A range of centre tours have been planned for delegates to make the most out of their conference experience. Tours are now open for registration to all 2019 ECA National Conference delegates and can be booked online during the registration process. There are a limited number of places available, book now!
The education resource From Gumnuts to Buttons is combined with a journey through the Aboriginal Exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) during this tour.
The education resource From Gumnuts to Buttons gives students a view of European settlement through the eyes of Tasmanian Aboriginal people. The gumnuts symbolise Aboriginal people and the buttons symbolise white colonists.
Following will be a TMAG Aboriginal Learning Program session which will provide insight into the creativity and resilience of Tasmanian Aboriginal people and culture. Lead by TMAG’s Aboriginal Learning Facilitators, the session includes a visit to ningina tunapri, TMAG’s Aboriginal culture gallery, and Our land: Parrawa, Parrawa! Go away!—an exhibition that tells the story of Aboriginal people and colonists following the invasion of lutruwita, and the Black War. Participants will learn about the Aboriginal Learning programs and resources that TMAG offers and how to guide their students around these important exhibitions in ways that are age appropriate.
What to bring: Walking shoes, money for coffee/tea.
Cost: $85
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Departing: 9.00 am
Returning: 1.00 pm
Max number: 18
This half day excursion has a specific focus on sustainability.
Tasmania’s Sustainability Learning Centre is an innovative and visionary purpose-built educational facility that offers early learning programs both on and off site. Gather together and take some time to step off the asphalt—become immersed in culturally appropriate ways to learn on Country, explore risky play at Tassie’s first nature-focused bush kindergarten and review the documentation and risk-benefit policy.
What to bring: Runners or walking shoes, warm jumper and long trousers, rain jacket, sunhat, water bottle.
Cost: $85
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Departing: 12.45 pm
Returning: 4.30 pm
Max number: 50
On the teaching and learning day tour, delegates will visit Reggio Emilia-inspired New Horizons Preschool and Windermere Primary School’s early learning centre, as well as Gaia’s Nest.
New Horizons Preschool is a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool, with campuses in both Battery Point and Lenah Valley. At the heart of their program are highly qualified and experienced early childhood educators. The educators have a strong understanding of the Reggio Emilia Educational Approach and Inquiry Pedagogies, along with the principles and practice elements of the Australian Early Years Learning Framework.
Windermere Primary School is a state-of-the-art 21st century learning environment catering for 650 students in a schools-within-school concept. The school is divided into four learning pods, each of which cater for the age and developmental needs of their students. All pods share the same school principles and whole-school approaches to the social, emotional and learning needs of their students. In 2018, Windermere Primary School opened a purpose-built Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning centre to cater for birth to six-year-old children and their families.
Gaia’s Nest is a holistic, organic early childhood education and care centre. It is set in a natural bush environment and is guided by the philosophical approaches of Rudolf Steiner, Reggio Emilia and the principles and practices of Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework. Here, children spend their days engaging in nature with educators who hold the highest image of them as capable and competent individuals.
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, flat shoes.
Cost: $145
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Departing: 8.00 am
Returning: 3.15 pm
Max number: 20
This tour visits two integrated services and a bush kinder, starting with the Lady Gowrie Tasmania—Integrated Child and Family Centre, followed by the Discovery Early Learning Centre Bush Kinder and concluding at the Child and Family Centre Chigwell.
Lady Gowrie Tasmania—Integrated Child and Family Centre is a newly redeveloped facility close to the city centre. The building has won several architectural awards and in 2018 was the recipient of the 2018 Hesta Award for Advancing Pedagogy and Practice through an action research project. Tour the exciting new facility and over coffee learn about the action research project outcomes.
Discovery Early Learning Centre’s Lenah Valley Bush Camp site is located near the end of Lenah Valley Road in Hobart, Tasmania. Lenah Valley Bush Camp supports children to connect with the land and recognises the place that bush has in Australian folklore. Children learn about Aboriginal culture and the significance of the land, and participate in unstructured activities exploring natural environments. This tour will allow participants to relive childhood memories and discover how nature-based play supports children’s wellbeing and learning.
Child and Family Centre Chigwell is for local families with children from pre-birth to five years old, where children can play and parents can access services in their local community. This collaborative partnership model leads innovative early intervention strategies, builds parenting capacity and strengthens community to provide best outcomes for children.
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, flat shoes.
Cost: $85
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Departing: 9.00 am
Returning: 2.45 pm
Max number: 20
This tour departs on a road trip to wayraparattee Child and Family Centre in Geeveston and incorporates a visit to the Willie Smith’s Apple Shed Museum to view some of the Apple Isle’s history followed by a lunch at their café before heading back to Hobart.
wayraparattee Child and Family Centre (CFC) in Geeveston is a place where all children from prenatal to five years, and their families, can access a range of programs and services. The purpose of the Child and Family Centre is to prepare children for school by improving the health and wellbeing, education and care of all children by supporting parents and enhancing accessibility of services in the local community. wayraparattee CFC also celebrates Aboriginal culture and heritage with programs such as ‘Out on Country’ and one-off events such as NAIDOC celebrations, Stories Through Art and other various cultural activities.
Willie Smith’s Apple Shed is about 25 minutes from Hobart, where you will find the home of Willie Smith’s cider. Discover the history of apple farming through the eyes of the Smith family in the museum, enjoy a light lunch from the delicious menu made from local, seasonal and sustainable produce, sample their cider and check out the distillery.
What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, flat shoes.
Cost: $110
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Departing: 9.15 am
Returning: 3.00 pm
Max number: 20