A Community Built on Connection

One of the great privileges of leading our Early Learning Centre is the opportunity to journey alongside families and to witness the strength of the community we are building together. Recently, we invited feedback regarding proposed changes to our Payment of Fees Policy. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, perspectives, and experiences.

Across the feedback received, a consistent message emerged: our families value CCC ELC as a place that supports families and fosters genuine community. Many families shared their reasons for choosing our Early Learning Centre, and time and again, the themes of connection, belonging, and our family-centred approach were highlighted.

It was particularly heartening to hear families speak about the unique relationship between our ELC and College. Families expressed their appreciation for a shared vision across both campuses - a vision that seeks to support families, nurture children in all that Christ has created them to be, and provide excellence in education from the earliest years through to graduation.

As we carefully considered all feedback during the consultation process, we were reminded of the responsibility we carry to steward not only an educational service, but a community. Having listened to and valued the contributions of our families, we are pleased to share that we will be maintaining both our sibling discount and our College holidays discount.

This decision reflects our ongoing commitment to being a centre that values families, strengthens community, and remains accessible to those who entrust their children to our care each day. Thank you for partnering with us, for sharing your perspectives so openly, and for helping shape the future of our ELC. Together, we continue to build a community where children and families are known, supported, and encouraged to flourish. We are grateful for your trust and look forward to continuing this journey alongside you.

We hope you enjoy this fortnight's newsletter, brimming with helpful articles, exciting learning snapshots, and a couple important reminders of upcoming events. I am so excited by the incredible programs, rich with learning and connection, which are being born through CCC Early Learning! We are experiencing beautiful growth in our Centre, and we are grateful for God's provision, enabling, empowering and blessing upon all we seek to achieve in His name.

Our ELC Photo Fundraiser is booked for THIS SATURDAY 20th June. For just $30, your family can have a photoshoot with Bird + Bear. The beautiful CCC Nature Space provides a stunning backdrop for your family portraits. Bird + Bear's photography is beautiful, and we're so blessed to have this opportunity! To book a place for your family, please email [email protected]. To check out Bird + Bear's work, visit her social media pages. 1 place remaining, so do get in quick - you won't be disappointed!

Vacation Care will be available during Weeks 2 and 3 of the July school holidays, from 5 July to 18 July.

Please refer to the flyer for more information regarding programs, bookings, and activities.

We look forward to welcoming the children for a fun and engaging holiday program.

Items to Bring Every Day - ALL labelled with your child's name:

• Cot-sized sheet x2
• Hat
• Water bottle
• 3 sets of spare clothes and small towel (hand towel size)

Tuckshop can be ordered through the Flexischools app. Download the app and follow the prompts. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” - Galatians 5:22-23

These Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls are a quick, no-bake snack made with simple pantry ingredients. Naturally sweetened with dried apricots, they’re perfect for lunch boxes, afternoon tea, or a healthy grab-and-go treat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (190 g) soft dried apricots

• ⅔ cup (70 g) unsweetened desiccated coconut, plus extra for rolling

• ½ cup (50 g) almond meal

• 1 tablespoon white chia seeds

• 2 tablespoons (40 ml) maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1–2 tablespoons water (if needed)

Method

1. Place the dried apricots into a food processor and blend until finely chopped.

2. Add the coconut, almond meal, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, and water.

3. Process until the mixture comes together and is sticky enough to roll. Add a little extra water if the mixture is too dry.

4. Roll teaspoon-sized portions into balls.

5. Coat each ball in extra desiccated coconut.

6. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Storage

Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

On Wednesday 10 June, we were delighted to have our very first Grand Friends visit, with four wonderful women from St Vincent’s Aged Care joining us for a morning of connection, learning, and fun. To prepare for the visit, children from each room practised and performed a special song for their Grand Friends. The performances were met with warm smiles, and it was heartwarming to see our older friends joining in with the actions and enjoying the children’s enthusiasm.

Following the songs, the Grand Friends joined our young learners in a range of rotational experiences, including beading, playdough, colouring and reading. The interactions that unfolded were truly beautiful. Watching the children so naturally accept, engage with, and embrace members of the older generation was a wonderful reminder of the value of intergenerational relationships.

The morning was a blessing for everyone involved—the children, our Grand Friends, and the staff from both organisations. Meaningful connections were formed, stories were shared, and smiles were abundant. Grand Friends is one of several relationship-focused programs we have introduced at the ELC, alongside Play Friends and Primary Friends. These initiatives have been carefully designed to strengthen connections within our community, support families, and provide children with opportunities to develop a sense of belonging and social responsibility.

