By Jamie Salter
Hampton Park Primary School is celebrating the completion of a centenary garden ahead of its 100th birthday in 2022.
Plaques will be erected in the brand new garden to commemorate former staff members who have made an impact on the school and their community.
The garden has been divided into four sections to represent the continents where the school’s families come from, featuring native flora of Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Eastern and Central Asia.
A peppercorn tree has stood tall for 100 years on the school grounds near the front gate and staff have decided to plant a new peppercorn tree in the centre of the centenary garden for future generations to enjoy.
Principal Elizabeth Davey said the garden has been an ongoing project throughout the year.
“This has always been a dead area and a former staff member came up with the idea to turn it into a centenary garden,” Ms Davey said.
“We were lucky enough to use a voucher from Cranbourne Bunnings to go towards the plants.
“We want it to be a quiet area of reflection where the children can go to sit and spend some time.”
The garden was designed by the school and built by maintenance staff member Patrick Smith.
“I initially got help from a couple landscapers to get it off the ground, before I did the planting, mulching and the gravel,” Mr Smith said.
“I did my research on what plants were from what part of the world and was able to come up with enough.
“They’re all going to grow bigger and some of them are already taking off quite well.”
Blue stone edging was reclaimed from an old school building and now lines the garden.
Planning is already in full-swing for the school’s 100th anniversary next year, set to be held on Saturday, February 12.
