Intergenerational Gardening Project at St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope

A group of ten students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope, Garden Club, spent quality time helping the senior residents weeding and watering the garden at the local Senior Hub. (26 April 2023)

A group of green-thumbed students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Wauchope, Garden Club, enjoyed a lovely day of gardening with the local senior residents of Wauchope at the OMNICARE Seniors Hub.

The Garden Club has been a staple of St Joseph’s for several years, getting students involved during lunchtime weeding and watering plants as part of the school's sustainability and Waste Warriors projects. Produce from the garden is sold at the garden market stall by students during the Friday assembly and has been very well received and supported by the parents. 

The Intergenerational Gardening project is a wonderful initiative created by the Mid-North Coast-based Aged Care provider OMNICARE. The project is focused on building patience and resilience so the students can learn how to grow in their understanding of the needs of the elderly in their community. 

‘This was the best day ever!’ said Year 6 student Chase.

Soft chatter and laughter could be heard as students and senior residents gardened with big smiles, transforming a small part of the Cottage into a splendid garden filled with colourful flowers, orange trees, handmade insect hotels and a small water hole for frogs. OMNICAREs staff were very impressed with the student’s manners and the respect they displayed.

‘I was so impressed with the respect our kids displayed and the excitement and the enthusiasm they showed. They had a genuine interest in the garden, and they asked questions of the seniors and answered questions. It was an absolute pleasure being involved in this event,’ said Teacher Assistant Christine Ninness.

More visits from St Joseph’s Primary School are already being planned for the future.