In this edition
Dear Families
As the year approaches its finale, I thought I would outline what you can expect from the teachers in terms of academic reporting. The portfolio is our valuable vehicle for academic tracking. Each semester, the teachers write a piece that sits at the end of the portfolio summarising your child’s progress during the six month period. Several work samples and anecdotes that particularly connect to your child’s progress, telling the story of how they have moved along a pathway of learning, are included before the summary piece to outline evidence of learning.
The teachers have worked extremely hard this year to be more purposeful in their gathering of data and more specific in their writing up of the summary pieces. Reference is made to the skills and concepts that have been developed and enhanced through the intentional experiences offered day-to-day and the best examples that demonstrate the intention are shared with you in the portfolio. These examples outline the progress your child has made.
Most of you were fortunate to have a Parent-Teacher Conversation at the end of Term 3 and would be familiar with the process I am explaining. The portfolios will be sent home at the end of the year and, together with your child, you can share the wonderful progress that has been made. We prefer to reference the learning rather than just fill the portfolio up with happy photos; we hope you understand our intent.
In addition, at the end of this year, we have a large number of children leaving Learning Community 2 to commence Reception in 2021. These children will receive Statements of Learning that will inform you in summary of your child’s overall progress. This supports the transition to school process.
Next week, this formal Reception transition process begins both with our own St Peter’s Girls’ Reception students as well as other students moving into different schools. We work extremely hard to support all children and families. Please ask me for help, advice or let me know the ways in which I can assist you in this process. I am very happy and delighted to support you. The teachers and I have a great sense of pride for our students as they prepare to enter their next chapter of learning.
We have some important events approaching as we near the end of the year, which we always look forward to. Please ensure you have marked these dates in your calendars.
Kate Mount
Director of Early Learning
Important Dates
Monday 9 November: Reception Transition Visits commence
Friday 20 November: End of Year Celebration, 5pm
Thursday 3 December: Learning Community 2 Farewell Afternoon Tea, 2.30pm
Friday 4 December: Last day of Term 4
Monday 7 – Friday 18 December: Vacation Care
End of Year Celebration
We invite you to join us on Friday 20 November on the School’s Chiverton Lawns at 5pm for the ELC End of Year Celebration.
We encourage families to bring a picnic rug and basket and set up your space on the lawns.
Children are requested to arrive by 5.20pm and be settled in their family picnic place. Singing will commence at 5.30pm.
The children are invited to wear their party clothes or a touch of Christmas. A sausage sizzle, drinks and cupcakes are available to purchase upon registration.
Register your family by Monday 16 November by clicking here.
Reconciliation Action Plan Celebration
We are extremely proud to have had our Reconciliation Action Plan approved by Narragunnawali, the official body for this process. This is often referred to as a ‘RAP’.
It requires us to meet the goals we have set for ourselves, which include actively embedding Aboriginal perspectives in our work through meaningful relationships, rituals and learning experiences. We are fortunate to work regularly with Kaurna elder Tamaru who guides us.
We begin each day with an Acknowledgement to Country, and several of the songs we have composed with Ned include Kaurna language so we can ensure all children who join our Centre have the opportunity to learn language in a consistent and engaging way.
We explore Kaurna symbols and stories through materials such as clay, paint and loose parts, and learn about traditional approaches to sustainable living through our visits to Ferguson Conservation Park. Kaurna language and culture are at the heart of everything we do.
Kate Mount and Mel Angel
Songbirds Spotted in Ferguson Park
The ELC staff were delighted to share our ‘Songs in Ferguson Park’ morning with so many families. What a special gathering this was! Not only was it a celebration of our first real opportunity to come together as a community since March, but it was a celebration of the wonderful partnership in music between the ELC children, staff and Ned Baulderstone.
Ned has a very special songwriting talent. He is able to take the key learning statements and energy from the children and transform this into a song. The ‘Rubbish Bin Rap’ is one great example that enables music and lyrics to support us to remember which bin the rubbish goes in. He is definitely a very popular ELC visitor and we are excited to announce that Ned will be working with our Music teacher Courtney Sandford to support our End of Year Celebration.
“ELC friends, families and team, thank you for having me along to share community songs. It was so much fun and great to meet all of the families. You could feel the love around was very strong.” — Ned Baulderstone
Thank you to the Friends of the ELC for supplying our morning tea and coffee.
We were overwhelmed that so many of you came – what a special community we have!
