Partnership Case Study
Athelstone Primary School
The idea for the Kitchen Garden Shark Tank project was started as part of a desire within Athelstone Primary to accomplish two things. First, they wanted to bring a new sense of vitality and efficiency to their current kitchen garden. Secondly, they wished for staff to engage more deeply into an inquiry process that was scaffolded and collaborative across the school.
Our PARTNER
Athelstone Primary School
SETTING
Urban School
Athelstone, SA
ENGAGEMENT
Multi-year partnership
FOCUS AREAS
Whole-staff implementation of the Culture of Excellence Program
Innovation and Problem-Solving in the Kitchen: How Athelstone Students Explored Sustainable Growing Practices
Case Summary
Learners at Athelstone Primary School gained a higher awareness of where food comes from through kitchen garden projects, inspired by the popular TV program Shark Tank. Using Solution Fluency, they developed innovative concepts for food production geared toward solving problems and building sustainable growing practices for future generations. The judges were impressed by the Year 2 classes, who used visual appeal along with linking elements such as birds, bugs, and flowers. The Year 3-4 classes focused on design and included a range of innovative plans, water sustainability, and integration of various native elements within a standard vegetable patch.
The Culture of Excellence process helped strengthen what already makes our school great.
98%
The frameworks provided clear, practical structures that support my everyday teaching.
100%
Our team now shares a more consistent language and approach to improving learning.
98%
Professional learning and conversations increased my connection to our collective vision.
100%
Overall, this has been a positive and valuable experience for our school community.
100%
(Percentages reflect staff who agreed or strongly agreed.)
In Their Words
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"The Culture of Excellence framework has helped transform the way that students engage and acquire knowledge."
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"Teachers are now more engaged with developing unit plans that place students in the centre of the model. There is more rigour, a refreshed use and understanding of Bloom’s Taxonomy, inquiry learning cycles and mindful assessment."
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"Students, as well as being engaged and motivated, are passionate because they have ownership over their learning, an autonomy which helps create a values-driven education geared to process and critical-thinking."
“Our learners are deeply concerned about making the world a better place, and this kind of instruction empowers them to think and act in ways they never have before."
Principal, Athelstone Primary School