欧美AV

It has been a busy time at our 欧美AVs with the children celebrating Mother鈥檚 Day, taking Autumn walks and a variety of sustainability-based incursions and activities. The 欧美AV has had a long-standing commitment to ensuring that the children actively explore natural environments and resources, learn how to make choices that allow them to live more sustainability and they regularly participate in activities such as composting, rubbish-free lunches, recycling and gardening. In the lead up to Reconciliation Week, the Transition classes at both campuses are beginning to explore Indigenous perspectives in learning to care for country.

I have been enjoying touring prospective new families around both campuses. Families always comment on how calm and purposeful our learning environments are. Our fantastic team of educators and teachers ensure that every day is full of fun, intentional and experiential learning.

St Anne鈥檚 Yellow Cygnets (Reception) by teacher Tammy Lopardi
Last week, we took an Autumn Walk to admire the beautiful trees at St. Anne鈥檚 Campus. The children were encouraged to closely observe the seasonal environmental changes. They enjoyed collecting and examining the various coloured and shaped leaves, jumping into large leaf piles, and tossing them into the air. We loved exploring the leaves and using them in our art creations when we returned to the 欧美AV.

St Anne鈥檚 Green Cygnets (Reception) by teacher Katie Whitfield
Complementing our recent herb and vegetable gardening, the children have been enthusiastically learning about worms and worm farming. With a wonderful incursion from the Wellington Shire Sustainability Education Officer, the children closely investigated worms, learnt some fun facts on how to care for worms, including what they can and cannot eat, and how worms improve soil. They wound wool onto sticks - creating their very own worms and roller painted with brown and green paint resembling green grass and the worms tunnels underground. The children thoroughly enjoyed these learning experiences, and through their natural curiosity, have now become quite the worm experts.

St Anne鈥檚 White Swans (Transition) by teacher Candace Membrey
The White Swans have enjoyed their first excursion, joining their Year 5 buddies on a walk to the Port of Sale to explore the Borun and Tuk display, which represents the Gunai Kurnai creation story. The children have been enjoying learning about the culture and stories of the Guna Kurnai people in the lead up to Reconciliation Week. At the Port, the children looked at the shields of the five different clans. They then worked on their own designs for a shield during class.

St Anne鈥檚 Black Swans (Transition) by teacher Danielle Carpenter
The Transition children all enjoyed working with Wellington Shire's Sustainability Education Officer, Sharon Ray. The focus of our session was learning about the importance of growing your own food, especially veggies. Each child made their own newspaper pot (great for the environment) and planted some seeds or a seedling. The 欧美AV is in the process of purchasing their very own Vegepod so the children can grow their own produce to use in some cooking experiences.

Bairnsdale Joeys (Reception) by teacher Maddison Cuttriss
In 欧美AV 2, the Reception Joeys have implemented a composting system in our outdoor yard to turn food waste into nutrient-rich compost for our vegetable garden. In preparation, we discussed our plans for this process, what the compost would be used for, what we would need to do to maintain it, and how sustainable practices like this help us care for the environment. Each day, the Joeys have been collecting leaves, paper, and fruit and vegetable scraps for the compost and have enjoyed developing their fine-motor skills by cutting, ripping, and tearing these ingredients into small pieces for the worms. These experiences have been a hands-on way to inspire curiosity and a passion for sustainable practices.

Bairnsdale Roos (Transition) by teacher Sommer-Lea Collins
In the 欧美AV we recognise and celebrate Mother's Day to honour and appreciate the incredible role that our wonderful mothers play in our lives. In the Transition Roo group, we embraced this celebration by crafting personal gifts, a multi-stage creative art piece that represented them alongside their mothers, symbolising their deep bond. The children shared meaningful thoughts, memories and stories about their mothers as they created a gift made just for their special mum. On Friday, 9th May, the children attended the annual Mother's Day Breakfast and Fellowship with their mothers, grandmothers or special friends. Thank you to all who attended, we hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day and enjoyed your gifts made with love!

It is lovely to hear about the rich and diverse experiences the children are having. Just a reminder to check in regularly with your child鈥檚 class VOS page to find out more about the term and weekly educational program.