Kate Mount
Director of Early Learning
Safety of Our Children
We are continually focusing on the safety of our children. This week as the warmer weather set in, we became concerned that some families were choosing to leave the siblings in the car when coming in to collect their ELC child. We urge you to please take the extra minute and bring siblings in with you.
The safety of our children and the laws around this are paramount. Please click here to read supporting documentation.
来自黄老师的信息
亲爱的家长朋友们，
在这一年即将结束的时候，我们会总结一下老师们如何来完成孩子的学术成绩报告。学习档案是我们追踪孩子们学习成果的宝贵工具。每个大学期，老师都会总结孩子的进步，这份总结会放在的学习档案的最后，学习档案里包含了过去六个月的点点滴滴。那些平时被收集的信息会被放在总结文章的前面，这些数据也是和孩子们学习进展密切相关的例子和轶事，讲述他们是如何在学习的道路上取得进步。
老师们在今年尤其努力，她们在收集数据的时候力求更加有目的性，在总结的时候更加具体化。我们可以了解到孩子们在日常精心准备的学习过程中，已经发展和增强的技能和理解，并在学习文档中与您分享展示最好的例子。这些例证可以让您了解到您孩子所取得的进步。
我们许多家长朋友有幸在第三学期结束的时候参与了与老师的一对一对话，你们会熟悉我们刚才所谈到的内容。这些学习档案将在年底发回给你们，你们可以和你的孩子一起分享已经取得的进步。我们更愿意与您分享孩子们的学习情况，而不是仅仅只是用照片填满学习档案，我们希望你能理解我们的用心。
此外，我们还有许多孩子即将离开学习社区二，将于2021年开始上学。这些孩子会收到学习报告，这些报告会让您了解孩子的整体进步情况。这有助于幼小衔接。
这个正式幼小衔接将在下周开始，针对升入我们自己圣彼得女校的学前班和要去其他学校的学生。在这一过程中，我们会尽全力为孩子们和家庭提供协助。如果你有任何问题，请向我们园长寻求帮助、建议或任何可以支持您的方式。我们将很高兴提供帮助。我们的园长和老师们为我们的学生感到非常自豪，因为他们正准备进入学习的下一个篇章。
我们接下来有一些重要的活动，请确保您已在您的日历上标记这些日期。
园长
Kate Mount
Emma works in Learning Community 2 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am – 5pm.
Sustainability in the ELC
Supporting Healthy and Sustainable Mindsets
Last week, we had some leftover fruit from morning tea so, instead of wasting it, the Learning Community 2 friends decided to transform it into some delicious fruit smoothies.
The children added the different fruits to the blender and watched as they transformed into a delicious drink once whizzed together. This was such a fantastic learning opportunity, presenting the children with thoughts around healthy eating and waste management. They were able to identify two benefits from this experience: a healthy drink to enjoy and no waste!
We are continually encouraging the children to think with a sustainable mindset – well done Learning Community 2!
Green and Clean Question of the Day: How can we use leftover fruit?
Staff Spotlight
Bethany joined our ELC team this year in Learning Community 1. She arrived with an eagerness to learn alongside our established team. She brings with her a strong pedagogy of working alongside children with their inquiry and is particularly interested in our learning of Kaurna culture. Bethany has strong leadership skills and has been a great support during our Extended Hours Care program. She has advanced skills in pottery which she has transferred into her work with children in clay experiences.
What is your teaching background?
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education. I have loved gaining experience in the early years over the past few years by working within a number of Early Learning Centres in Adelaide.
What is your favourite part of working at St Peter’s Girls’ ELC?
The big thing that has stood out to me since commencing at St Peter’s Girls is the Learning Community model. The freedom and flow of the children’s day is beautiful to watch. It’s amazing to be able to work so closely with a number of educators across the rooms.
What makes the St Peter’s Girls’ ELC special?
The welcoming and inviting feel that surrounds the Centre is my favourite thing about our ELC. From families, to educators, to friends. Everyone feels safe, welcome and special at our ELC. It’s a place full of love!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time with my family and friends as much as possible. On the weekend, you’ll find me walking my dog, out for coffee or gardening at home. I’m an outdoors girl!
News from Learning Community 1
Over the first few weeks of Term 4, there have been enticing smells drifting from the ELC kitchen as the children in Learning Community 1 have begun exploring different spices in baking.
