KU St Ives Barra Brui celebrate 125th anniversary by joining in with Five Big Ideas

KU St Ives Barra Brui Preschool recently celebrated the 125th anniversary of KU Children’s Services by taking part in the ‘Five Big Ideas Program’ run by Gunawirra, an organisation that aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, carers, children, families and communities to break the cycle of hardship.

The preschool community contributed to the program by putting together care packs filled with soap, tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandaids, undergarments, socks, pencils, activity books and more, to be distributed to preschool children and their families in regional and remote NSW, KU St Ives Director, Karen Wagner explained.

 When asked what they would say to the children who would receive the care packs, Anjali said “I wish you didn’t live so far away so I can play with you” and Phoenix said “We can be friends. I like insects and being super fast. We can play, run and chase kangaroos and beetles.”

The theme of the 125 years celebration was ‘making a difference through 125 years of social impact and early education’ and the preschool chose to donate the care packs during National Reconciliation Week, which is run from 27 May – 3 June each year.

“We chose to support the Five Big Ideas Program as it ties in closely with our commitment to reconciliation and making a positive social impact,” Ms Wagner said.

Each care pack supports the implementation of personal health and nutrition programs for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, something she said was a point of pride for the service. 

“We were proud to see our children, families and staff coming together to understand the impact good health and nutrition has on the education and life experiences of all children,” she continued. 

“Collecting and donating the items to support the Five Big Ideas Program is part of our learning experience and we’re looking forward to further celebrating KU’s 125 years with a preschool fun day later in the year.”

For more information about Gunawirra and the Five Big Ideas Program please see here. Information about KU St Ives may be found here.