GEKA Bentleigh East
Connecting and belonging to different communities.
Educators at GEKA Bentleigh East Kindergarten
As children develop and form relationships and begin to participate in different communities, they develop a strong sense of identity. The more positive the experience, the more interested they become in those relationships and more aware of the community around them. These communities can be their family, kindergarten environment and local communities. A positive experience also strengthens their interest and skill in becoming active contributors and participants in their world.
Being connected and belonging to different communities helps children to learn values, traditions and practices and influences the way they interact with others. When children begin to notice others that may be different from them or are being treated unfairly or are the victims of bias, children look to the adults around them to role model compassion and kindness.
Participating in fundraising for various causes, helps children and the wider community to show such compassion and kindness.
Over the years, the community at GEKA Bentleigh East Kindergarten have participated in lots of fundraising for various charities.
It began with the tragic 2009 bush fires. The kindergarten community donated clothing, household goods, toiletries and there was a particular emphasis in providing children with clothing, books, pencils, backpacks and toys.
Our local communities’ kindness has also extended to donating
- towels for the Salvation Army’s shower program for the homeless
- handbags filled with items for women for St Kilda Mums
- toys and books for the Smith Family Christmas appeal
- Raising money for 'Purple Day' for Maddie Riewoldt Vision. We were particularly proud of this fundraiser because as a whole GEKA community we raised $1000.00 in honour of a close family friend and a past GEKA person.
- STAND which is for the Salvation Army collection of funds for this year’s recent bush fire victims.
- Ongoing collection of bottle caps for Envision Hands and placing goods into our Diabetes bin
We are very fortunate to live in such a caring and kind community.