Frequently, we observe children in the curated play kitchen inviting one another for lunch or dinner, or a cup of tea, sitting together and sharing in their imaginary food creations. The play kitchen is a permanent set-up in either the Bell Yett or Stonyfell room across the year as it is considered a ‘magnet space’, a space that is always humming with activity and deep engagement. We have embraced the joy that this space brings the children and have transitioned into the ‘big kitchen’ to begin cooking and baking with real ingredients.
As we quickly approach Christmas, we have begun discussing the unique traditions or rituals that our families celebrate during this special time of year. Using recipes from a Swedish cookbook, we have been experimenting with tastes that are generally unfamiliar to many of the children including cloves, cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. These spices are common in many traditional Christmas recipes. We have received varied responses! So far with these ingredients, we have baked biscuits, small buns and have even created our own chai tea which was surprisingly popular.
Cooking and baking experiences are rich in mathematical learning opportunities for young children. Our baking experiences have provided us with an opportunity to continue our mathematical focus on comparative language. Whilst intentionally planning for these experiences, we have carefully chosen ingredients that have allowed us to discuss:
- Which ingredients have a stronger or weaker smell or taste
- Which ingredient is heavier or lighter than another
- Which cookie is larger or smaller, or longer or shorter than another
We have loved witnessing the excitement the children feel when they enter the kitchen to join a baking experience, and the joy they feel when they can share their baking experiences from home. We invite you to share any simple recipes special to your family that we can explore together at ELC in the lead up to Christmas.
Mel Angel and Annabelle Redmond
Learning Community 1
News from Learning Community 2
Our Central Idea this term is, ‘Participating in the life of the community can bring joy’. We have begun revisiting the representations the children have created of the ELC Lizard and unpacking why they are important to us as members of this community. We have used many opportunities to create these meaningful connections including storytelling, matching games, symbol hunts, sand art and photography.
A particular favourite of the children has been using the sand as an encounter between graphic, play and storytelling. Drawing in sand is one of the most ancient artistic expressions. It has been natural for several different cultures, including the Kaurna people, to combine drawings, symbols and storytelling to express their identity and heritage.
The ELC sandpit is not only a place where children play, it is also a space where ideas and stories take shape. By inviting the children to recreate the lizard and its symbols, they have been exploring an exciting new medium to combine their drawing skills and their passion for storytelling.
The language of photography has exposed a different way for the children to express themselves and make meaning of their ideas. The camera is a tool for communication but also for creativity. Photography is the most perfect medium to enable children to give expression to a unique view of the world and value their perspectives. It enables children to represent their ideas and give voice to their theories. Recent research has proved that memory is constructed from still images. This means that by focusing the camera on key happenings, we can help reinforce and consolidate children’s experiences and learning.
We hope that the spaces and places treasured by the ELC Lizard will be memories that children hold forever and become their narrative of their time here at St Peter’s Girls’ ELC.
Nell Tierney and Laura Reiters
Learning Community 2
Find Out What Happens Throughout
the Day at ELC
The ELC Learning Community Home Page is a dynamic online sharing space that invites you to participate in the communities’ learning as it happens. We use this tool to communicate important information with families and provide a window into the children’s life at the ELC, as educators share documentation of teaching, specialist lessons and spontaneous moments.
Accessing myLink for the first time:
- Visit https://mylink.stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
- To set your password, click the link located below the sign in section
- Your user name was emailed to you upon your child’s commencement (see Helpdesk contact details below if you cannot source your user name)
- Enter your unique user name, click ‘Next’
- Enter the security code sent to your mobile
- Enter the password you would like to use and press submit
- Return to the login screen at https://mylink.stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au to access myLink
- Several instructional videos are available via the Welcome page if you click on the ‘HELP’ menu tab
Accessing the Learning Community Home Page through myLink:
- Access myLink as per the above instructions
- Click on the ‘MYLINK HOME’ tab
- Click on your child’s name tab
- Under ‘Class Contacts’, click on the ELC room name (you may need to enter your user name and password again)
If you have any issues accessing or navigating myLink, please contact the IT Helpdesk via helpdesk@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au or 8334 2227.
ELC’s Online Etiquette Policy:
Please note that the ELC Learning Community Home Page and ELC News contain images and videos of other children. We therefore ask that you do not copy or share images or videos, especially on social media, if they contain other children.
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.
Please 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
ELC Immunisation Policy
Under the Government’s No Jab No Play policy, families must meet immunisation requirements to attend the ELC and receive the Child Care Subsidy. Families are required to provide all approved immunisation records to the ELC. Further information is available by clicking here.
Children who are suffering from illnesses such as those listed below must be excluded from ELC in line with our Exclusion Policy.
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