GEKA Carnegie

Connection to Land through Bush Kindergarten

GEKA Carnegie Educators

We would like to acknowledge the first peoples as the traditional owners of the land.  We have been fortunate to have the support of the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG) and we value the guidance and visits from our Koori Engagement and Support Officers John Murray and Richard Penrith.   

Works on a quarter acre bush landscape with 1000 new plants have been now completed after two years of planning and implementation.  The children at GEKA Carnegie Kindergarten now have permanent access to the natural world through a ‘Busk Kinder’ landscape, which has greatly increased their connection to the land and brought the community together to protect and nurture this space. 

The effect on a once dry and empty landscape, is incredible.  Children at the kindergarten have noticed the improvements, as evident through conversations we had while some of us were having a discussion on the characteristics of a “barren” landscape and a “lush” landscape.  Children understood that the biggest threat to the new space is a lack of maintenance/ care and risk averse adults who only see the possible dangers and not the benefits.  Children have committed to using the space safely and being a role model for future children who will be caretakers of our community spaces.  This is possible due to over half our children being enrolled at Carnegie Primary School every year (in which the grounds are co located) so children will transition with a foundation knowledge in nurturing and caring for this space that they can proudly share with new peers of all ages. 

Children noticed

Rosie- “Animals are coming in.”

Justin- “I see leaves.”

Kashmere- “We have rocks.”

Su- “Moss grows on the rocks.”

Eva- “We have new plants.”

Michelle- “There is a creek with rocks and water.” 

Children reflected

Katya- “There needs to water…

Rosie-  …or the plants will die.”

Freddie- “The trees keep us dry in wet and windy weather.”

Khushi- “If someone doesn’t have a home, they can sleep in our trees.. (koalas, spiders, birds and monkeys.)

Athan- “The creek keeps the animals nice and healthy and they will never be dead.”

Eva- “Bees will spread out fruit.”

Children will care for the space and themselves in it

Lucas- “I like walking on the big rocks.  We can look after the bush by not throwing rocks.”

George- “My favourite thing is sticks, we need to be careful with them.”

Su- “The drain is covered by a big rock so no one can throw things and block the tap”

Toby “A pump fills the creek and we wouldn’t drink that water because it is dirty.

Freddie “We will look after the baby plants so that birds and possums will come.”

Photo Gallery

A reflection by Carnegie Primary School Principal, Linda Jones

“Pictured are some of the children from GEKA Carnegie Kindergarten enjoying the recently enhanced bush landscape area at the rear of our grounds, parallel to our new oval. It has been rewarding seeing this taking shape and we look forward to watching the trees and shrubs establish themselves over the coming months.

Thank you to the Glen Eira Kindergarten Association (GEKA) for funding and leading this project. I look forward to working together to care for this area and gaining much enjoyment from this greatly enhanced outside space. I anticipate our students sharing this space with the kindergarten children and with our teachers during class times, as organised.”