A Permanent Home: an exhibition of children’s deep thinking

Blue Gum Community School in Canberra, spans Playgroup all the way up to Year 10. The school was established 27 years ago by educators and parents seeking an alternative option to the limited educational landscape in Canberra. Since then, Blue Gum continually develops in response to our ever-changing times, actively seeking and reflecting upon a melding pot of philosophical approaches from both Australia and around the world, to continue to create and evolve our unique Australian philosophy.

A significant part of Blue Gum Preschool’s program (3–5-year-olds) is our Community Classrooms.

Community Classroom is a Blue Gum initiative that began 15 years ago, born out of a desire for students to connect with the wider community. Over time, it has evolved into a rich opportunity for students to deepen their sense of belonging through ACTIVE citizenship. Preschoolers visit urban or natural spaces regularly over three terms, slowing down to explore, discover, and build relationship with place. Past locations have included Canberra City Centre, Mount Majura, the Parliamentary Triangle, Mount Stromlo, and New Acton. In 2024, one of the Preschool classes, The Bower, chose the University of Canberra (UC) as its location.

After wandering through the University, connecting with many of the different communities there, the Bower stumbled across the National Center for Australian Children’s Literature (NCACL). This chance meeting with Belle and her dedicated volunteers opened a new opportunity we soon discovered as we learnt more about the organisation. We noticed the word advocacy written on an NCACL pamphlet and read that they are in need of a permanent home and are seeking aid from the wider community. This would be a home for children, families, educators, artists and everyone in between to access, learn about and enjoy Australian children’s literature.

After discussing with the students what the word advocacy meant (‘advocacy’ is when you help someone), The Bower decided to ask if there was something they could do to help in this quest. Upon returning to the NCACL, the students brought their offer to Belle, which was received with open arms. Could the Bower students collate a series of images representing what they thought a new home might look like?

“The child is an active citizen in the city, a citizen of today who will also live in the future, a citizen with rights but also a builder of culture contributing actively to the life of the city, capable of bringing questions, reflections and creativity into that life.” Rinaldi and Moss (2004)*

Over the weeks, the Bower brainstormed, held meetings, debated, collaborated and consulted experts about what important spaces were needed in these plans for a new building. They reflected on their own homes, buildings, what was needed for the purpose of the NCACL and how the space would be used. Important spaces we determined included a shelf for over 60, 000 books, a space for the art and illustrations, Max’s desk, lighting and electricity, how the outside looks and a theatre. The Bower then set to the task of refining their ideas through multiple drafts, constantly collaborating with peers for feedback and creating final versions, intentionally incorporating materials like paint, pastels, and markers to show their thinking, along with artist statements.

The result was a powerful representation of what children CAN do through their work and deep thinking, reflected in an exhibition, A Permanent Home, which celebrates an organisation that understands the importance of investing in children and childhood. We hope to continue this relationship with the NCACL and advocate for the next steps – a new home to be built/acquired so that all people can appreciate Australian Children’s Literature and the impact – past, present and future – it has on us all.

* Rinaldi, C. & Moss, P. (2004). What is Reggio? Children in Europe (6), 2-3

Jasmine Telfer Class Director: an Educator with Blue Gum for over 5 years with a passion for empowering children through Blue Gum’s philosophy and advocating for how childhood can be!

See also:

Blue Gum Community School Exhibition Volume 1 – NCACL
Blue Gum Community School Exhibition Volume 2 – NCACL
Blue Gum Community School
Blue Gum Community School’s Children’s Comments

 

Posted by: NCACL | Published: 25 Jan 2025