In this edition
Dear Families
At the ELC Information Evening last week, Kirsty Porplycia and I presented our Strategic Direction for the ELC in 2020. We believe it is critical for the ELC to align with the School and share goals which will impact the learning across our entire School for all students.
Our ELC academic goals have been a major focus during our staff professional learning days and we have begun implementing them across the Centre. The overall objective is to give greater visibility to the academic progress of our students using ‘Planning for the Possible’ as our vehicle.
In addition, the ELC has devised a strategic approach to ensure we are providing a foundational platform in Mathematics so our students are prepared for their transition to school.
Our strategies to support these intentions include engaging with an external Mathematics consultant to complement our academic program, continued professional learning opportunities and the introduction of a more formalised mentoring program with staff. Our Learning Community model supports these objectives and strategies.
To ensure we are keeping at the forefront of early childhood education, we continue to send a teacher to Reggio Emilia on a study tour each year. This experience provides staff with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Reggio Emilia culture and to share and implement their learnings in our ELC upon their return. This April, Annabelle Redmond (Learning Community 1 Co-Educator) is the successful candidate and I will be accompanying the tour as a Study Tour Leader.
To track students’ academic progress, we will be utilising our student portfolios to give greater visibility to student outcomes.
Finally, we shared our ELC focus on Sustainability. Our work with Charlie Aykroyd, General Manager of Australian Green Clean, will support the ELC to develop a deeper approach and commitment to this focus. Our Community Garden, worm farms and bin system are already practices we have in place to support the daily interactions for all children.
We encourage families to engage in dialogue with us about our goals for 2020 and hope that at the conclusion of the year, you can clearly see the evidence to support our direction.
Kind regards
Kate Mount
Director of Early Learning
Save the Date
Monday 9 March: Public Holiday (ELC Closed)
Friday 13 March: ELC Twilight Family Picnic at 5pm
Monday 23 – 25 March: ELC Photos
Sunday 29 March: Parents’ and Friends’ Association – Garden of Saintly Delights Fair
Thursday 9 April: Hot Cross Bun Morning Tea at 8.45am
Friday 10 – 11 April: Easter (ELC Closed)
The Power of Music in the ELC
This year, we welcome Courtney Sandford to the ELC as our new Music Teacher. Our Music classes have a strong focus on singing with movement to help develop brain to body connection while encouraging social and emotional discovery. Musical exploration in this way helps the children to establish an understanding of basic musical concepts such as aural skills, language, rhythm, beat and pitch. The children are particularly excited when our basket of colourful percussion instruments comes out!
Courtney hopes that her classes will encourage and inspire a love for music within the children. We are all excited for our year of music ahead.
Encouraging a Love for Mathematics
As a part of our strategic direction for 2020, we are focused on providing a foundational platform in Mathematics to prepare our students for their transition to school.
Mathematics consultant Lisa-Jane O’Connor recently joined our staff for an afternoon of professional learning and shared valuable insights into the world of Mathematics from an early learner’s perspective. She will continue to work alongside us this year as we aim to help students up-skill and develop a love for Mathematics. We look forward to sharing these learnings with you throughout the year.
Friends of the ELC Morning Tea
Last week, we welcomed families for morning tea and coffee on Chiverton Lawns. Staff and members of the Friends of the ELC enjoyed joining new and returning families to launch the year with this wonderful community event.
Nikki Geyer, President of the Friends of the ELC, formally welcomed everyone to the event and asked that anyone interested in being involved with the Friends of the ELC in 2020 please speak to her or Kate.
The Future of Reconciliation
With a 2020 focus on embedding Kaurna language, we relish the opportunities to invite Kaurna elder Tamaru into our Centre. This week, Tamaru, with politician Emily Bourke, performed the Welcome and Acknowledgement to Country in Kaurna. The children loved sharing their Kaurna songs as well as their special acknowledgement with our visitors.
Friends of the ELC Twilight Family Picnic
We warmly invite you to attend our Twilight Family Picnic on Chiverton Lawns from 5pm on Friday 13 March, hosted by the Friends of the ELC.
Families are welcome to bring a picnic basket or purchase food at the event. A sausage sizzle and cupcakes will be sold on the night as well as beer, wine and bubbles.
The Twilight Family Picnic is an ELC community event and a wonderful opportunity to meet new families and chat to the ELC Educators.
