Early Learning

Possums

Many children in the Possum group have been taking great enjoyment in making and wrapping gifts for others! Michael, Spencer and Arlo started off our gift-giving spree when they worked together to make a present for Florence - a paper sword and a card! They put these in a box, then wrapped the box. Wrapping is quite a tricky fine motor task, as children hold the paper in place, tear off the tape, and position the tape so that it secures both sides. They are having lots of practice and getting very good at wrapping. 

Children are very good at giving and receiving gifts! This was highlighted when we learned about how Jesus washed his friends' feet, as part of our learning around Easter. We read in the bible that Peter initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet, but on learning the significance changed his mind (John 13:6-9). Children on the other hand had no qualms about having their feet washed, and happily accepted this act of service. We learned that washing feet was a job for someone who wasn't important at all, but that everyone is important to Jesus.

Beth Bennett

Head of Early Learning

Echidnas

The Echidna group are hosting the Year 9 students once a term. We kicked their first visit off last week with a one-hour music/drama lesson for the older students. Everyone frocked/hatted up (including the teachers!), and we taught them new songs like These Are My Glasses and Skinny Marinky along with old faves such as My Lighthouse and He Died Upon the Cross. 

We used props to teach them a funny rhyme about wearing a scarf as a hat, dress, glove and boot, and taught the bigger children how to count to five using a scarf as a beehive. Good news – the Year 9's all knew how to count to five, so we are thinking of challenging them up to ten next visit. The Year 9's also learned how to sign Old MacDonald Had a Farm in AUSLAN, and found out that we use the world’s longest giant scrunchies at Kinder for lots of singing and movement activities!

After teaching them all the new stuff, the Year 9's spent an hour outside playing with them all, including helping the Kinder children to retrieve a ball from the hedge, and pushing some children on the swing so high that we had to enlist the help of NASA to return them to Earth! For the next visit, the Year 9's will be setting the activities, and we can’t wait to join with them to see what fun and exciting things they have in store for us! Thanks Year 9's!

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! – Psalm 133:1

Watching the older students engage with our Kinder children - singing, signing, playing, and even problem-solving together - was a heartwarming reminder that community is at the heart of Christian fellowship. These moments of connection not only bring joy but also help shape character, instilling kindness, patience, and a sense of responsibility in both the young and the old.

Judi Missen

Early Learning Educator