ECMS’ approach to place-based teaching and learning, by its nature, feels different at each service. What does it mean in the day to day life of a service to take a place-based approach? At the Merrell Kindergarten, Nominated Supervisor Rebecca Waingold and her team see it as a way of being constantly aware and respectful of their surroundings, and encouraging their learners to share this awareness. They have a great garden at The Merrell and they consider place when they ask themselves “What are we planting? Why are we planting? What will the children learn from that? And how is it relevant to us here?”
Any conversation about surroundings must start with contemplation of whose Country we’re on. The team wanted to display some calendars featuring beautiful Aboriginal artworks at the service, but they wanted to go further than that. They found out who the artist was and emailed her to ask permission. The artist, Loretta Egan, appreciated their respectful approach and from there an ongoing relationship between Loretta and the service began. The service purchased one of her prints, Family Tree, and it’s displayed in the foyer with an acknowledgement of her consent and her photograph and bio. So the children know who Loretta is and that they are honoring her in seeking her permission to display her work.