Early Learning Centre

On this page: End of Year Celebration / Celebrating God’s Masterpiece: A Journey Through Cultures and Diversity 

Upcoming Events

For all calendar dates, please see the School Calendar.

End of Year Celebration 

The Early Learning Centre (ELC) celebrated the year with a heartwarming End-of-Year Celebration, bringing together over 300 family members and friends to celebrate the year of achievements. The event was a wonderful display of talent, joy, and community spirit as the children took the stage to perform for their loved ones.

The highlight of the day was the children's heartfelt performances, where they sang songs of praise and danced with enthusiasm. The Preschool children, in particular, received special recognition as they graduated to the next stage of their educational journey, marking a milestone in their young lives.

The atmosphere was one of warmth and support, as families cheered on their children, celebrating their hard work and growth throughout the year. The event was a beautiful display of our Emmaus community coming together to share the excitement of watching the children grow, learn, and thrive throughout the year.

A big thank you to all who joined us to make this celebration unforgettable. We look forward to more joyful moments in the year ahead!

Lauren Hughes

Director, Early Learning Centre 

Celebrating God’s Masterpiece: A Journey Through Cultures and Diversity 

At Class Three Blue, we have explored the richness of cultures and diversity through meaningful conversations and hands-on experiences. Inspired by our discussions about God’s creations, the children have embraced the idea that we are all His handmade works of art, each unique and special. Building on Galatians 3:28, which reminds us that we are all one in Christ Jesus, we delved into what makes us different yet beautifully united. 

Through these explorations, we were reminded of God’s creation of the world and all its people and creatures, as seen in Genesis 1:27 (NIV), which says, "So God created mankind in his own image." The children participated in many hands-on activities that stimulated their senses—smelling, touching, and tasting some of the natural scents of leaves and plants native to the Australian landscape. They also used some of these natural elements in cooking experiences and in making ice blocks to cool down on warm days. 

A highlight for our learners was observing and learning about silkworms and stick insects as part of God’s creation. Additionally, the children engaged with the beauty of their cultural heritage, exploring traditional clothing, music, and dance, such as sarees from India, Hanbok from Korea, and hip scarves used in Middle Eastern dancing, all reflecting the creativity and beauty of God's design. 

We incorporated numeracy by exploring currencies like rupees, pounds, and kyats, seeing how each reflects the uniqueness of its country. In literacy, we connected with the Kaurna language through interactive storytelling, music, and Acknowledgments of Country, recognising the importance of respecting and learning from Indigenous traditions. Our global journey also included mapping activities, discovering animals from different continents, and exploring vibrant flags, all pointing back to Psalm 24:1 (NIV): "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." 

As we shared meals like Indian curry and pizza from Italy, and discussed camping foods from England, the children grew in empathy and respect for others. By exploring these differences together in a safe and loving environment, we embraced God’s message of unity and diversity, marvelling at how wonderfully He created every person, culture, and tradition. 

At Emmaus, we feel truly blessed each day to be part of a community rich in diversity and culture, reflecting the beauty of God’s handiwork. We celebrate the unique backgrounds and stories of every child and their families, honouring and respecting each one as a precious creation of God. Together, we are reminded that through Him, we are united in love, learning, and fellowship, embracing the joy of His marvellous work in all of us. 

Early Years of Learning Framework:  

Learning Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity 

-Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect and

-display awareness of and respect for children’s diverse worlds, e.g. culture, family structure, capabilities and strengths. 

Learning Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world 

-Children develop a sense of connectedness to groups and communities and an understanding of their reciprocal rights and responsibilities as active and informed citizens, 

-identify themselves as being part of family and community groups, 

-begin to recognise there is a diversity of cultures, traditions and family structures, 

-begin to recognise that they have a right to belong and contribute to many communities, 

-children respond to diversity with respect and

-show interest in and explore the diversity of cultures, heritage, backgrounds, traditions and families.

Mrs Habib, Mrs K (Karina), Mrs Mathew and Miss Maddy 

Class Three Blue Educators, Early Learning Centre