Te Puke High School Creates Inclusive Garden Space for Special Needs Students

Te Puke High School's special learning unit, Te Ringa Awhina, has opened a purpose-built sensory garden as part of the broader Seed to Plate initiative. The garden marks a significant step forward in inclusivity and hands-on learning for students with high learning and mobility requirements.

The first of three raised garden beds is now complete, with Year 11 student Silvio Shallcrass planting the inaugural plants. Previously, Te Ringa Awhina students had access to a plot in the ag-horticulture area but lacked wheelchair accessibility and facilities catering to their sensory needs. The new beds include recessed areas for wheelchairs, allowing students to engage directly with soil and plants.

The garden's central location reinforces the inclusive values of the Seed to Plate project, which integrates agriculture-horticulture, technology, and food technology learning across the school.

Originally published in Te Puke News by Sun Media.