Non-sports orientated students at an Orange high school are digging into an alternative program they can be active in during the school's allocated sports time.
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The students from Canobolas Rural Technology High School are taking part in a garden club during the double sports period for years 7 to 10 each Thursday.
The school's community liaison officer Stuart Riles said the students took part in school gardening and beautification work and helped maintain the agriculture plot and looked after the livestock.
"The teachers decide every week what they will do," he said.
"It's fun and the kids are really enjoying it, it's getting them outside, it's getting them active, it's getting the to complete an activity every time."
Among the participants is year 7 student Ayesha Rushton (left), pictured with Angela Barlow, Oscar Knight, Matt Caulfield (dressed as garden guru Costa), Braden Walsh, Ashton Murray, Mike Manson, Evan Kennedy, Takai Edward, Kiah Sullivan.
"I like animals and I also like planting stuff," Ayesha said of her decision to select gardening over sports.
Ayesha said the animals were he favourite part of the elective and she was surprised how active it was.
Agriculture teacher Chrissie Hallett said this was the first time gardening was included as part of the sport selection but the school had attempted to run a garden club in the past but it was difficult to find a time for it.
Miss Hallett said the previous garden club had one teacher but now it was so popular there were three teachers involved.
"It's popular, it gives those kids who might not be sporting something else physical to do," Miss Hallett said.
She said three students signed up on Friday bringing the number up to 45.
"We've got students across the age groups so they can socialise together," she said.
On Thursday students participated in school beautification and planted flowers.
However, Miss Hallett said a green house was being built so when it gets cold students could do propagation work and the club can continue.
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