve with time. They should last 4 to 6 weeks in the refrigerator. The little red radishes will give the pickles a pretty pink colour.

Pickled radishes sushi rolls with Year 1

 Really big daikon radish harvest from the garden!

New lambs

Welcome to Coco & Chanel our new lambs for the year.

 learning to drink from the bottle

Coco

Newsletter Term 3 Week 2

Lamb
In exciting news we have this week received a new lamb. She is still adjusting to school, new bottles, thousands of visitors but is going well. We will have a vote later in the week to decide on her new name.

Chooks
With the chooks having left us we are currently looking into new ways and options with getting some new ones. We will keep you posted on progress.

Bunnings
It is that time of year again! Bunnings are kindly allowing us to have another BBQ as a fundraiser to support the activities, animals and growing in the garden. If you are available on the 15th AUGUST between 8am and 5pm and could spare an hour or two please let Ms Scanlan know and you will receive the roster link. Many hands at this event make for a great day.

Meeting
Eco Garden Meetings are normally held each month on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Miss Scanlon’s classroom, during term times. Due to holidays our NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON THE 22ND July (tomorrow night). Feel free to come along and hear what it is all about!

Being involved
The Eco Garden is a large part of the school at Hornsby Heights PS and involves many facets and people. There is gardening, animal minding, cooking, cake stalls and BBQs, building of infrastructure and lesson support. If you feel this is something you may be interested in or would like to find out more please come along to a meeting or email Rhonda. Many hands make light work.

Newsletter Term 2, Week 8

‘Benchy’ the Rabbit
As you are probably aware we did have a break in the weekend past and Benchy was taken from the lamb enclosure. The door hinge of the door was broken and the new shed roof also dented. Thankfully, through the wonderful community we live in Benchy was returned. Unfortunately, due to his safety he has now been taken home and will not be visiting school anymore. We hope to have the door hinge fixed soon.

Chooks
Our poor girls have reached that point in their life where they are no longer laying beautiful eggs. They have decided they are ready for the home pampered life. As a result we are asking if there is anyone in the school community that would like to adopt our girls and have them as pets (who knows they may like your home better and start laying again!). Otherwise, we would like someone to mind them during the holidays until a new home has been found. If you feel able to do either of these tasks please contact Briony

Meeting 
Eco Garden Meetings are normally held each month on the third Wednesday of the month at 7pm in Miss Scanlon’s classroom, during term times. Due to other commitment our next meeting will be on the 24th of June.

Being involved
The Eco Garden is a large part of the school at Hornsby Heights PS and involves many facets and people. There is gardening, animal minding, cooking, cake stalls and BBQs, building of infrastructure and lesson support. If you feel this is something you may be interested in or would like to find out more please come along to a meeting or email Rhonda French. Many hands make light work.

Newsletter Term 2 Week 6

Bunnings BBQ- A big thank you to those who supported Our Bunnings BBQ and raffle. Was lovely to see new faces behind the grill. We made a fantastic $999 profit, which will go towards putting furniture in the outdoor classroom. We are lucky enough to have a second BBQ on August 15 so save the date and if you are interested you are welcome to join. Chook update - We are glad to report Vanilla has grown some beautiful new feathers after her moulting. They are still not laying but hopefully they are just feeling the cold. Watch this space - projects on the move are the recycled pallet vertical garden near the bike racks; and installation of a new water tank to catch water from the outdoor kitchen roof. If you would like to be kept informed of opportunities to be a helper in the garden email Rhonda.

Newsletter Term 1, Week 10

Pumpkin Competition
Last week the school entered a pumpkin in the Pumpkin Growing Competition at the Royal Easter Show. We are delighted to say our pumpkin came third weighing in at 18kg. If you are headed to Royal Easter Show this year, pop in and see the prize winning pumpkin. Congratulations Miss Stroak and all of the involved students and parents.

Cake Stall
A massive big thank you to all of the families that donated cakes for the cake stall or who dropped by to buy a cake or raffle ticket at the Election on Saturday. The funds raised go towards the Eco Garden and its continuing projects was $1900.

