Malin Friends Nursery & Kindergarten

National Reconciliation Week Recap at MF

This past week at MF, the children engaged in a range of meaningful experiences to celebrate and learn about National Reconciliation Week. Through stories, discussions, art, music, and cultural activities, the children explored the importance of respecting and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and histories.

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Our Nursery 2 children have been busy exploring, creating, and learning through a variety of meaningful experiences 🌿☀️

The children have enjoyed engaging in activities tailored to their individual developmental needs, including gross motor and fine motor experiences, sensory play, and outdoor exploration in the sunshine.

We’ve also shared many special moments reading books together 📚, singing songs 🎶, and exploring rhythm and sound through musical instruments 🥁🎵. These experiences support communication, creativity, confidence, and social connections while making learning fun and engaging for every child.

We love watching each child learn, grow, and thrive through play-based experiences every day 💛

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🌿🦘 Little Wombats Indigenous Incursion 🦘🌿

Our Kindergarten children enjoyed a very special cultural incursion with Little Wombats, where they explored Australian animals, Indigenous language, music, and storytelling.

The children learnt about kookaburras, emus, cockatoos, magpies and more, while moving their bodies like animals during a fun freeze game! 🐦✨

Some of the children shared what they learnt from the story:
🗣️ “They fly!”
🗣️ “Rainbow lorikeet!”
🗣️ “Babies hatch from eggs!”
🗣️ “But they have wings!”

The room filled with excitement as Cameron played the didgeridoo, with many children stopping to listen carefully to the sounds and vibrations. 🎶

This meaningful experience supported the children’s growing understanding of culture, language, music, movement, and connection to Country through hands-on learning experiences. ❤️💛🖤

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🧡 Today is WOW — Wear Orange Wednesday! 🧡

This Friday, our children will be celebrating and learning about the incredible work of the SES Victoria and the important role they play in supporting our community. From storm and flood assistance to road rescue and emergency support, SES volunteers work tirelessly to help keep Victorians safe. 🚨👏

Children are encouraged to wear orange on Friday, 22 May, to show their support and appreciation for our local SES heroes! 🧡

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🌿 We are so lucky to have our own natural play spaces and a beautiful local park within walking distance of our centre for our children to explore through the Green Connections Program. 🍃✨

Spending time in natural environments gives children the opportunity to connect with nature, build confidence, develop curiosity, and engage in active outdoor learning. From observing plants and wildlife to enjoying fresh air and open spaces, every visit encourages exploration, creativity, and wellbeing. 🌱💚

These experiences help children develop a deeper appreciation for the environment while creating meaningful connections with the world around them. We love being able to provide opportunities for our children to learn, play, and grow in nature every day. 🌏☀️

Celebrating the incredible mums, grandmothers, carers, and special women in our Malin Friends community 💐✨

Last week’s Mother’s Day celebration was filled with laughter, connection, beautiful memories, and so much love. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special. 💖

Here’s to the women who inspire, nurture, support, and brighten our lives every day. 🌷

Thursdays in kindergarten are full of rhythm, joy, and creativity 🎶🥁

Our little learners dive into the Musical Minds program, where they explore music through drumming, dancing, and movement. From feeling the beat to expressing themselves freely, every moment is filled with energy, laughter, and discovery.

It’s amazing to see their confidence grow as they connect with music—and each other—in such a fun and meaningful way.

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Our Kindergarten and Pre-Prep explorers had an unforgettable day with Seaweed Sally’s ocean incursion 🐚🌊

Through hands-on learning, the children discovered the wonders of marine life by exploring preserved specimens, getting up close with fascinating creatures in the touch tank, and diving into lively music all about sea creatures 🎶🐠

Incursions like these bring learning to life—sparking curiosity, building confidence, and creating meaningful connections to the world around us. There’s nothing quite like seeing little faces light up as they touch, feel, and experience something new! 💙✨

There’s something very special about sharing stories that carry meaning.

We have been busy this week writing a little story about our ANZAC bear who is displayed in the foyer, named Collin.

“Colin the ANZAC Bear” was written with our little learners in mind,a gentle way to introduce the spirit of ANZAC Day through friendship, bravery, and kindness. Through Colin’s journey, we explore courage, caring for others, and remembering those who came before us in ways that feel safe and meaningful for young children.

We’ve used the photos we have taken to help bridge children’s understanding and connection to these ideas, bringing the story to life in their own experiences.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend

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Lest we forget ❤️