Early Learning Centre

Preschool Iwiri Art Excursion 

As Educators, we continue to grow our knowledge of kinship systems and cultural connections in our local community, so we can build engaging reciprocal relationships between our ELC and community. Our journey of connection began with Mr Neil Blenkinsop from our Senior School during Term 2, when we partnered with his fundraising endeavor for the development of the Pitjantjatjara Children’s Art Bible through our ELC Wheels Week. 

As a community of learners, we have continued to learn and grow in our knowledge and understanding about Indigenous culture. Recently in Preschool, we have been experimenting with different mediums and exploring using symbols and sharing messages through mark-making and other creative expressions. In collaboration with Mr Blenkinsop, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to extend children’s interest and growing knowledge of this through the wonderful partnership our College have with Iwiri Art Studio. Iwiri strengthens the Aṉangu community through providing social support programs, cultural and arts activities and employment opportunities. Mr Neil Blenkinsop from our Senior School and two Year 12 students, Trinity and Emilie initiated this cross campus collaborative learning opportunity.

We took an exciting bus ride from Preschool to Iwiri, and arrived to notice many colourful paintings on the outside walls. Our class were met by Peta and she shared with us about Iwiri and that many of the artists move between areas of the North West corner of South Australia, and Adelaide. Our class were fortunate to meet three artists that shared with us about the art they were working on and the story and message being communicated through their art.

Peta shared with us the significance of the use of symbols in Aboriginal art and the way stories are conveyed through art. It then became our turn to be artists. Children were encouraged to look closely at the shape and the form of different symbols. Using the medium of paint, each canvas was transformed into a platform of creative expression. Symbols were used to create imaginative stories as children communicated their own messages to share, each canvas created unique to the artist. We look forward to displaying these works of art in a collaborative centre art instillation to share with our community. 

We as a wider ELC staff team have a commitment to cultural responsiveness, making a genuine commitment to take action to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in all aspects of our curriculum. 

Ngaitalya (my respect),

Mrs Lisa Bennett, Mrs Amanda Ruddock, Mrs Shin Yie Chew, Mr Patrick Raw

The Preschool Team