Written by Mrs Jenny Rees - Director of Early Learning Centre and Outside School Hours Care
In our Indigenous Garden we commissioned Daniel Evans, a Kamilaroy man, to work with the children and staff to tell Coomera Anglican College Early Learning Centre’s story, of who we are as a service, for our community.
Consistent with our Centre philosophy, it depicts connection and respect to land, families and community, with a strong focus on the inclusion of all children as they learn and transition through our service.
Across the tank trails the Coomera River, while along the bottom, symbols represent the hills that surround Coomera. This river and these mountains are significant to the land and have been used for thousands of years by our First Nations People.
Connected yet apart are three meeting circles, different in size, but equally important. They reflect a trilogy of the rooms within our Centre - Junior Kindy, Senior Kindy and Pre-prep representing the transition phases of a child’s learning journey. Similarly, they can also represent the learning journey taken by children and families commencing in the Early Learning Centre moving through to Primary and onto the Secondary Campus finally finishing and moving out into the community. In keeping with our Anglican Faith these same groupings represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that work within our lives, guiding our heart, our thinking, and our actions. Encompassing each meeting circle are symbols that represent children and adults who belong together as a community.
Nestled within, are separate meeting circles which highlight the importance we place on ensuring that we welcome everyone into our community, gathering to celebrate, share stories and knowledge.
The footprints belong to the children, representing the importance of the mark and impact they leave on the ground during the time that they are in the Centre. The handprints record the educators guiding, nurturing presence and their sense of ‘belonging’ to our community.
About the Artist – Daniel Evans
Daniel Evans of Walkabout Warriors Art is a Kamilaroy man, born in the small country town of Coonabarabran in the northwest of New South Wales but has been a Gold Coast local for the past 20 years.
Daniel has a passion for Indigenous Art. He is proud of his heritage and the traditional owners of this beautiful country we call home. Daniel has always loved art, not just because of what you see, but the stories and history behind them all.
Daniel started painting at the age of 27 and loves creating and telling stories through his work with the symbols and colours all having meanings behind them.
Together as a community we give the children the roots to grow and the wings to fly!
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