,Donation helps garden project to flourish

Students with special education needs at Baldivis Secondary College have received a big boost to a special sensory garden project after Bunnings Port Kennedy donated a stack of gardening goods including a new greenhouse.

The garden, which was started to help the school’s autistic and special needs students, is set up to help them cope with the stresses of academic life.

Baldivis Secondary College curriculum support manager Leisa Hanson said the sensory garden played a critical part in managing the students’ mental health.

“Because of their autism, intellectual disabilities and levels of anxiety, it is very hard for them to try and behave in a socially acceptable way all the time,” Ms Hanson said.

“The garden gives them time out, where they can do something very calming.

“It allows their brainwaves to just calm down and they feel a lot calmer and are able to cope with being in a school environment.”

Students started off nurturing lettuce and will also grow carrots, beans, strawberries, citrus plants and herbs.

Ms Hanson said the garden would also help give students life skills further down the road.

“It’s very good for these kids because some of them will be able to live independently in the community,” she said.

“The idea is once the garden starts producing, we’ll have the kids in the kitchen and be teaching them how to cook.”