The adventures continued in Prep last week… and oh what adventures they were!
With baskets packed and excitement buzzing, our annual excursion whisked us away to the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery, and the Children’s Art Centre at GOMA. The suspense began the moment we climbed aboard the DOUBLE DECKER BUS (yes, capital letters absolutely required). Two whole days of wide eyes, city sights, and navigating the Cultural Centre like seasoned explorers lay ahead.
The Queensland Museum quickly became a favourite, especially as it perfectly tied in with our recent Science unit on the external features of animals. Level 4 was full of “oohs”, “aahs”, and very serious pondering as students discovered the wonderfully creative and clever features God has designed into so many animals. The day was filled with curious questions, thoughtful discussions about the whats and whys, and a rich consolidation of new vocabulary—learning that stuck, because it was experienced, not just taught.
Next stop: the Art Gallery, where we were delighted to ‘stumble’ upon Under the Jacaranda and uncover the story behind this beautiful painting. Our Prep students were absolute stars—calm, respectful and proudly representing themselves and our College with great dignity. Experiences like this don’t happen by accident, and we are so grateful for the tireless efforts of our amazing parent helpers and the dedicated Mueller staff who made it all possible.
The final destination was the Children’s Art Centre, and what a grand finale it was. This wonderfully interactive space invited students to create, imagine, move and reflect – exploring art through smell, contemplation, dance and design. The sense of awe was almost tangible as little minds stretched and imaginations soared. We finished the day deeply satisfied, knowing our youngest learners had been given a taste of the Arts in a way that left them wanting more.
I couldn’t recommend a family visit to the Cultural Centre highly enough – there is truly so much to see and do. But for our Prep students, perhaps the ultimate highlight? A second ride on the buses! In a world so full of screens and constant distractions, it was a joy to see children simply enjoying being together – riding through the city, gazing up at tall buildings and bridges, spotting sculptures and artworks, and delighting in the wonder of discovering new places.
As one little person summed it up perfectly: “This is the best day of my life.” May we all experience the beauty of God’s creation with such wonder and joy.
Sue Norford
