On Thursday 29 May 2025, the Grevillea classroom in our Early Learning Centre welcomed a few special visitors – some small and furry, others big, scaly or covered in feathers! This exciting wildlife incursion coincided with Reconciliation Week, offering children a unique opportunity to connect with Australia’s incredible native animals, deepen their understanding of biodiversity and explore how we can all become stewards of the environment.
The children were excited to take part in this hands-on, sensory experience – seeing, listening to and even touching, a variety of native species. Grady from Wildlife Xposure guided the session, sharing valuable knowledge about how to care for our native animals by keeping our environment clean – protecting the land, trees and waterways they depend on.
Grevillea Educator, Michelle McDonald, highlighted how this is an important aspect of our rigorous approach to early childhood education, sharing:
This experience beautifully reflected the Early Years Learning Framework, which highlights the vital connection between people, animals, plants and the land. It also aligned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives of caring for Country and being respectful, responsible caretakers of the world we share.
The children showed incredible listening skills, courage, respect, care, and empathy for the animals. Most importantly, they stepped outside their comfort zones and embraced the moment by BEING BRAVE – a wonderful reminder of the learning, growth and connection that can happen when we engage meaningfully with nature and each other.
