Tēnā koutou katoa, malo e lelei, talofa lava, ni sa bula vinaka, talohani, kia orana, fakalofa lahi atu and blessings and warm greetings to you all. 

Spring seems to be well on its way already in Wellington.  The hope and joy of spring flowers, lambs, new growth, all God’s creative power, is something that I know you will be sharing with your children.  (See below the comment from Alan Grant, Consultant Religious Education, Archdiocese of Wellington for some more on this!)

Alan Grant shared what he noticed in a visit that he made to St Mary’s Preschool, Blenheim.  He saw in the children the wonder of our God, as expressed by the children as they spontaneously commented on the works God creates, and their joy in the celebration of Church feasts. 

Alan has connections with other early childhood services also, and he noted how the children, bringing home their faith attitudes from their early childhood learning service, really act in an evangelising role for their parents, awakening or reawakening faith and commitment within their family.

He mentioned children’s comments reported to him by parents: “How wonderful that God was able to make that island (Kāpiti) over there in the sea.” “We are so lucky to see God’s beautiful rainbows.”  He is aware also that children bring the karakia mō te kai (grace before meals) home and in some families mealtimes have changed as a result of this.  Early childhood teachers make a great difference for everyone associated with their service!

He has also seen an idea worth copying: a mural of Jesus the Good Shepherd, with his arms outstretched, for which children made sheep and other animals to be placed on or at the bottom of the mural.

I phoned John recently, who told me what a pleasure it is to visit Jubilee Catholic Early Childhood Centre, Hamilton.  He says it is always lovely, and absolutely full of Catholic Character radiating from children, staff, and evident in activities.  We offer our congratulations to Val Penrose, who has taken over the role of supervisor at Jubilee.  

He also mentioned that the diocese is really open to the establishment of Catholic Early Childhood Services wherever there is need and interest.

Further, he gave me some news of Our Place, an early childhood facility in Hamilton. (I wrote about Our Place in this newsletter when it opened several years ago.)  This service is private (as distinct from ‘not for profit’). It is running a wonderful Catholic programme.  Staff are following the Catholic early childhood curriculum, and have trained in the Catholic Early Childhood certificate.  Students feed into St Columba Catholic School, in Frankton.  Our Place is part of the local Catholic Community of Learning.  Subject to the approval of Bishop Steve, John would like to see this centre recognised as a Catholic centre and as such subject to Catholic Character reviews.  The parties are currently investigating this option. 

We understand that Our Place is doing wonderful work, and we wish them well.

Anne Kennedy is the Associate Director of NCRS with responsibility for the Catholic Early Childhood Curriculum (her contact details are below).  She has a longstanding interest in children’s spirituality, and she has lectured in Auckland for the Catholic Early Childhood papers.  She sent through an interesting article (link here) on children’s spirituality and humour.

While the children referred to in the study were five year olds, I think you will easily recognise that what she says applies to younger children, certainly four year olds, and perhaps three year olds too.

Do enjoy it.

Remember to pass on the newsletter, and to send us any news or photos for circulating. 

Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki hoki – May God bless you and keep you.

Susan Apáthy

Deputy CEO, NZCEO
New Zealand Association of Catholic Early Childcare Organisations
C/- New Zealand Catholic Education Office
PO Box 12307, Wellington 6144
Phone 04 496 1739
www.nzceo.org.nz
Email nzceooffice@nzceo.org.nz or s.apathy@nzceo.org.nz

Catholic Early Childhood Curriculum: Anne Kennedy
National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS)
http://tci.ac.nz/ncrs, email: ncrs@tci.ac.nz, or a.kennedy@tci.ac.nz

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