Learning Programs
Hatch & Grow
Hatch & Grow is an annual that occurs around easter, we get 10 unhatched duck eggs from a farm who is connected to the 'Hatch & Grow' program and we keep and learn from them for two weeks.
Over the first three days the children watch as the ducks crack free of their eggs and hatch in their special heating chamber.
The rest of the weeks are spent discussing with the children about how fast the ducks grow, what they should be named, and what will happen once they leave.
They love learning how to hold a duck and the feeling of their soft feathers.
All of the children love watching the little ducks grow so much over the nights and the weekend.
And they love watching them come back every year!
Culturally Inclusive Learning
Wunthewu (Aboriginal), Kia Ora (Maori), Gia Sou (Greece), Halo (Indonesia), Hej! (Sweden), Dia Duit (Ireland), Olá (Portugal), Ciao (Italy), ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh (Russia), Hola (Argentina), Ni Hao (Mandarin), Salaam Alaikum (Afganistan) and Hello (English)
With our ever growing connections we at Mary Campbell Preschool believe in widening our children's worlds with learning about some of the other countries members of our staff and community are from.
In recognition of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members we imbed an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective into our teaching practices. We also start every day, in every class by saying the "Acknowledgment to country" with all of the children.
We work on connecting with members of the community such as Ryka Ali who comes is each year to teach us all about some songs, dances, and stories of his land. And we have developed a Reconciliation action plan that is currently being published through the “Narragunnawali Reconciliation in action.”
With the help of some of our friends we have been able to learn first hand about what its like to live in new and exciting places like Sweden or Indonesia.
Every year at Greek Easter some of our Yaya's (Greek grandmothers) come and help us all cook some Koulourakia (Greek easter biscuits) and teach us a little about some Greek Easter traditions such as the egg painting.
As well as incorporating other cultures such as Portuguese with the help of our staff member Fatima, Irish assisted by our lovely Sinead, and a Chinese New Year celebration every year, we are always working to incorporate more of our world in our learning.
Wildlife Man
Every year we have a 'WildLife Man' come and show off some of his exciting animals!
Bringing many animals such as green tree frogs, short neck turtles, lizards and even a snake to bring out the wild in all of us.
Everyone watches with amazement and has the opportunity to get up close and personal.
With new found confidence and some interesting animal friends we look forward to our 'Wild Life Man' coming back again in the many years to come.
Growing Our Garden
Here at Mary Campbell Preschool we believe in getting down and dirty when it comes to our gardens.
With one large garden upstairs growing tomato's, cucumbers, passionfruit and many other fruits and vegetables we try and supply for both our own staff and kids morning tea's.
Downstairs we have many pots and tires full of beautiful green plants and colourful flowers which, with the help of our main gardener Jill and all the kids, we are always continuing to grow.
Community Involvement & Learning From Our Parents
All of our parents are from all works of life, working in different and amazing jobs, and we love to show them at preschool.
One of our amazing dads is an ambulance driver and brought the ambulance into school to show the kids how it works. He read them a book on all of the emergency services and let them all upstairs and into the van to see what he does each and every day.
Another one of our amazing dad's is John Sutton the Rabbitohs player. Coming into kindy one day and running a 'littlies' football camp for our energy filled little footballers.
Every year brings new parents with new vocations that the kids are always excited to learn from.
The Regular Daily Routine
At Mary Campbell Preschool we run our play around the children.
Our structure is easy and flexible, the focus of each week depends on what the children are interested in, it can and will range from cooking, to babies, to birds, what ever the children are interested in our preschool will accomodate it into a learning program.