Last week, our excited Preppies set off on a big adventure to the city—and what a joyful journey it was! For many of our little learners, it was their very first time on a bus. You can imagine the squeals of excitement when Monday’s group discovered they’d be travelling on a double-decker bus—what a way to start the day!
As we arrived at the Queensland Museum, a sea of blue Mueller College uniforms flowed into the Dinosaur Garden, where the children eagerly posed for photos and soaked up the atmosphere. Half of the group headed up to Level 4 to explore the ‘Wild State’ and ‘Discovery Centre’ exhibitions, diving into our current Science unit by observing the external features of living things. The children also put their mapping skills to the test—something we’ve been learning in Geography—navigating the museum with curious eyes and open minds.
Meanwhile, the other half of the cohort made their way to the Queensland Art Gallery on a special mission: to find the iconic Brisbane painting, Under the Jacaranda. Painted 122 years ago, this artwork captures the first known Jacaranda tree in Australia. With awe and quiet wonder, our Prep students walked through the gallery, showing exemplary behaviour and heartfelt respect. We were so proud of their maturity and reverence for the beautiful art around them.
During a moment of reflection in front of the painting, the children connected personally with what they saw. One little voice noticed the flower crown on the woman’s head, sparking a beautiful Kingdom Connection conversation. We shared with the children that as sons and daughters of God the King, we each wear invisible crowns. A thoughtful little student had Mrs Langford and I in stitches as he quietly whispered, “Our Father has art in heaven… oh, now I get it.” These moments, filled with innocence and spiritual insight, are truly the heart of Prep.
After soaking in the classics, our journey continued to the Gallery of Modern Art, where the Children’s Art Centre offered five exciting, hands-on exhibits. The students engaged joyfully and respectfully, sharing, creating, and exploring in a space designed just for them. Their cooperation, enthusiasm, and behaviour were simply outstanding.
This excursion was packed with meaningful firsts—new experiences, rich learning, and unforgettable memories. It also gave our students plenty of inspiration to draw upon for their very first writing assessment!
A heartfelt thank you goes to all who made this day possible—our incredible parent helpers, supportive staff, interns, and dedicated teachers. What a joy it was to share the wonders of the city with our youngest learners.
Sue Norford
