The day may have been dismal, but it did not stop more than 60 children, friends family and guests of Nar Nar Goon Kindergarten coming together to celebrate the centre’s achievements in the Victorian Health Achievement Program.
During the 2 May celebration, early childhood teacher Linda English took the guests through a sample of some of the ways healthy eating and oral health, healthy physical environment and sun smart are weaved into the everyday learning environment, programs and practices to create healthy environments for learning, working and living.
Children and guests participated in singing and dancing, and activities highlighting the health achievement areas the centre had been working on.
Julian Bilton from Monash Health spoke about the centre’s ongoing commitment to child, family and community health and well-being, and Cardinia councillor Graeme Moore spoke of the strong community engagement the centre has and congratulated the staff on the effort and dedication they put into the service to achieve significant benefits for our children and community.
Cr Moore also thanked Kinders Together cluster management for the overall support and management they provide for the service.
Kindergarten president Abby Scanlon and Mark Ward, representing long-term family and community engagement, and the staff team were invited to come forward to attach the health achievement badges secured by the centre’s heath achievement sign.
The kindergarten, which has twice been assessed against the Australian National Standards, and on both occasions achieved exceeding national standards, has a strong commitment to continuous improvement in all areas of its programs and practices.
Linda outlined some exciting projects being worked on through the kindergarten’s Education Community Partnership with Nar Nar Goon Primary School and St James Primary NNG which will engage all three sites and the community in health and fitness opportunities and also opportunities for cultural engagement with the area’s indigenous heritage in a curriculum module and three site mural projects.
The official award ceremony was followed by everyone enjoying some healthy afternoon tea which the kindergarten children had made that morning.
