Educational Encounters and Atelier Experiences

Thursday’s program will include Educational Encounters (departing approximately 9:30am), Atelier Sessions in both the morning and afternoon, a Leadership Masterclass and the Sharing of Practice. Please ensure to check back soon and keep an eye on your email and social media for more details, including how to book these wonderful Conference offerings.

The 2025 Pre-conference Educational Encounters are generously hosted by:

Ngutu College

TIME: 9:00am – 12:00pm COST: $125

Opened in 2021, Ngutu College is led by a team involved in SA’s Project Quattro, then, leading one of four lead sites following recommendations by 2012-13 Thinker in Residence, Carla Rinaldi.

On Page 13 of her report, “Reimagining Childhood” Carla wrote, “The wellbeing and the sustainability that comes as a consequence is the idea of a society inspired by the Aboriginal cultures where the welcoming and wellbeing of children is the welcoming and wellbeing of all the human beings from 0-99 years of age”.

Ngutu is the activation of this concept; privileging First Nations knowledges and ways of being, integrated with the formal curriculum. With a target of 50% Aboriginal enrolment, it is also a place of welcome for all (children, young people and adults), in particular minority groups seeking safety and empowerment. It is a place for all to learn truth and to learn from a base of playful learning and wellness.

St Peter's Girls' ELC

TIME: 9:00am – 11:30am COST: $125

St Peter’s Girls’ Early Learning Centre (ELC) is a vibrant community located in the Adelaide foothills. They are a 120 place Centre consisting of two learning communities for children 2 to 5 years. St Peter’s Girls’ ELC are guided by the Reggio Emilia Approach and as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) setting, have a strong emphasis on inquiry. The Centre fosters a nurturing environment where each child’s unique voice and creativity are celebrated.

The ELC has two learning communities are connected by an Atelier and Piazza, two symbolic places where creativity and community thrive. The concept of the 100 Languages is deeply embedded in their practice, brought to life through the expertise and vision of an Atelierista.

St Peter’s ELC are proud of their innovative projects, including Kamparriti (meaning “kitchen” in Kaurna language), an Atelier of Flavours that fosters curiosity and a deeper understanding of healthy eating and sustainability.

The ELC is fortunate to boarder Ferguson Conservation Park that acts as an outdoor laboratory for deep inquiry and offers daily inspiration. As finalist in the Narragunnawali Awards in 2021 St Peter’s ELC work closely with the School Cultural Liaison Officer, to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into daily learning.

Pennington Children’s Centre

TIME: 9:00am – 11:30am COST: $125

Pennington Children’s Centre for Early Childhood and Parenting is a government early childhood centre in a culturally diverse community of Western Adelaide, offering a preschool and occasional care program, along with playgroups and community programs.

Pennington educators have dedicated many years to developing a centre culture that values thoughtfulness, curiosity, multiple perspectives and intellectual engagement within and beyond their site. They are inspired by the educational principles of the Reggio Emilia educational project and consider the principles of Listening and Educational Research as core to their site’s philosophy.

On this visit you will hear how the Pennington team use the process of pedagogical documentation to design and revisit learning over time. This way of working helps to demonstrate how children are engaged in an educational program that upholds their rights as active citizens capable of challenge and complex thinking as they co-construct knowledge together.

Hills Christian Community School HILLS ELC

TIME: 9:15am – 3:45pm COST: $195

Morning Encounter:

Hills Christian Community School HILLS ELC, situated in the beautiful Adelaide Hills near Hahndorf, welcomes up to thirty-six children aged 3½ to 5 years each day. Children engage in nature-rich research, guided by the principles of Reggio Emilia and nature pedagogy.

The families who attend come from diverse backgrounds, including farming, wineries, and neighbouring town communities. Much of the educators and children’s time is spent outdoors, engaging deeply with the wonders of passing seasons. Children’s curiosity informs year-long research, welcoming exploration of authentic ecological relationships.

Fire, wattle, mushrooms, birds, and bees revisit each year and feature prominently in research, telling a story of connection, collaboration, and community. Partnerships with a local Aboriginal Educator enrich cultural perspectives. Young researchers use their hundred languages to express thinking and build understanding.

Nature is viewed as a learning partner, delighting daily, and Hills Christian Community School HILLS ELC welcome both country and city delegates to this workshop to discover how they can engage with nature for rich learning.

Afternoon Atelier Experience:

The Language of Fire is at the heart of nature learning at Hills Christian Community School ELC. Set in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, families come from bushfire-prone communities, adding a layer of complexity to their lives. The ELC embrace fire as a friend for collaboration, to build resilience and foster respect, and to understand the importance of fire for nature’s regeneration. Partnerships with Kaurna Peramangk neighbours enrich children’s understanding of fire for life and land management.

On this visit fire will be explored as a metaphor for collaboration in complex times and a language for learning. You will see children’s work with fire-making around fire labs and campfires. You will encounter children welcoming the gifts that remain after fire leaves – cooled charcoal and ash. You will witness children’s relationship with fire transform, drawing on First Nation understanding and exploring the role of fire in maintaining ecological balance.

Delegates will also hear David Booth tell Dreamtime stories that have strong connections with country by the fire and learn the skill of campfire cooking with traditional style damper. David will play the Yidaki and share traditional music and storytelling through music.