{"id":21563,"date":"2025-10-07T16:25:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T05:25:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/?p=21563"},"modified":"2025-11-27T15:56:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T04:56:34","slug":"deer-park-west-ps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/deer-park-west-ps\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons That Go Beyond the Kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lessons That Go Beyond the Kitchen\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 <\/h2>

When Deer Park West Primary School joined the Cooking Classes Program, it sparked more than just excitement, it ignited a journey of learning, connection, and growth. The program proved that cooking is a powerful tool for education, bringing families together while teaching essential skills that extend far beyond the kitchen.\u00a0 <\/p>

At its core, the program is about more than preparing meals, it’s about learning through doing. Each week, students explore new recipes, learning how to follow instructions, measure ingredients, and work collaboratively. These hands-on experiences nurtured confidence, curiosity, and creativity.\u00a0 <\/p>

At Deer Park West, older siblings stepped up to lead the cooking process, while younger ones eagerly joined in, chopping veggies and cracking eggs. The pop-up kitchen became another classroom, and every meal became a lesson in teamwork, responsibility, and pride.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>

\"\" <\/div>

\u201cMy mum and I have learned a lot from the program and hope it can bring us closer together at home and in the kitchen.\u201d<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Abigail, Student\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>

The take-home hampers, filled with fresh produce, encouraged families to think creatively and resourcefully. Whether following the provided recipes or inventing their own, families learned how to make the best of what they had on hand.\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>

One parent reflected:\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>

\u201cCooking for the family used to be difficult. I didn\u2019t always know what to make or how to please everyone. Now, with the kids helping and the recipes provided, I feel more confident.\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span> <\/p>

This shift in mindset, from uncertainty to confidence, highlights how the program empowers families to learn together and support one another.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

A key part of the program is the introduction to kitchen safety and nutrition education. Students mastered knife safety techniques such as the rock and chop, the claw, and the bridge, building their confidence with each session. Cooking classes aren’t just about preparing food – they\u2019re about learning how to be safe, responsible, and independent.\u00a0 <\/p>

In addition to cooking skills, students also learned to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists. This eye-opening experience is helping them make informed, healthier choices, like opting for fruit-infused water instead of soft drinks.\u00a0 <\/p>

The Cooking Classes Program teaches students and families how to:\u00a0 <\/p>

<\/p>

  • Cook and experiment with ingredients\u00a0<\/span> <\/li>
  • Work together and support one another\u00a0 <\/li>
  • Stay safe in the kitchen\u00a0 <\/li>
  • Make healthier choices\u00a0 <\/li>
  • Be confident and resourceful\u00a0 <\/li> <\/ul>

    These are lessons that go far beyond the kitchen they\u2019re lessons for life. The Cooking Classes Program at Deer Park West Primary School was more than just preparing food, it was a way to bond and build skills that will last well beyond the program.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>

    \"\" <\/div> <\/div>
    \"\" <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
    <\/div>

    Big thanks to placement student Angelina for her contributions to the Cooking Classes at Deer Park West, both in the kitchen and with helping to write this case study. <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Lessons That Go Beyond the Kitchen\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 When Deer Park West Primary School joined the Cooking Classes Program, it sparked more than just excitement, it ignited a journey of learning, connection, and growth. The program proved that cooking is a powerful tool for education, bringing families together while teaching essential skills that extend far beyond […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":105,"featured_media":21558,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[244],"tags":[15,116],"class_list":["post-21563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vic","tag-foodbank-victoria","tag-school-breakfast-club"],"acf":[],"formatted_date":"October 7, 2025","raw_html":"

    Lessons That Go Beyond the Kitchen\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 <\/h2>

    When Deer Park West Primary School joined the Cooking Classes Program, it sparked more than just excitement, it ignited a journey of learning, connection, and growth. The program proved that cooking is a powerful tool for education, bringing families together while teaching essential skills that extend far beyond the kitchen.\u00a0 <\/p>

    At its core, the program is about more than preparing meals, it's about learning through doing. Each week, students explore new recipes, learning how to follow instructions, measure ingredients, and work collaboratively. These hands-on experiences nurtured confidence, curiosity, and creativity.\u00a0 <\/p>

    At Deer Park West, older siblings stepped up to lead the cooking process, while younger ones eagerly joined in, chopping veggies and cracking eggs. The pop-up kitchen became another classroom, and every meal became a lesson in teamwork, responsibility, and pride.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>

    \"\" <\/div>

    \u201cMy mum and I have learned a lot from the program and hope it can bring us closer together at home and in the kitchen.\u201d<\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u2014 Abigail, Student\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>

    The take-home hampers, filled with fresh produce, encouraged families to think creatively and resourcefully. Whether following the provided recipes or inventing their own, families learned how to make the best of what they had on hand.\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>

    One parent reflected:\u00a0<\/span> <\/p>

    \u201cCooking for the family used to be difficult. I didn\u2019t always know what to make or how to please everyone. Now, with the kids helping and the recipes provided, I feel more confident.\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span> <\/p>

    This shift in mindset, from uncertainty to confidence, highlights how the program empowers families to learn together and support one another.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

    A key part of the program is the introduction to kitchen safety and nutrition education. Students mastered knife safety techniques such as the rock and chop, the claw, and the bridge, building their confidence with each session. Cooking classes aren't just about preparing food - they\u2019re about learning how to be safe, responsible, and independent.\u00a0 <\/p>

    In addition to cooking skills, students also learned to read nutrition labels and ingredient lists. This eye-opening experience is helping them make informed, healthier choices, like opting for fruit-infused water instead of soft drinks.\u00a0 <\/p>

    The Cooking Classes Program teaches students and families how to:\u00a0 <\/p>

    <\/p>

    • Cook and experiment with ingredients\u00a0<\/span> <\/li>
    • Work together and support one another\u00a0 <\/li>
    • Stay safe in the kitchen\u00a0 <\/li>
    • Make healthier choices\u00a0 <\/li>
    • Be confident and resourceful\u00a0 <\/li> <\/ul>

      These are lessons that go far beyond the kitchen they\u2019re lessons for life. The Cooking Classes Program at Deer Park West Primary School was more than just preparing food, it was a way to bond and build skills that will last well beyond the program.\u00a0 <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>

      \"\" <\/div> <\/div>
      \"\" <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
      <\/div>

      Big thanks to placement student Angelina for her contributions to the Cooking Classes at Deer Park West, both in the kitchen and with helping to write this case study. <\/p> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>","ACF":{"custom_facebook_pixel":"","disable_header":false,"disable_footer":false,"highlight_post":false},"featured_image_url":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/DPW-2.png","author_name":"eminam@foodbankvictoria.org.au","spinnr_header":"default_spinnr_header","spinnr_mobile_menu":"default_spinnr_mobile_menu","spinnr_footer":"default_spinnr_footer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/105"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21563"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24648,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21563\/revisions\/24648"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.foodbank.org.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}