Garden to Table School Programme
Updated: Mar 14, 2025
March 2025 Programme
Through the Garden to Table Trust programme children are getting the opportunity to study the bumblebee in its own environment and learn about the important role they play in pollinating our food crops. We have sent out 30 hives to 30 schools and 400 books 'Bumblebees have Smelly Feet' to 38 schools. The books are very interactive with many projects for the children to engage in. Thanks to Garden to Table for this opportunity.
We are thrilled to share this response from Te Paea Adams, Principal of Kaihu Valley School:
"Thank you for these resources! OMG how awesome was our day today once our Bee Hive arrived! WOWeee my tamariki just absolutely loved learning about bees. We were extra careful around our bee box and the littlies who came into class at lunch said "ohhh whaea you are too loud you will hurt the bees ears". Now that is just magic!
Even the purple bee books, the older tamariki lovedddd them! We learnt so much reading them and they all enjoyed scoping out our grounds to find the perfect place - some saying "nah whaea too windy" or "nah whaea to sunny. Love, love, love! Thank you so much.
Here are some photos of the kids enjoying the bees.
Kaihu Valley School Kaihu Valley School Kaihu Valley School
Here is another response from Bronwyn at Haumoana School in the Hawkes Bay,
Thank you so much for sending us our bumblebee hive. The kids are thoroughly enjoying watching the bees coming in and out of their hive. This experience has encouraged us to research bees and the amazing work they do for our environment. It has helped us think about co-operating and the team work that goes on in the hive and how this is just like us in the classroom- working together! We have also adopted the "bee theme" in our maths, fitness and writing programmes. Lots of fun!
What a lovely experience your fabulous business has provided for the tamariki at Haumoana School!
Geoff & Liz also visited the Waihi Beach School in March. Such enthusiastic kids that were thrilled to watch the bees coming out of their hive for the first time.
Thanks to our amazing sponsors, in particular Al Brown & Friends and Constellation Brands.
November 2023 - the first Garden to Table Programme
November 2023 was an amazing month for the Trust with the roll out of a new school education programme in association with Garden to Table.
NZBCT sent out 800 books ‘Bumblebees have Smelly Feet’ to 80 schools and sent live bumblebee hives to 31 schools. Trust members Geoff & Rachel also visited 6 schools in the Tauranga region. The response has just been wonderful, seeing the children interact with the bumblebee story and learn about the importance of pollination. Many, many thanks to everyone who helped and to our fabulous sponsors: Wright Family Foundation, Constellation Brands and Zonda Beneficials.
Here’s some pics from Maketu School, Pahoiha School, Pukehina School, Rangiruru School, St Mary’s Catholic School & Whakamarama School.
Whakamarama School St Mary’s Catholic School Rangiuru school Pukehina School Maketu School Pahoia School
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It's fantastic to see how children's books can make learning about nature so engaging and enjoyable. The Bumblebees Have Smelly Feet project is a lovely example of combining storytelling with hands-on education, helping children understand pollination, teamwork, and environmental care. Initiatives like this also highlight the value of self publishing with Amazon KDP, giving authors an opportunity to share educational books with schools, families, and young readers worldwide. Keep up the wonderful work!
I really like how this program combines classroom learning with practical experiences such as gardening and bee conservation. Just as students may seek coursework help when dealing with challenging assignments, young learners can benefit from opportunities to develop useful practical skills. It is great to see an educational initiative creating engaging experiences that encourage curiosity, learning, and hands-on participation.