REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL WOOLLAHRA NEWSLETTER Dee’s Message Dear Parents and Caregivers, Last week, our classes celebrated Harmony Week, a very special time of honouring the wonderful diversity in our country. As the Week’s slogan says. ‘Everyone belongs’. This has a wonderful synchronicity with the Early Years Learning Framework, which has ‘belonging’ as one of its three cornerstone features.
1 April 2022 other, so discussions about what might appear quite complex topics are actually relatively simple. This is especially so when we relate those discussions to how they feel when they are loved and made to feel special – and how they can do this for other people.
Our sense of belonging cannot be understated. As we see the tragic scenes of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and from other conflict zones across the globe, we can hardly begin to imagine how frightening it must be – and how their sense of belonging to a place, a community, a family, has been completely shattered.
Most societies across the world are now heterogenous and multicultural, and ours is no different. As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, one year group in the ELS has no fewer than thirteen different nationalities in that year group, each with its own unique cultural richness. All of these add to the melting pot of what makes us Australian – proud both of our national heritage but also of the richness of all its parts.
For this reason, it is all the more important that we start early in our conversations with the children about cultural diversity and inclusivity. Young children show a wonderful sensitivity and understanding towards each
Children are soon able to recognise similarities – and differences – in those they meet. What is important is that these interactions are seen as positive and affirming, and that all are made to feel that
REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL | WOOLLAHRA NEWSLETTER
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