Co-op Highlights

We've had such a wonderful time watching our co-op grow and for families within our community forge friendships. We've celebrated the seasons, tended our garden, played in the sunshine and our very first camp. Here are a few highlights of the past year or so…

The neighbourhood garden...

We began tending our neighbourhood garden plot in earnest in February and we've been astounded at what a small group of enthusiastic children can do in such a short time! Working together, they've weeded...




Dug and composted...




And prepared our garden for planting. In just the last half hour of each co-op day we've managed to prepare a beautiful plot. The children have learnt lots already about soil, water and weeds... Last week they noticed that the compost felt warm under their feet and so discussion of the composting process, bacteria and soil began... But not only that, they're discovering the beauty of working together and all mucking in to create something co-operatively to be proud of... Tomorrow we plant our first seeds and watch our little garden grow food for us to share! Our hope is that each family will have some food to take home, and that we might harvest enough for a cooking day in the hall. So much to look forward to and share... we're looking forward to watching this tiny co-op grow and flourish too!

Gadget dissection at co-op!

It was lovely to see some new faces at co-op last week.  We all had a great time pulling apart things to see what makes them work. Some of the adults had just as much fun. Who knew destroying things could be so much fun?! You can learn so much when you pull things apart - just ask my toddler ;)



There were type writers, remote control cars, keyboards, heaters, telephones, clocks... all manner of things. All pulled apart enthusiastically. For those too small to join in, there was playdough.



The useful bits from our deconstructive fun, were swept aside for next week when we'll turn them into inventions! Lots of us are looking forward to that.



After lunch and a play and a warm cuppa, we wandered through the community garden to check out the community beds we have been invited to tend while we wait for our own plot *. We managed to stay until 3.30pm, when the sun dropped down behind the hill and it became a little too chilly for the playground. All in all, a fun day!

If you'd like to come along next week and make an amazing invention, please bring along some bits and pieces you don't need anymore, to add to the left over gadget bits. Some glue, tape, hot glue guns, scissors... anything you think might be useful. All would be appreciated! See you then. xx

* There's a working bee at the community garden in a couple of weeks. Please let me know if you're interested and I'll forward the info to you. 

Marine Discovery Centre Visit and a Community Garden Plot!

We've penciled in a visit to the Marine Discovery Centre on Tuesday 28th of August. We'll be participating in a hands on program making art, fish printing, doing a little foreshore study and exploring the touch tanks. It's pitched at K-6, so should fit our large age range nicely. Cost to attend will depend on numbers... If you're keen to come along, please email Lauren at owletmama@gmail.com

Also, we are waiting our very own co-op plot at the community garden located behind the cottage. It shouldn't be too long, but if you're keen to get involved, we've been invited to attend working bees and help tend the neighbourhood plot (which means we can help ourselves to surplus vegies too!). Let Lauren know if you are interested.

Don't forget that if you'd like an update on anything happening at co-op, make sure you subscribe to receive this blog via email (see the little subscribe button top right). Or, you could join our facebook group. Look forward to seeing you at co-op soon!