Nina Marni beautiful little learners and their wonderful families. Welcome to our school holidays blog.
we believe in nurturing curiosity, respect, and a strong sense of belonging from the very beginning. NAIDOC Week (6–13 July 2025) is such an important part of our calendar. NAIDOC Week is a special time each year when all Australians are encouraged to learn about, celebrate, and connect with the culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples — the First Peoples of this land.
Learning Intention: 1
To facilitate culturally responsive learning experiences that celebrate NAIDOC Week, deepen Childrens’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions, and foster respectful relationships with Country, community, and culture.
Celebrating NAIDOC week 6th July to 13th July (week 1)
Why:
- Cultural celebration: It acknowledges and celebrates the oldest continuing cultures on Earth.
- Education and awareness: It helps all Australians learn about Indigenous history, languages, traditions, and contributions to the country.
- Respect and reconciliation: It promotes respect, understanding, and progress toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
- Recognition of achievements: It highlights the achievements and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.
It’s a celebration of strength, identity, and culture — and a wonderful opportunity for our little learners to begin to understand the beauty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in ways that are meaningful to them.
At this age, children are naturally open, curious, and full of questions — which makes this the perfect time to gently introduce them to the richness of First Nations cultures. NAIDOC Week helps us lay the foundations for understanding, respect, and pride — not just for a week, but for life.
We’re proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week with our little learners and look forward to sharing their creations and discoveries with all of your wonderful families.
As we begin our NAIDOC Week celebrations, what better way to honour and connect with Aboriginal culture than by preparing a warm, golden loaf of traditional damper.
Damper, a simple yet iconic bush bread, holds deep cultural significance. Originally made by First Nations people using native seeds and grains, it became a staple for those travelling across Country. Today, we prepare damper as a symbol of respect, resilience, and community.
As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, the children explored culture through creativity with a vibrant pasta beading activity. Using the colours of the Aboriginal flag — black, red, and yellow — they carefully threaded beads to make necklaces, bracelets, and decorative patterns.
As part of our NAIDOC Week learning, our little learners gathered for a meaningful group time focused on the celebration and acknowledgment of Country and culture.
Continuing our NAIDOC Week celebrations, the children enjoyed a hands-on art experience painting wooden boomerangs using traditional Indigenous colours and patterns.
This creative activity encouraged children to explore the cultural significance of the boomerang — not only as a traditional tool but also as a symbol of Aboriginal heritage and storytelling. Using red, yellow, black, and earthy tones, each child expressed their learning through unique designs, inspired by what they’ve discovered about Aboriginal art and culture.
As part of our continued NAIDOC Week celebrations, the children engaged in more crafting and painting activities, using the colours of the Aboriginal flag — black, red, and yellow.
Through these creative experiences, we explored the meaning behind each colour: black represents the Aboriginal people, red symbolises the earth and spiritual connection to Country, and yellow stands for the sun, the giver of life.
To conclude our week of rich cultural learning and creativity for NAIDOC Week, the children brought the Dreaming story of the Rainbow Serpent to life through vibrant, collaborative artwork.
To bring our NAIDOC Week celebrations to a meaningful close, we gathered for a joyful session of Aboriginal music and rhythm using clapping sticks. The children listened, moved, and joined in as they explored the sounds and stories carried through traditional music.
Clapping sticks, an important cultural instrument, helped the children connect to the beat of Aboriginal song-lines — a powerful reminder of the deep-rooted storytelling traditions that pass knowledge from one generation to the next.
As part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, we gathered in a yarning circle to share and listen to Dreamtime stories — a vital part of Aboriginal culture and storytelling tradition.
The yarning circle created a space of respect, listening, and connection, where each child had the opportunity to engage with the stories that have been passed down through generations. Through these stories, the children learned about creation, the land, and the values embedded in Aboriginal ways of knowing and being.
Learning Intention 2 :
Provide opportunities for the children to further develop their Gross and fine motor skills during play experiences (week 2 )
Why: Fine and gross Motor skills help children to navigate the world with confidence.
Children become more confident with a skill, gradually make the task smore difficult
Engage children in active activities every session where and when possible
Building Strong Bodies and Confident Movers: Supporting Gross and Fine Motor Skills Through Play
We understand and know that play is more than just fun — it’s also essential for healthy development. One of the most important areas we support through play is physical development, especially the growth of gross and fine motor skills in our 3- and 4-year-old learners.
These physical skills are the building blocks for confidence, coordination, independence, and school readiness.
Strong motor skills lay the foundation for many important tasks. Children who develop confidence in their physical abilities are more willing to try new things, participate in group activities, and take healthy risks in their learning. Fine motor development is especially important as children prepare for writing, self-care tasks, and classroom routines.
The children took part in community walks around the shared spaces of the Holy Family Catholic School — visiting the MUDLA , the log park, and the fresh produce garden. These walks provided meaningful opportunities to connect with nature, explore the land, and reflect on the importance of caring for Country. Each space offered a different lens for learning — from sustainable practices in the garden to sensory exploration in the natural play areas.
This week, our children engaged in a variety of construction play using trucks, tubes, blocks, and LEGO — combining creativity with purposeful learning.
These activities support both gross and fine motor development, as children lifted, stacked, connected, and maneuvered materials of different sizes and textures. From coordinating large muscle movements with trucks and blocks to refining fine motor skills with intricate LEGO pieces, each construction task offered valuable hands-on learning.
During our community walks around the school grounds, the children had the delightful opportunity to pick fresh oranges straight from the trees in the yard. This hands-on experience connected them to nature and the source of their food in a meaningful way.
The freshly picked oranges were then shared with our Chef Angela, who prepared them for the children to enjoy — turning their harvest into a healthy, tasty treat.
We were delighted to welcome a very special guest during our School holiday week — Noah’s mum brought in their beloved puppies for a visit! The children loved the chance to gently pet and care for the puppies, experiencing firsthand the joy and responsibility of interacting with God’s living beings.. This visit fostered empathy, kindness, and nurturing skills, while adding a wonderful sense of excitement and connection to our day. Thank you to Noah and his family for sharing their furry friends with us — a memorable experience that brought smiles all around!
This week, children and teachers alike embraced comfort and fun by coming to school dressed in their pyjamas! Pyjama Day was a wonderful opportunity to create a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, encouraging everyone to feel at ease and foster a sense of community.
During the school holidays this week, the children delighted in a charming teddy bear picnic. Each child brought along their favourite teddy bear, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for shared play and friendship. The picnic provided a wonderful opportunity for imaginative play, social interaction, and outdoor enjoyment, all while fostering a sense of belonging and community.
As our vibrant school holiday weeks come to a close, we pause to celebrate the little “specks of gold” — those special moments of joy, learning, and connection that made this time truly memorable. From creative crafts and playful adventures to new friendships and shared stories, these highlights shine brightly in our hearts. We look forward to carrying this positive energy into the coming term, inspired by the magic found in every day.
As our school holiday weeks come to an end, we warmly say goodbye to our preschool children who are moving on to their reception classes at school. This transition is an exciting milestone, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with growth, learning, and new friendships. We are incredibly proud of each child’s achievements and the journey they have taken with us. Though we will miss their daily smiles and curiosity, we are confident they are ready to embrace all the wonderful opportunities ahead.
We thank the children, and their wonderful families, for their enthusiasm and participation, and look forward to welcoming everyone back in term 3 filled with continued curiosity and discovery.
Ngaityalya