“The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish Innovator.

Relationships are integral to establishing connections within our community at the Early Learning Centre and provide the children with a fundamental sense of belonging. Fostering positive relationships encourages opportunities for the children to build trust, learn to resolve conflicts peacefully and genuinely care for one other.

Relationships are integral to establishing connections within our community at the St Catherine’s Early Learning Centre.

To extend upon the children’s social interactions, they have been invited to participate in the newly introduced experience of ‘Friendly Wednesday’. Each week, before playing outdoors, the children are invited to pair with a child they do not regularly play with. They then share in a myriad of outdoor activities with their partner.

“It is okay to play with other people on ‘Friendly Wednesday’. We love everybody. We are all friendly in the Waratah Room.” – Sunday.

The ‘Friendly Wednesday’ initiative encourages children in the Waratah Room to establish a relationship with a child that they do not normally play with.

In this way, the children are learning to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect. They are also developing a stronger sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active participation within their community of Waratah Room learners.