Learning Together at St John XXIII, Stanhope Gardens
July 2026
The July school holidays provided a wonderful opportunity for our Early Learning and Vacation Care Services at St John XXIII Stanhope Gardens, to come together and learn from one another. Through collaborative play, shared challenges and fun activities, children across different age groups developed important skills while building friendships and a strong sense of community.
Together, the children participated in a variety of activities including basketball games, a Teddy Bears’ Picnic, gardening, scarecrow construction, building and construction challenges, scooter riding, obstacle courses and basketball mentoring.
As part of the Ambrose Foundations Pre-Kindergarten Program, experiences such as these provide Early Learning children with valuable opportunities to become familiar with the primary school environment and build relationships with older students before beginning their schooling journey. These experiences help foster confidence, independence and a sense of belonging. At the same time, the older children embraced leadership roles, guiding and supporting younger learners throughout play and structured activities. Whether helping them navigate obstacle courses, mentoring them during basketball games or encouraging them to explore new spaces, the older children demonstrated patience, responsibility and teamwork.
One particularly memorable experience was the construction of a scarecrow in the Early Learning playground, using recycled materials. After discovering that crows had been eating the recently planted grass seeds in the playground, all the children worked together to find a solution. The collaborative project sparked creativity, communication and problem-solving as children shared ideas and negotiated design decisions. When some of the younger children noticed the scarecrow appeared to have only one leg, the older children quickly explained that “he needed a walking stick” and set about adding one. Determined to make the scarecrow even more effective, the older children decided he should look fierce, creating a sword, shield and even an elaborate trap to help protect the garden.
Working together, the children showcased some impressive problem-solving skills, with the planning and building of structures using pipes and other materials. These experiences encouraged creativity, critical thinking, communication and cooperation across different age groups.
The July holiday experiences demonstrated the many benefits of children learning with and from one another. Through shared play, mentoring, leadership opportunities and collaborative projects, children developed confidence, formed friendships and strengthened their connection to the wider community. Most importantly, they had so much fun that they are already planning what activities they can explore together in the next Vacation Care program.
For more information visit on these services visit St John XXIII Early Learning, St John XXIII School Age Care.