A group of Southern Highlands students have put their green thumbs to the test as part of Education Week.
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Bowral High School Year 7 and 8 students have been honing their gardening skills at the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens in Bowral.
The working relationship with the SHBG volunteers is nothing new. The students have been helping out at the gardens on the corner of Kangaloon and Old South Road for more than a year.
The involvement at the gardens has been part of the community service initiative undertaken by the school.
SHBG Board director Lyn Collingridge said the students' involvement at the garden has included helping with various jobs in the garden and resulted in lots of skills gained, that would not "ordinarily be taught" in school.
"Over time, these students have learned how to "pot up" small plants to larger pots, mulch garden beds, get on the end of a spade to plant small trees and learned how to water plants effectively," she said.
Twenty Year 7 and 8 students offered their service to the gardens on August 7 as part of Education Week.
Ms Collinridge said they offered valuable assistance helping plant out the Winter Garden and creating winter colour.
"These students walked from their school to the garden and return, and got a good amount of outdoor exercise during the afternoon," she said.
"As they departed the garden, they were each given a kite as a thank you for the work they do in the garden.
"As predicted, they flew the kites on the walk back to school creating a visual hazard for passing motorists, while putting a smile on their face."
Ms Collingridge said SHBG saw great value in continuing its relationship with Bowral High School and commended the students' participation in community work.
"It gives an additional, and very valuable, dimension to their education curriculum," she said.