Katamatite Kindergarten kids Huldah Shwe, Luna Khin-Patrick, Sam Hodge, Sam Dickie, Kayce Fruend, Libby Whittingham, Teddy Pendlebury and Skyis Khin-Patrick.
Photo by
Abby Green
It was a special day at Katamatite Kindergarten on Wednesday, July 29, with children taking part in a Commonwealth Games-themed bike ride before unveiling colourful new mosaic artworks outside the kinder.
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The street was lined with parents and community members waving pom poms and streamers as children in bright colours rode their decorated bikes back to the kindergarten.
The ride was led by kindergartener Kayce Fruend on Timmy Time the pony, waving the Australian flag alongside mum Steph.
Katamatite Kindergarten teacher Jacquie Monk said the children spent every Wednesday at Boosey Creek for bush kinder before riding their bikes back to the kindergarten at the end of the day.
The street was lined with parents and community members waving pom poms as the kindergarteners completed their Commonwealth Games-themed ride.
Photo by
Abby Green
“We have an open fire, we cook food down there and we take minimal things in with us,” she said.
“The kids basically spend the day in the bush, using their imagination, creativity, problem-solving, enjoying and building respect for nature.”
Ms Monk said the Commonwealth Games-themed ride followed the success of an Olympic Games ride held a few years ago after a parent suggested celebrating the children’s efforts.
“They’re only little kids, and they do such a champion effort of riding that far, so it’s a lovely way to celebrate being active and what they can actually achieve,” Ms Monk said.
Kindergartener Kayce Fruend on Timmy Time the pony alongside mum Steph.
“The idea was for the kids to dress up in different colours and the parents all sneaked down and decorated their bikes while we were at bush kinder and the kids were all excited to find them decorated.
“The support from the kinder families, along with the teachers, to make this happen was amazing.”
After completing the ride, the children were presented with gold medals during a ceremony with the national anthem playing.
The medals were handmade by the children using jar lids, decorated however they liked before being covered in gold glitter.
Jacquie Monk, Sharron Evans and June Wood with the new mosaic poles outside Katamatite Kindergarten.
The celebrations continued with the unveiling of colourful mosaic poles created by the kindergarten, Katamatite Primary School students, Art for All and members of the wider community.
Ms Monk said she felt the front of the kinder was lacking “a little bit of life” and, after seeing Art for All's mosaic poles at Thompsons Beach, reached out to the group.
“I thought, ‘Maybe that’s something we could put out the front to brighten up the kinder and make it more warm and welcoming,’” she said.
Over several months, kindergarten children, Katamatite Primary School students and community members attended two workshops to help create the mosaic designs.
The poles had a variety of different designs, including a cow ballerina.
“The children took part in drawing pictures and having input into what designs went on the poles,” Ms Monk said.
“It’s about keeping the kids connected to the town and being proud of the space that they live in.”
Ms Monk said she was “thrilled” with the finished result, which exceeded her expectations.
Sharron Evans and Art for All president June Wood led the project, bringing to life the children's design ideas, which included Bluey, Spider-Man, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Gruffalo, Olaf and Peppa Pig.
Kindergartener Teddy Pendlebury.
Ms Evans said each pole followed a different theme, including one depicting the kindergarten and its children beneath a tree, one featuring the alphabet, another themed around dinosaurs, tractors and space, and another with a mix of designs.
“It’s great seeing the kids really excited and pointing things out ― one of the girls found a fairy she made, and so she was really happy,” she said.
Mrs Wood said Art for All was about bringing the community together through art and identifying opportunities for public art projects.
“It was a big group effort, and it’s come out wonderful,” she said.
Kindergarteners Skyis and Luna Khin-Patrick.
The kids were involved in the mosaic process, deciding on designs.
Dinosaurs featured on one of the poles, designed by the kids.
Kindergarteners Sam Hodge, Sam Dickie and Teddy Pendlebury.
