Third Class had the wonderful opportunity to visit our neighbours in L’Arche, who warmly welcomed us into their beautiful garden and facilities for a fascinating morning of outdoor learning. We were also delighted to be joined by some enthusiastic boys from 5th and 6th Class, who have been doing fantastic work in developing our own school garden. It was a lovely opportunity for the boys to learn together and gather inspiration for future gardening projects at school. L’Arche, which has been part of our community for over 40 years, is truly a hidden oasis tucked away nearby. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful and peaceful space on our doorstep.
During our visit, we met Klaus, a horticulturist, who shared his incredible knowledge and passion for plants. He spoke to the boys about everything plants need to grow, sunlight, water, air, nutrients, and care and also reminded us of all that plants give back to us. From food and oxygen to medicines, cosmetics, and materials we use every day, the boys were amazed to discover just how important plants are in our lives.
Next, the group visited the composting area, where they learned all about the fascinating process of composting. Claus explained the three golden rules of composting:
- Layering correctly – alternating “brown materials” such as fallen autumn leaves or shredded newspaper with “green materials” like grass clippings and plant cuttings.
- Chopping materials into smaller pieces – to help them break down more quickly.
- Mixing regularly – to keep the compost healthy and active.
The boys were fascinated to learn that compost goes through several stages of sifting and sorting and can heat up significantly as it breaks down. During this stage, worms avoid the compost because it becomes too warm for them, but they return later when conditions are right. Perhaps the most surprising fact of all was that there can be up to 7 billion microorganisms in just one handful of compost!
Afterwards, we explored the garden itself, identifying a wide variety of plants, some edible, some not! The boys discovered golden marjoram, dandelions, lavender, rosemary, fennel, potatoes, dock leaves, and many more. To finish off the visit, the boys took part in a fun plant identification competition, racing in teams to correctly identify and retrieve different plants from around the garden.
The boys thoroughly enjoyed this engaging day of outdoor learning, discovering just how much there is to learn from nature. We returned to school full of inspiration, new knowledge, and lots of exciting ideas for our own school garden. A huge thank you to Klaus and everyone at L’Arche for such a warm welcome and a great experience!
Togher Boys' National School 