Students at Gippsland Grammar’s Bairnsdale Early Learning Centre (ELC) have been busy getting their hands dirty as they learn what it means to care for the natural environment.
Sustainability was a key focus for the kindergarten students in term three, with children in both the reception (three-year-old kindergarten) and transition (four-year-old kindergarten) programs engaging in hands-on projects designed to spark curiosity and build lifelong environmental awareness.
Reception students were involved in elements of the Kitchen Garden Program, establishing a worm farm and continuing effective composting practices.
Transition students designed and built a new garden space, which reflects local Indigenous plants and culture, allowing them to connect sustainability with place-based learning.
The children’s learning was extended through an engaging recycling incursion facilitated by the East Gippsland Shire Council.
Students participated in a recycling ‘homework’ task with their families, bringing recyclable materials back to the ELC to contribute to a real recycling bin.
The incursion culminated in a visit from a recycling truck, where the children excitedly met Reggie the Recycling Bin and watched their collected recyclables emptied into the truck.
ELC director Lisa Burgess said the program provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
“Our ELC programs are designed to nurture curiosity and provide meaningful, real-world experiences,” Ms Burgess said.
“Sustainability is something even our youngest learners can understand and contribute to, and these projects empower them to see the difference they can make.”
Gippsland Grammar’s Early Learning Centres provide a play-based learning environment that encourages exploration, creativity and connection to community.
There are limited three-year-old ELC enrolment positions for 2026 at the Bairnsdale and Sale campuses.
Interested families are invited to attend the Bairnsdale Campus tour on Thursday, October 30 from 9-11am.
This tour will be hosted by Gippsland Grammar’s new principal Dr Paul Walton alongside Head of Bairnsdale Campus Virginia Evans and will include the campus’s ELC.
Register for the campus tour via the Gippsland Grammar website.
Interested families can also contact head of admissions Jade Willox via email.