来自黄老师的信息
亲爱的家长朋友们，您们好 ：
在上个星期的家长交流会上，园长Mrs KateMount和Mrs Kirsty Porplycia 老师介绍了我们ELC 2020年的策略方向。我们相信ELC和学校一同共享学习的目标，会整个学校的学习有着十分重要且关键的影响。
在我们老师的专业培训日上，我们ELC的“学术目标”是我们讨论的关键要点。总体来说，我们的目标在于通过“规划学习的可能性”作为我们的驱动，让小朋友取得更可见的学术进步。
另外，ELC设计了一个策略性的方案以确保为小朋友们提供一个“数学学习”的基础平台，为日后升入小学做一个很好的衔接。
为了让我们的实践保持在早教教育的前沿，今年我们的Annabelle Redmond老师将前往意大利Reggio Emilia进修学习。
为了更好的记录小朋友的学业进步情况，我们将利用“学习记录文档”来展示学生的学习成果。
最后，今年我们ELC将会把重点放在“可持续发展”上。对于这一重点，我们ELC支持发展更深层的实践方法，并贯彻到底。例如我们已经在实践中的“社区花园”、“蚯蚓农场”、“垃圾分类”都将运用到我们和小朋友的日常交流中去。
我们期待家长朋友们参与到我们的2020年学习目标的规划中来。希望在学年总结时，您可以清楚地看到支持我们教学方向的成就。
最后，今年我们ELC将会把重点放在“可持续发展”上。对于这一重点，我们ELC支持发展更深层的实践方法，并贯彻到底。例如我们已经在实践中的“社区花园”、“蚯蚓农场”、“垃圾分类”都将运用到我们和小朋友的日常交流中去。
我们期待家长朋友们参与到我们的2020年学习目标的规划中来。希望在学年总结时，您可以清楚的看到支持我们教学方向的证明。
Emma works in Learning Community 2 on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am – 5pm.
Sustainability in the ELC
With an abundance of peaches from Mrs Tierney’s and Mrs Mount’s peach trees, it was a perfect opportunity for the children to develop an understanding of the importance of picking and cooking with seasonal produce. We loved eating them fresh but we also enjoyed cooking with them. Our peach crumble recipe is definitely a favourite. We encourage you to view the documentation in our rooms that shares this rich learning experience.
Green & Clean question of the day: ask your child what a peach feels and tastes like!
Staff Spotlight
As part of this year’s focus on the language of welcome, we will be shining a light on our talented staff members in each ELC eNews edition to allow our families to get to know them better.
Meet Joshua Romeo. Josh joined the ELC team in 2019 after graduating from the University of South Australia in 2018 with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. As a recent graduate, Josh felt it was important to gain experience working in a high-functioning team. He joined the Learning Community 2 team and has been a wonderful asset to our staff dynamic.
Why are you passionate about working with children?
I believe childhood is a sacred time in one’s life and, as such, it should be respected and appreciated for the beauty it possesses. Working with children is a great privilege; I’m always amazed by their curiosity and wisdom. I also understand the huge responsibility we hold at the ELC, being gifted with the young minds of children and the privilege of helping them grow into compassionate members of their communities.
What makes St Peter’s Girls’ ELC special?
Something I cherish about our ELC is the wonderful relationship we have with Kaurna elder Tamaru. Being able to work so closely with him has been an incredible gift, and I’ve been able to witness first-hand the profound impact that his teachings have had on all of us here in the ELC, children and educators alike.
What does ‘Welcome’ mean to you in the ELC?
I’m fortunate enough to be one of the opening Co-Educators at the ELC, so the act of welcome is a significant part of my morning. I really enjoy sharing moments with the children as we begin our day together. You’ll often find me working alongside children constructing with materials, sharing a healthy breakfast snack or creating artwork for our loved ones.
Collecting Children Due to Illness
If an ELC staff member or School Registered Nurse calls you to collect your child because of illness, we ask that due haste is taken and your child is collected within 30 minutes. Our request concerns the wellbeing of the child as well as reducing the risk of infections spreading. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our ELC healthy and flourishing. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the School’s Health Centre on 8334 2276.
News from Learning Community 1
The Stonyfell and Bell Yett children are exploring the question, “Where does food come from?” There is great excitement at lunch time as the children discover what is in their lunch boxes. For our very young children, it is the first time they have had a lunchbox of their own. Many of them can’t wait to find out what’s hiding in there and are sitting down with it soon after arriving at ELC! It is both an adventure and a comfort.
“Who made your lunch for you?” – Ms Angel
“Daddy!”– Axel
“Mummy Harding!” – Mila H
We can see the love that goes into these beautiful, healthy, colourful and creative lunch boxes, and how they connect the children to home and family.
With a global focus on the need for us to live in ways that value and respect sustainable practices, we know we must teach our children the concept of responsibility around consumption and waste. They need to understand what it takes to grow food, the importance of eating foods that are in season and that food should not be wasted. They need to be aware of the ways we should dispose of waste, and the correct bins to use for materials that can be composted, recycled or go to landfill.
Our lunch table and snack times are one platform for us to have these conversations with the children. Cooking in small groups is another. We also visit our ELC Community Garden most days to discover what is growing and living in there.
