Astra Early Learning Narre Warren South

Today we came together to make damper as part of National Reconciliation Week.

Through shared experiences, storytelling and traditional cooking, children had the opportunity to learn about and celebrate Aboriginal culture and connection to Country. Moments like these help build respect, understanding and meaningful connections within our community.

We are proud to continue walking together on the journey of reconciliation.
Thank you to our parent volunteers, for making this event so much fun!

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And off we go to attend the National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) 2026 at Bunjil Place.

At 12:00pm AEST, over 2 million participants across Australia came together to share the story Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam Wallace and Adrian Beck, illustrated by James Hart.

It was wonderful to see children and educators engaging in literacy, imagination and a shared love of storytelling together. Thank you to everyone involved in creating such a fun and meaningful experience for our community 💛

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Rashmi and Andrea had a wonderful evening attending the community celebration at Bunjil Place Plaza.

The night was filled with culture, connection and learning, featuring a powerful Yidaki performance from Living Cultures and Uncle Lionel Lauch, along with an incredible dance performance and interactive learning session by Djarlo Dance.

There were so many engaging activities and interactive stalls that brought the community together in a meaningful way. Thank you to everyone involved in creating such a vibrant and memorable evening celebrating culture, storytelling and connection.

On National Sorry Day, we took time to proudly come together in support, reflection and learning as we acknowledged the importance of healing and reconciliation.

One of our team members attended the Casey Aboriginal Gathering Place in Doveton, where the morning provided an opportunity to come together in reflection, connection and meaningful conversations that deepened our respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.

We remain committed to creating inclusive spaces where culture, connection and understanding are valued every day. 🖤💛❤️

Today is National Sorry Day.

A day to acknowledge the strength and resilience of the Stolen Generations, and to reflect on the lasting impact of past government policies that caused profound grief, loss and trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

National Sorry Day is an important opportunity for all Australians to listen, learn and continue the journey of truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.

The Kimberley Native Violet, the official symbol of National Sorry Day, represents the resilience and survival of the Stolen Generations.

As we approach National Reconciliation Week, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect, acknowledge the past and commit to building a stronger future together.

In our team meeting, we focused on professional development and reflected on our practices as educators. We explored the Educators’ Blueprint, sharing insights and discussing how it connects to our knowledge and daily practice. We also held a meaningful yarning circle, where each educator shared a memorable moment from their journey working in this field.

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At Astra Early Learning we welcomed residents from Casey Manor Aged Care 🌱💚

It was so special to see different generations connecting through planting, conversation, laughter, and shared learning. Experiences like these help children build kindness, confidence, and a strong sense of community while creating meaningful moments for everyone involved.

Thank you to the residents from Casey Manor for spending time with us — we loved sharing this experience together 🌼

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Our School Readiness Funding Meet & Greet with our Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist was a wonderful success!

It was lovely to see families engaged in meaningful conversations and getting answers to questions related to their child’s development and wellbeing. At Astra Early Learning, we value collaborating with allied health professionals to support families and ensure children receive the best possible guidance for their learning and growth.

Exploring movement, colour, and connection through collaborative mark-making 🎨

Using paint and rolling vehicles, the children investigated cause and effect, spatial awareness, creativity, and shared problem-solving. Experiences like these reflect our commitment to inquiry-based learning, where children express ideas, test theories, and learn through meaningful exploration.

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Mother’s Day / Special Persons Day Celebration 🌸

At Astra, we were delighted to welcome our families for a beautiful afternoon celebrating the incredible mums, and special people in our community 💖

We were honoured to host special guests from St. Kevin’s Primary School — Principal Jason Micallef, Vice Principal Andrew Butler, and Prep Level Leader Donna Petkovic — who shared valuable insights about school readiness and supporting children through their transition to school ✨

It was a wonderful opportunity for families to connect, learn, and celebrate together over meaningful conversations and afternoon tea ☕🍰

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day so special. We loved seeing our Astra community come together to celebrate the important people in our children’s lives 💐