Through programs such as Grand Friends, we are actively fostering collaborative partnerships with families and the wider community, reflecting Quality Area 6 of the National Quality Standard. By building and nurturing these relationships, we create richer learning experiences for children and strengthen the supportive network that surrounds them as they grow and learn.

Young children build confidence when they are given small, meaningful opportunities to do things for themselves. Everyday moments such as putting on shoes, packing a bag, helping set the table, choosing clothes or carrying their own belongings can all support a child’s growing sense of independence.

While it can sometimes feel quicker for adults to step in and do things for children, allowing extra time for them to try helps build important life skills. These small tasks support problem-solving, persistence, fine motor development and self-confidence. They also help children feel like capable and valued members of their family.

Independence does not mean children need to manage everything on their own. Young children still need support, encouragement and patient guidance. A helpful approach is to offer small choices and gentle prompts, such as, “Would you like to put your shoes on first or pack your drink bottle first?” or “You have a go, and I’ll help if you need me.”

There may be moments of frustration, especially when a task feels tricky or takes longer than expected. These moments are a normal part of learning. When adults stay calm and encouraging, children begin to understand that mistakes are okay and that trying again is part of building new skills. Celebrating effort rather than perfection helps children feel proud of what they are learning.

Families can encourage independence by starting with simple, age-appropriate responsibilities. This might include placing dirty clothes in the basket, putting toys away, helping water plants, choosing a book for bedtime, wiping a small spill or carrying their own lunchbox. Over time, these small routines help children develop confidence, responsibility and resilience.

It can also be helpful to build independence into predictable daily routines. For example, children may be encouraged to put their hat in their bag each morning, wash their hands before meals or help pack away after play. Repeated opportunities allow children to practise the same skills until they become more confident and capable.

Independence can also support a child’s emotional development. When children are trusted with small responsibilities, they often feel a greater sense of pride and ownership. This can encourage them to take initiative, solve simple problems and contribute positively to family routines. Even small comments such as “You worked that out” or “Thank you for helping” can reinforce a child’s confidence and motivation.

Importantly, every child develops at their own pace. Some children may be eager to try new tasks, while others may need reassurance, modelling and extra time. Gentle encouragement, patience and consistency can make a big difference.

When children are supported to do things for themselves, they begin to believe, “I can try,” “I can help,” and “I can do hard things.” These powerful messages support their learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging as they grow.

Nature bracelets are a simple and engaging outdoor activity that encourages children to explore the natural world while being creative. Keep this activity on hand for the upcoming holiday period!

To make a nature bracelet, place a strip of masking tape or duct tape around each child’s wrist with the sticky side facing out. Children can then head outside to collect small natural items such as leaves, flowers, feathers, grass, bark, seedpods or twigs and stick them onto their bracelet as they go.

This activity supports children to slow down and notice the details around them. As they search for items, educators can encourage children to talk about colours, shapes, textures and smells, helping to build language, observation and early science skills. Children may compare leaves, count flowers, sort items by size or discuss seasonal changes they notice in the environment.

Nature bracelets are also a wonderful sensory activity that supports fine motor development as children pick up and place small items onto the sticky surface. Because the activity is child-led, it encourages creativity, curiosity and independent decision-making.

Nature bracelets can be enjoyed in all seasons and adapted to suit any outdoor environment, from a playground or backyard to a bushwalk or local park. They are an inexpensive and easy way to make outdoor play more meaningful and memorable.

SOURCE: sproutingwildones.com/nature-bracelets/

We will often place information about the coming week or photos of things happening during the week. Please find the link here to check it out. 

Our CCC Playgroup is on Thursdays! Designed to encourage children's learning and development through engaging, hands-on experiences and structured story times, our Play Friends program follows the mainly play curriculum. We follow monthly themes, with new story and songs each week. Come to find community and build connection here at Cooloola Christian College. All parents with pre-school aged children welcome. $2 entry per child, capped at $5 per family. We look forward to seeing you there! 

• Thursday 18th June: Year 5 Buddies
• Saturday 20th June: ELC Photo Fundraiser - Book now!
• Wednesday 24th June: CCC Primary Athletics (Kindy races from 9:20am)
• Saturday 27th June - Sunday 19th July: College Holidays