The past few weeks in the ELC have been rich with meaningful learning, celebration and connection. From exploring our school’s proud heritage to engaging in National Reconciliation Week, the girls have embraced opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their community and the world around them.
Both the Annie and Mamie House girls celebrated Founder’s Day by learning about the remarkable Brown sisters, after whom our early learning spaces are named. These stories are powerful in helping the children connect past to present, and to begin to form a strong sense of identity as Mamie girls, ‘big Annie girls’ and, importantly, as Wildy girls.
In the Annie House, the girls also participated in a sustainability project with Miss Sarina, who is currently undertaking studies in early childhood leadership and advocacy. Together they have established a worm farm and a garden in the Parents and Friends Garden. This hands-on initiative has sparked ongoing conversations about care, responsibility and environmental stewardship. We look forward to continuing the watering together and, hopefully, enjoying the fruits of our hard work at lunchtime in the weeks to come. We are very thankful for Miss Sarina’s dedication to this project, as it has made a significant contribution to the girls’ learning.
Both houses acknowledged National Sorry Day and participated in learning experiences aligned with this year’s Reconciliation Week theme, Now More Than Ever. In the Annie House, the girls made clay ‘Care for Country’ pots with their buddies and learnt the song "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Kaurna language. These activities have supported the children in building knowledge of First Nations culture through respectful, joyful and developmentally appropriate learning.
In the Mamie House, the children listened to Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes and explored the meaning behind the Aboriginal flag. Each room created a collaborative artwork to serve as a meaningful and enduring reminder of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation. These works now sit proudly on display, anchoring a message that extends beyond one week and into the everyday rhythm of our learning community.
The Mamie girls also recently farewelled Miss Tommie as she begins her maternity leave. Her time with us was celebrated through the creation of a collaborative artwork, with each child contributing a unique petal to a shared piece that captures her lasting impact on our program. It is an incredibly impressive piece of art, and if you have not seen it, please visit the Mamie room where you will see it proudly displayed.
Finally, both Annie and Mamie girls were visited by author Louis Brennan, who shared his story Driver Camel’s Rainy Day. This experience sparked a wave of storytelling, inspiring the girls to create and share narratives of their own.
As always, the ELC remains a place of thoughtful exploration, purposeful learning and deep connection, where each child’s voice, creativity and sense of belonging are nurtured with intention and care.
Rebecca Williamson
Director of Early Years
