School Garden Gallery

Monterey Secondary College Garden Project
 In January, 2021 HTAV was approached by the Monterey Secondary College in Frankston to assist with the preparation of a submission for a grant to turn a large outdoor space into gardens to aid the assimilation of disadvantaged students into their school community.

After meeting with school representatives, HTAV CE,-Paul de la Motte(who is also a landscape designer) helped create a design for the school that incorporated the students ‘wish list’ as well as other features that would add to the ambience of the garden.

Unfortunately the school was unsuccessful with this grant. The plan was then divided into various "stages" enabling the school to apply for smaller grants and get their dream garden started.

Compass Education Pty Ltd -a school software company - donated the funds to make Stage 1 a reality.

Compass also provided a team of their office staff - including IT developers, trainers, etc  to assist with the build. Working with subcontractors for the heavier work and with HTAV input as to design the garden came together during the July school holidays.

The students "wish" list included a tiled outdoor chess board, meeting areas for seating, boards for their artwork as well as sensory plants and natives.

Compass also donated  shrubs and herbs which the students will plant up with the school horticulturalist. The aim is to give students a greater feeling of involvement and ‘ownership’ of their garden. A professional artist will also work with students to create their artworks.

Paul Edbrooke (Member for Frankston) attended the school to plant a tree and open the garden.