Workshops and Events
Watch this space for the latest updates of our workshops and events!
Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group (Sep 2025)
September’s session of the Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group was a magical celebration of the Moon Festival, filled with stories, traditions, and hands-on fun.
We began by practising the strokes of Chinese characters, helping the children strengthen their writing skills, before moving on to more Hanyu Pinyin practice to boost their pronunciation and listening. Their excitement grew as we introduced the Moon Festival, one of the most beloved Chinese celebrations.
The children listened intently to the legendary tales that surround the festival — the story of Hou Yi shooting down nine of the ten suns to save the earth, and the moving tale of Chang’E floating to the moon, where she still resides today. These stories sparked wonder and curiosity, giving the kids a glimpse into the rich folklore behind the festival.
We also explored the tradition of mooncakes, a special treat enjoyed during the festival. The children were delighted to learn about the different varieties and then had the chance to make their own mooncakes, rolling and shaping them with pride. To complete the celebration, the kids crafted their own lanterns, ready to “light up” the festival.
It was a joyful session blending language practice, storytelling, and festive traditions, the perfect way to celebrate the Moon Festival together!
We’re Back at VegoFest 2025!
We’re thrilled to announce that Nurtureland will be part of VegoFest 2025 on Sunday, 19 October, at the Old Cheese Factory! 🎉
This year, we’ll be serving up two crowd favourites:
🍚 Vegetarian Chicken Rice – hearty, flavourful, and comforting.
🥟 Keropok – light, crispy, and perfect for snacking.
VegoFest is a meaningful celebration of love, nurture, and connection, bringing together communities through vegetarian and vegan food, live performances, and family-friendly activities.
✨ Mark your calendars and come find us at VegoFest for a delicious, meat-free day!
📅 19 October 2025
Old Cheese Factory, Berwick
10am – 4pm
👉 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates as we prepare for the big day.
👉 Learn more about VegoFest 2025.
Simply V Cooking Class (Sep 2025)
In September, our Simply V Cooking Class with VCAI delighted participants with two comforting and flavour-packed dishes that brought together everyday ingredients and timeless traditions.
🍰 Steamed Malay Cake
Soft, airy, and gently fragrant with the caramel-like sweetness of palm sugar, this classic Southeast Asian sponge cake was a highlight of the session. Steamed to perfection, its moist, bouncy texture makes it the perfect treat alongside a warm cup of tea. Humble yet irresistible, it remains a beloved favourite for many.
🍜 Stir-Fried Instant Noodles
Quick, versatile, and full of flavour, these noodles proved that a simple dish can still be satisfying and nourishing. With the addition of fresh vegetables and plant-based ingredients, participants learnt how to transform an everyday staple into a vibrant and delicious meal that’s perfect for busy days.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this month! Cooking together is a wonderful way to connect and share new skills. We look forward to seeing you at our next class for more delicious creations.
Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group (Aug 2025)
August’s session of the Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group was filled with creativity, learning, and meaningful storytelling.
The children began by revisiting the basic strokes of Chinese characters, strengthening their foundation in writing while becoming more confident with each brush and pen movement. They also learned a new Hanyu Pinyin sound “T”, practising its pronunciation as they tried out new words together.
A highlight of the day was listening to the touching story of Min Ziqian, a tale that introduced values of filial piety. The children listened attentively, showing how stories can connect language learning with cultural understanding.
Of course, no session would be complete without art and craft time, which is always a favourite! This month, the children created beautiful pinwheels. They painted them in bright colours, then carefully threaded beads to decorate their creations, proudly displaying their finished pinwheels to end a joyful session of discovery!
Simply V Cooking Class (Aug 2025)
In August, we partnered with VCAI for another inspiring Simply V Cooking Class, where participants learnt how to create two dishes that highlight the beauty of simple ingredients and plant-based cooking.
🍪 Almond Cookies
Crunchy, nutty, and irresistibly light, these almond cookies were a hit with everyone. With just a handful of ingredients, they come together in minutes—ground almonds giving a rich, toasty flavour and the dough baking into a golden, crumbly texture. Perfect with tea or as a light snack, they’re proof that delicious treats don’t need to be complicated.
🍄 Stir-Fried King Oyster Mushrooms with Vegetables
Our savoury highlight of the day featured king oyster mushrooms, beautifully scored and pan-seared until golden. Arranged around a vibrant mix of green beans, carrots, and vegetarian shrimp in a glossy ginger-infused sauce, this dish was as much a feast for the eyes as for the taste buds. Balanced, nourishing, and full of texture, it showed just how versatile plant-based cooking can be.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this month! Cooking together continues to be a joyful way of sharing skills, flavours, and community spirit. We look forward to seeing you again at our next class for more delicious plant-based creations.
Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group (Jul 2025)
July’s session of the Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group was filled with laughter, learning, and a special peek into the past!
We began with focused writing and reading tasks, giving the children time to strengthen their Mandarin character recognition and handwriting. Their enthusiasm really shone through during a lively matching game, where they matched words to the consonants they begin with.
One of the highlights of the day was learning a popular children’s rhyme, “Little White Rabbit”. The children had a fantastic time hopping around like rabbits, using their bodies to bring the rhyme to life. It was a joyful blend of movement and language, and the room was soon filled with giggles and energetic bounces!
We ended the session with an introduction to Oracle Bone Script, the earliest known form of Chinese writing. The children were fascinated to see how ancient characters were carved into bones and how those symbols eventually evolved into modern Chinese. It sparked their curiosity and gave them a deeper appreciation of the language’s rich history.
It was a day of active learning, cultural discovery, and playful exploration, everything our Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group is all about!
Simply V Cooking Class (Jul 2025)
Our July Simply V Cooking Class brought together comforting flavours and simple techniques to create two delicious vegetarian dishes that warmed both hearts and tummies.
Red Bean Rice Cake
These soft, chewy pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste were a hit with participants. Made from glutinous rice flour, the cakes were pan-fried to golden perfection—crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside. A nostalgic treat in many Asian cuisines, they were perfect for dessert or afternoon tea. Simple, satisfying, and full of flavour!
Pumpkin with Peanut Sauce
The second dish featured tender chunks of boiled pumpkin smothered in a fragrant peanut sauce. The nutty richness paired beautifully with the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, creating a hearty, comforting dish that’s perfect with a bowl of steamed rice.
As always, participants connected through shared stories and laughter, while preparing wholesome, plant-based meals together. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!
Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group (Jun 2025)
Our June session of the Mandarin and Cultural Adventure Group was filled with energy and tradition as we explored the vibrant celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival!
We began by revisiting Chinese stroke writing, helping the children strengthen their understanding of how characters are built, one stroke at a time. With growing confidence, they also continued practising Hanyu Pinyin, slowly building a solid foundation in pronunciation.
The highlight of the session was diving into the story behind the Dragon Boat Festival. The children listened to the tale of Qu Yuan, the patriotic poet whose legacy is honoured with dragon boat races and sticky rice dumplings known as zongzi. We explored the different types of zongzi, sparking curiosity and a few hungry tummies!
The children got hands-on with a fun and creative craft activity: making their own miniature dragon boats, complete with tiny handmade dumplings. With colourful materials and big imaginations, their boats came to life, and so did the spirit of the festival.
Simply V Cooking Class (Jun 2025)
In our June Simply V Cooking Class, held in collaboration with VCAI, we welcomed participants to another nourishing afternoon of plant-based cooking and community sharing.
This month’s menu featured two delicious vegetarian dishes that brought together both hearty satisfaction and comforting flavour.
Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
A golden twist on a much-loved classic! These flaky, savoury rolls were filled with a wholesome blend of carrots, walnuts, oats, and feta cheese. Baked to perfection in puff pastry, they were quick to prepare and an instant crowd-pleaser, perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying as a snack.
Braised Eggplant
This flavour-packed dish highlighted eggplant’s incredible ability to soak up savoury sauces. Slow-cooked until meltingly tender with ginger, soy sauce, and a touch of chilli, the braised eggplant offered a beautiful balance of sweet, salty, and umami. Whether enjoyed as a main or a side, it added depth and warmth to any meal.
As always, participants enjoyed the hands-on experience, learning step-by-step how to prepare each dish and picking up tips along the way. It was a session filled with delicious aromas, vibrant colours, and lively conversation, reminding us how food connects and nourishes us on many levels.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the class! We look forward to sharing more tasty, plant-based recipes with you in our next session.
Simply V Cooking Class (May 2025) Tea Appreciation Session
In May, we partnered with VCAI for a special edition of our Simply V Cooking Class—an immersive Tea Appreciation session. Participants explored the world of tea through the senses, learning about different types of tea leaves, traditional teapots, and the artful steps of brewing. Everyone had the chance to experience hands-on tea making, discovering the patience and mindfulness it requires.
The session concluded with a meaningful sharing titled “The Way of Tea and Life: Seeing the World in a Leaf, Understanding Life in a Sip.” Through this, we reflected on the deeper philosophy of tea—embracing impermanence, cultivating simplicity, and finding wisdom in every sip. It was a quiet yet powerful reminder that in a single cup, we can find both stillness and insight.