Our early learning programs are supplemented by opportunities for the children to participate in incursions and excursions as a way of connecting with community. Throughout the year a selection of experiences are planned both within the ELC and out in the wider community. There are times when we invite an expert to come in to the centre to implement a workshop with the children where they share their knowledge or resources. There are also times when the children venture outside of the ELC on an excursion to engage in rich, hands-on learning in the wider community. All of these opportunities are carefully designed to connect with and support the children’s current learning and inquiries.

This week we welcomed Indigenous Educator, Emmy Webbers, from ‘Wurruck Yambo’ to the Early Learning Centre to share her indigenous language, culture and history with the children. Emmy introduced the children to the culture and history of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people by sharing the stories ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Respect’. The children participated in an acknowledgement of country, and observed and discussed a selection of Indigenous artefacts including a possum skin, yidaki (didgeridoo), coolamon (carrying vessel), boomerang, clapping sticks, emu feather costume pieces, and a message stick. Emmy told stories of the cultural significance of each artefact. To conclude the session, the children created leaves which they added to a ‘kinship’ tree.

Learning about Aboriginal culture and history will continue in the children’s classrooms as they re-visit and extend upon the conversations and experiences from today’s incursion.

Such experiences provide incredibly rich opportunities to extend the children’s learning, connect with experts and engage with the local community. They expose the children to a range of new and different experiences and help them to make sense of the world in which they live.

—

Out of School Hours Care

St Catherine’s School offers an Out of School Hours Care program to all ELC and Junior School families. The program is implemented by our provider ‘After the Bell’, and operates within the ELC building. Parents are reminded that if you need to use the Before School Care or After School Care service, registrations need to be made in advance with ‘After the Bell’. Please allow up to five business days for your registration to be processed before your child can begin attending the program. Registration is free. All families are encouraged to register so that you can use this service in the event that you are unable to pick up your child.

Before School Care – 7.00am to 8.45am

After School Care – 3.00pm to 6.00pm

Registrations can be completed via the ‘After the Bell’ website.

Please phone 9758 6744 for all enquiries.