“This garden bed is empty, I wonder why?” – Ms Angel
“Maybe they finished growing.” – Mia
“Maybe they are dead.” – Oscar
“I don’t know – maybe they already got eaten.” – Mila Z
“Maybe a spider ate them.” – Mila H
These intentional conversations encourage the children to be curious and knowledgeable about their world. Our intention is for the children to develop an awareness that food can be grown at home and we can eat and enjoy foods that are in season. Currently, we have been enjoying and cooking with juicy peaches as there is an abundance of them on Mrs Mount’s tree! They are so fragrant and delicious, and such a delight for our senses.
Ally and her mum Sareet shared some photos of their vegetable garden and have promised to bring in some tomatoes and basil for us to cook with. If you have some home-grown produce that you would like to share with us, please bring it in to support our learning.
Thank you!
Mel Angel and Annabelle Redmond
Learning Community 1
News from Learning Community 2
“What is compost?”
“What is landfill?”
“Landfill are old things that you will never use again.” – Harriet
“Plastic bags.” – Alessia
“Compost is scraps.” – Armelle
“I have three bins at home: landfill, recycling and compost.” – Angelique
As the need for greater sustainability becomes more apparent globally, so does the importance of embedding this into our everyday. Through hands-on experiences and current research, we are empowering the children to develop the creativity and critical thinking skills necessary to make informed decisions for change, improving the quality of their lives and those of future generations. We intend for the children to understand that sustainable eating is about choosing foods that are healthful to our environment and our bodies.
The children have been introduced to new vocabulary and new pathways to explore how we can begin a journey of change. We want the children to learn that, as a community, we need to ‘reduce our food footprint’. We can do this by eating more plants, a variety of foods, preserved food, seasonal food and fewer foods with fats, sugars and salts. We can also eat nature’s packaging and make efforts to waste less food.
Experiences that have supported the learning this week include:
- looking through bins; are the correct items in the bin?
- experiments with compost bags, plastic bags and vegetables
- researching seasonal foods
- cooking with produce from the ELC Community Garden
- quantifying our waste
We want to ensure we are developing global citizens who understand that people make choices based on their knowledge, and the actions they take as a result do make a difference.
You are welcome to join us and your children in our classrooms to engage in dialogue as we work together to act for sustainable futures for all.
Leanne Williams, Nell Tierney and Laura Reiters
Learning Community 2
Absences in the ELC
Student Absences
Please notify the School via one of the following methods for late arrivals/early departures and absences, ensuring a reason for the absence is included.
Text: 0428 601 957 (save to phone contacts as SPGS)
Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Phone: 8334 2200 or phone the relevant room as per the contact list below.
Feel free to also include the relevant room teacher when sending via email.
ELC Room Contacts:
Bell Yett – 8155 5777
Ferguson – 8155 5776
Hallett – 8155 5775
Stonyfell – 8155 5778
Sun Safety in the ELC
Each day that your child attends the ELC, please ensure that they bring a broad-brimmed hat. If you do not have an ELC uniform hat, we ask that you pack another broad-brimmed hat for your child to wear at ELC. As we are in the warmer months, it is extremely important that we adhere to our policies and procedures. If your child does not have a hat, they will be asked to play under the shaded areas or indoors.
Please note that sunscreen application is also being undertaken regularly at the ELC; if your child requires an alternative sunscreen, please provide this to your child’s teacher. We also ask that your child wears their correct ELC uniform, and refrains from wearing dresses or singlets where the shoulders are exposed. Appropriate footwear is also required and we ask that children wear sneakers or sandals that have a backing to them.
Children’s Lunch Boxes
It is important that your child’s lunches are prepared and stored safely to avoid the risk of food poisoning. Keep pre-made lunch boxes in the fridge until they are ready to be packed into your child’s bag. We ask that you pack a frozen ice block/ice pack in your child’s lunch box to keep food cold. Please consider healthy, safe, lunch box alternatives such as fruits and vegetables, and please ensure your child has a drink bottle filled with water each day they attend ELC. Our staff can refill the bottles if required throughout the day.
ELC Immunisation Policy
Under the Government’s No Jab No Pay policy, families must meet immunisation requirements to receive the Child Care Subsidy. Further information is available from the Department of Health by clicking here.
Children with high risk conditions, as well as children who are not immunised against them, may be excluded from the ELC in accordance with the ‘Staying Healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services’ guidelines. Please refer to our Exclusion Policy for further information.
Common illnesses requiring exclusion include:
Influenza
Chicken Pox
Conjunctivitis
Diarrhoea
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
High Temperature
Infectious Hepatitis
Measles
Meningitis
Mumps
Rubella (German Measles)
Scabies
Scarlet Fever
School Sores (Impetigo)
Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
Vomiting
Whooping Cough