PAINT NEEDED!!!!
In interest groups on Fridays some of the students have started designing what will eventually become a fence for the Bush Tucker garden. They have been busy creating characters to be painted onto the fence. This will be a long term project but we need your help. The students have come up with great colourful designs and we are seeking OUTDOOR paint in a range of colours as well as any undercoat paint. If you have a tin with a little or a lot that is no longer needed at home could you please deliver to Miss Scanlon’s classroom. All donations are greatly appreciated.

Planting
Great fun was had by all students last week when they got to plant their garden beds. Students have all been involved in discussions around what to plant and last Thursday the wonderful mums and dads came and helped them plant. A few of the beds have had to be wallaby proofed over the weekend but hopefully after the holidays they will all be growing strong.

Watering in the holidays
As we have just planted the gardens leading up to the holidays we are looking for helpers who would be interested in coming and watering the garden beds every day or two (weather permitting) in the holidays. If you are able/ interested please let Briony know!

Next Meeting
Eco Garden meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month with the next meeting being Wednesday 22nd April at 7pm in the Year 5 classroom.

Getting involved but not attend meetings 
If you are interested in helping out at working bees, class planting or cooking lessons or just knowing what’s happening around the gardens please email Rhonda French. She will put you on the helper’s mailing list.

There are many new and exciting things happening in the Eco Garden. Stay tuned each fortnight for more news!

Planting the Garden Beds

Kindy to Year 6 planted their garden beds with winter veggies.

Opening of Willow Park's Fruit and Herb Pocket Garden

See the flyer below - please come along to the Willow Park Garden Party to be held on Saturday 28 February from 10-1pm to launch the fruit and herb pocket garden. Willow Park is at the corner of Edgeworth David Avenue and Sherbrook Avenue in central Hornsby – there is only limited parking. There is no need to book….just come along and learn more about community gardening, recycling and energy saving.

This event is ideal for anyone interested in community gardening – Hornsby Council now has a new Community Gardening page on our website with resources….go to www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/communitygardens.

Pumpkin growing for the Royal Easter Show

It’s a fairytale dream come true for the kids at Hornsby Heights – they’ve grown a pumpkin. 
 
Year one and three kids are now tenderly nursing their Atlantic Pumpkin, hoping it’ll grow big enough to be a record breaker in time for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
They’re taking part in The Great Backyard Pumpkin Challenge, and hope their pumpkin will be a winner at the show, which takes place from March 26 until April 8.
Teacher Kirsten Stroak even went to the school over the summer holidays to water the plants.
“We’ve got two healthy plants and there’s quite a few flowers on both, and the pumpkin we’ve got is about the size of a clenched fist.
“My students have always been very interested in growing things. Every class has a vegetable patch. They are very excited. They came back after the holidays and said ‘how are they growing?”
Entries close at 5pm Wednesday, February 11.
As well as the hotly contested biggest pumpkin competitions, there’s also some more unusual prizes up for grabs, including smallest pumpkin, celebrity look-alike pumpkin and best decorated pumpkin.

Full article in the Hornsby Advocate

Newsletter Term 1 Week 1 2015

Welcome Back for 2015!

Thanks
A great big thankyou to families that baby sat our chooks during the holidays! The “chooky” girls are back and loving all of the child attention again. The gardens are looking very bare but will soon be gaining some new plants!

Rosters
Are you interested in minding the school chooks for a weekend? It simply requires collecting the keys and weekend food on Friday afternoon and dropping by to feed, change their water and say hello on Saturday and Sunday of the weekend. You would be rostered on for approximately one weekend per term. If this sounds like a job for you please contact Ms Scanlan and include your contact details including email address, children names and any specific availability requests.

Meeting
Eco Garden Meetings are held each month on the third Tuesday of the month at 7pm in Miss Scanlon’s classroom, during term times. Our next meeting is on the 17th February. New members are always welcome. The first meeting of the year will look at replanting the gardens and plans for the year.

Being involved
The Eco Garden is a large part of the school at Hornsby Heights PS and involves many facets and people. There is gardening, animal minding, cooking, cake stalls and BBQs, building of infrastructure and lesson support. If you feel this is something you may be interested in or would like to find out more please come along to a meeting or contact Rhonda French. Many hands make light work.

Garden Tidy Up
In order to get the gardens ready for the year we will have a general garden tidy up on Friday afternoon at 2pm (6th February). If you are coming for pick up why not come a bit early and pull some weeds!