It has been an exciting time over this past week as we have opened the doors to Lighthouse Early Learning to our littlest people of Encounter. The new Centre with its own bespoke nature playground, along with modern and secure facilities now doubles our previous capacity, catering for fifty-five 3½ and 4-year-olds as they prepare for their longer-term education at Encounter.
Over the past 10 months, those driving past the front of the College would have seen our new ‘Brighton’ beach hut designs, now painted on the Adelaide Road facade of Lighthouse Early Learning. Along with the coloured designs paying homage to our College colours, there are a twin of coastal huts (a sunset hue and a blue sky with seagulls) and the white and red of a lighthouse.
Some of you may have also seen the four numbers adorning the beach huts, each with a nod to our history. The numbers and meanings are:
- 2001 – (The Brighton painted in our 3 school colours). The year Encounter was established.
- 78 – (The Brighton painted the colours of a Fleurieu sunrise/sunset). The number of students who started in 2001.
- 1517 – (The Brighton painted the colour of the sea complete with our iconic seagulls). A significant year for the Lutheran community– the year Martin Luther played an important part in what is known in History as the Reformation.
- 8:12 – (The Brighton painted in the colours of a traditional lighthouse). The verse from the gospel of John where the inspiration for Lighthouse Early Learning came.
Our new Early Learning Centre has been given the name, Lighthouse Early Learning. A lighthouse serves as a beacon, a clear landmark, and something that provides safe passage for travel from one place to another. Lighthouses hold prominent positions and Encounter also finds itself at the entrance to Victor Harbor and has the opportunity to declare itself as a safe haven, a destination and a point of reference. These messages resonate with who we are and what we want to be for our youngest learners at Encounter, as well as our broader community.
Lighthouse Early Learning is part of a $8m building program over the past 10 months which incorporates the new Wilderness Centre at Wurar Ruwi (Block 69) together with a new roadway and exit from the College out onto Adelaide Road at the information bay.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’. – John 8:12
