Convent Kids: Sapling School

Join an outdoor expedition for curious kids and their adults led by play specialist Catherine Sewell and gardener Matthew Henry. Through singing, storytelling and hands-on activities, kids will learn about the seasons, ecosystems, organic gardening and the custodians of the land and water where the classes take place—the Wurundjeri people.

Explore the Convent’s sprawling heritage gardens, get those hands dirty, and rediscover the great outdoors through play. Children will have the opportunity to go on a guided walk, learn more about the plants and animals that live in the area, and sow seasonal vegetables in seedling trays which will then be rehomed in the Lentil as Anything Edible Garden. The vegetables will be harvested by the Lentils team for use in delicious vegan dishes at their pay-as-you feel restaurant based at the Convent. Children will also make a seedling cup from newspaper and take some planted seeds home.

Tailored for children aged 3–5 years, Sapling School is specifically designed to introduce sustainability education at an early age, to encourage environmentally-conscious habits and to support children’s connection to their community and the land.