Early Learning Centre (ELC)

ELC meet native Australian animals and explore their habitats

Our Class Three Yellow Community has begun a new inquiry into animal habitats after the children showed a keen interest in the unique creatures that inhabit our outdoor environment. 

As part of our curriculum, we build learning experiences around children’s interests and wonderings, encouraging them to become confident and capable learners.

On Tuesday, 4 August, the children participated in an exciting incursion with Animals Anonymous, a company that provides hands-on wildlife experiences and promotes connections with the natural environment. This experience aligned with our commitment to helping children develop appreciation, wonder and care for God’s creation.

During the session, children met six native Australian animals, including:

• Tawny Frogmouth
• Carpet Python
• Yellow Snake
• Goanna
• Quokka
• Freshwater Baby Crocodile

Throughout the session, the instructor informed the children about each animal, breaking down their natural habitats, eating and sleeping habits, and how we, as people, can look after both the animals and ourselves with kindness and care. 

Each of the children showed individual levels of curiosity, bravery, and interest as they were offered the opportunity to touch the animals and hold the carpet python as part of the ELC team. 

These experiences encouraged the children to reflect on the Fruit of the Spirit as they demonstrated how they could show love, care, and gentleness to the native animals by gently stroking their backs and noticing the unique skin and fur textures God designed. 

Just like people, we reflected on the wonderful creation of the animals and how God created each one for a unique purpose on this earth. 

We had a busy week exploring the native animals we were introduced to as a class, along with their natural habitats. 

The children engaged in:

• meaningful story times
• imaginative role plays, and
• through intentional table-top provocations and brought the animals to life with figurines and play scenarios. 

Through intentional teaching experiences, we revisited photographs from the incursion, during which the children shared their knowledge and discoveries with one another, creating rich and meaningful discussion. 

Following our teaching, the children put on their 'creative hats' and crafted artistic replicas of their favourite native Australian animals from the incursion. 

Through our inquiry project, we are intentionally fostering children’s confidence as active and capable learners in their environment by valuing their contribution, voice and ideas. We also aim to strengthen children’s connection, contribution and love for their world, through the reminder that God has called us to care for the world he has given us. 

As a Class Three Yellow community, we thank you for partnering with us as we continue to nurture each child to feel known, valued and deeply connected to the world, as we grow together in faith, love and belonging in God’s family. 

Hannah Rimmer, Rita Ling, Geordie Flynn, Maddy Bell and Lydia Wong

Class Three Yellow Team

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity- Children feel safe, secure and supported- Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience and agency- Children develop knowledgeable, confident self-identities and a positive sense of self-worth- Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect

Outcome 2: Children are connected 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- Children respond to diversity with respect- Children become aware of fairness- Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners- Children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity - Children develop a range of learning and thinking skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating - Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another - Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Our inaugural Early Learning Centre Reynella Open Day

After many months of planning, set up and God's hand at work, we opened the doors to Reynella ELC's very first Open Day! 

We welcomed 122 people, representing 40 families, into our new ELC with enrolment interviews booked for new friends to join us in 2027. 

Set to the backdrop of student music performances and a beautiful winter's day, children enjoyed playing outside in the sand pit, on the playground and with activities set up by the wonderful ELC Staff. 

Our brand-new Reynella ELC staff were on deck to speak with families about the curriculum and answer their questions. 

Thanks to Lauren Hughes, Amanda Ruddock and her ELC team for their hard work in preparing for this day. 

We pray many families will be blessed by the new ELC at Reynella.

Emmaus Early Explorers 

Upcoming Sessions 

8:45am-10:15am in the Library

• Wednesday 26th August
• Wednesday 9th September
• Wednesday 23rd September

If you have a child aged three or younger, we warmly invite you to join us for play and connection at Emmaus Early Explorers. 

It’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and learn together while your little ones have a great time in safe surroundings. 

Emmaus Early Explorers is facilitated by our ELC Director, Mrs Lauren Hughes, and our College Chaplain, Mr Joel Overweel.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your family and friends.

For more information, please contact Kim Sabine at ksabine@emmauscc.sa.edu.au.