Glen Education Sacred Heart
Cultural Responsiveness
By the Glen Sacred Heart Educational Team
At Glen Sacred Heart Kindergarten, we are committed to fostering a culturally responsive environment that honours the diversity of our children, families, and community. This term, our program has reflected this commitment through professional development, inclusive learning practices, emotional literacy, community connections, and celebrations of cultural identity.
Ongoing Professional Development
Our team has been actively engaging in ongoing professional development to strengthen our culturally responsive practices. This term, educators participated in The Pyramid Model - a framework that supports inclusive and emotionally supportive environments. Through this, we are developing strategies that reflect the linguistic, cultural, and developmental backgrounds of each child.
Our flexible and responsive program accommodates different learning styles, ensuring every child feels valued and understood. We recognise that children’s learning is deeply influenced by their cultural identity, and we aim to honour that in every interaction.
Promoting Emotional Literacy
This term, we introduced "The Colour Monster" into our curriculum. This story helps children understand emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and calm - each represented by a different color. As children help the Colour Monster sort his emotions, they learn to label and manage their own feelings and understand how emotions influence behaviour.
We also introduced a “feelings check-in board,” where children place their photo next to the color representing their current emotional state. This visual support encourages emotional expression, even for children who are still developing verbal communication. Educators are then better able to support children’s wellbeing and guide group discussions around empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
Activities such as the 3B’s (Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Respectful) and problem-solving scenarios further encourage fairness, emotional intelligence, and confidence.
Embedding Culture Through Play and Environment
Our "garden to plate" project continues to be a highlight of the term. In Stage 1, we replanted herbs and vegetables, offering hands-on opportunities for children to develop critical thinking, environmental responsibility, and a deeper connection with nature.
During Reconciliation Week, we engaged children in conversations and play experiences that explored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. Children listened to traditional stories, participated in arts and crafts, and played culturally inspired games. We invited local prep-aged children to join our sessions and share their knowledge, helping to strengthen intergenerational and community learning.
We ensure that our learning environments reflect the diversity of our families. This includes displaying children’s artwork, using books that represent many cultures, and incorporating multilingual materials. These inclusive touches build a sense of safety and belonging for every child.
Connecting with Families
Family involvement is a cornerstone of our culturally responsive approach. Throughout the term, we invited families to participate in cultural sharing events—bringing stories, traditional foods, and customs to life in the kindergarten. These rich experiences helped us understand each child’s background more deeply and strengthened home-kindergarten partnerships.
We also celebrated "An Important Person in Our Lives" with a joyful event where children painted plant pots as gifts and shared afternoon tea with their families. The children helped with setting up the table and food, showcasing their pride and participation. This event fostered appreciation and respect for diverse family structures and traditions.
Reflecting and Moving Forward
Throughout Term 2, we invited ongoing feedback from families about our cultural practices. This reflection allows us to adjust our curriculum and build stronger connections with the community. We are grateful to all the families who shared their voices, knowledge, and time with us this term.
Together, we continue to build a learning environment where every child’s culture, identity, and voice is respected and celebrated.