Catholic Early Learning and Care- Diocese of Cairns

To all the incredible mums and mother figures in our community, from the team at MacKillop CCELC Team Happy Mother’s Day 💐
What an Honor, What a joy, What a privilege it is to be their mums.❤️

Recently, the children at Mackillop OSHC worked thoughtfully on their ANZAC Day display, engaging in meaningful conversations about the significance of the day and why it is commemorated.

The centre is fortunate to have many proud families within its community with serving members or relatives who have been part of the military, which enriched these discussions and brought a deeper personal connection to the learning.

The children also took part in sensory activities using rosemary, alongside conversations about its connection to ANZAC Day. They explored the symbolism of poppies, further building their understanding of remembrance.

From the Mackillop OSHC community, respect is extended to all current and past serving members of the Australian military, honouring their courage, sacrifice, and dedication, and remembering those who have given so much for the country.

Catholic Early Learning and Care Redlynch recently commemorated Anzac Day with a meaningful celebration, beginning with a simple craft activity where children created their own poppies to wear to the ceremony at St Andrew’s. Each piece reflected great care and creativity, and there was a strong sense of pride as the children pinned on their poppies ahead of the outing.

With excitement building, the group prepared for their walk to “big school,” lining up with partners and following instructions carefully to ensure a safe arrival. They were warmly welcomed into the senior library by Ms Richard, where the children showed great respect, sitting quietly and listening attentively throughout the ceremony. It was a thoughtful and memorable experience for all involved.

We had such a great afternoon at the Cairns Churches 150 Years celebration, filled with fun, laughter, games and plenty of play.

It was so nice spending time with the children, joining in the games and sharing a few laughs together. A lovely way to connect with families and be part of such a special day.

We’ll be at Cairns Churches: Lighting Up the Darkness this Saturday at Fogarty Park, and we’d love to see you there.

Come by and say hello, have a chat with the team, and find out more about what we do in the community. There’s plenty happening across the afternoon and evening, with food vans, stalls, live music and fireworks to finish.

Fogarty Park, Cairns Esplanade
Saturday 18 April
2pm to 9pm

The Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc. visited Catholic Early Learning & Community Kindy Redlynch this week for a special incursion, an extension on our Programs from the Children’s Interest. CADCAI is a culturally diverse organisation that celebrate the stories, traditions, and creativity of their heritage.

Children explored culture through storytelling and movement, then got up close with the lion costume, trying it on and joining in the dancing.
A fun, hands-on experience that sparked curiosity and connection.

Our Mackillop Kindy children have been exploring the wonderful world of gardening.
The children have been developing their understanding of responsibility, sustainability, and caring for the environment as they plant and care for their very own garden.
We have been busy planting broccoli, cucumber, and lettuce, and also beautiful flowers to attract bees, helping us learn about the important role pollinators play in nature.
Through hands-on experiences, the children are learning how to care for living things, understand where food comes from, and develop a sense of respect for the environment around them.
It has been wonderful to see their excitement, curiosity, and teamwork as they water, plant, and nurture our growing garden.

There was plenty of hopping, laughter and colour as MacKillop Catholic Early Learning and Care held its very first Easter Bonnet Parade
Our little bunnies followed the trail of Easter footprints, proudly parading their handmade bonnets, each one bursting with creativity, colour and personality. From floppy ears to bright patterns, every hat told its own story.
A joyful way to celebrate the season and make special memories together. We think this might just become an egg-stra special tradition 🐣

Let hope blossom today.
Wishing you all a joyful Easter filled with love, laughter and many blessings

🌏✨ Harmony Week Celebration ✨🌏
At MacKillop Early Learning and Care, we proudly celebrated Harmony Week all week long, embracing diversity, inclusion, and the many cultures that make our community so special.
One of the highlights was our staff cultural food exchange 🍲💛 — a wonderful opportunity for our team to share dishes that represent their heritage and traditions. From sweet treats to savoury favourites, it was a delicious way to learn more about one another and celebrate the richness of our diverse backgrounds.
Thank you to all our amazing staff for participating and making this week so meaningful. Together, we continue to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone 🌈