News from Learning Community 1
This week we acknowledge Harmony Week, a special time to celebrate the diversity within our community and to nurture a sense of belonging for every child. We recognise children as capable social learners who build understanding through relationships, dialogue, and shared experience. Our learning environments are carefully curated with experiences set for educators to scaffold alongside children to explore respect, empathy and positive social skills.
Conflict is a natural part of learning within a community. Through action research developed in the ELC we have created a conflict resolution toolkit where children are taught skills using a shared language to help them navigate through challenges in play. This shared language is used within the whole ELC and empowers children to face challenge and safely find a solution before needing teacher intervention.
Storytelling plays an important role in our learning. ‘Pip & Posy, the Super Scooter’ by Axel Scheffler is a valuable learning tool we have been sharing this term. It’s a very relatable story of some key experiences in a child’s life including falling over and hurting yourself; taking someone else’s things; and looking after someone who is upset. It’s a perfect reflection of everyday life for a two and three year old and is very familiar to our children. It has evoked many feelings, thoughts and valuable moments for discussion including conversations about friendships, emotions, sharing and social interactions.
Scaffolding alongside children we ask them to model language such as, “Can I have a turn please?” If the answer is “no,” we guide them to extend this to, “Can I have a turn when you are finished please?” This small shift often transforms a stressful moment into a positive interaction where everyone feels satisfied. By consistently modelling and repeating this shared language throughout the day and across different learning environments, children gain valuable communication tools they can use independently during play. It encourages children to reflect on their own experiences, experiment using new language and skills and build understanding of different perspectives.
Together, these experiences support the development of strong social skills and instill values of respect, understanding, and community, laying foundations for children to grow as confident, caring, and connected learners.
Nell Tierney, Monique Gannon, Kathy McCabe and Liv Buttery
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Last Friday at the ELC, we concluded our Chinese New Year celebrations with a beautiful cultural dance performance.
Children were captivated by the dancers’ movements, traditional music, and vibrant costumes, deepening their exploration of body expression and symbolism through lanterns and paper umbrellas.
It was a joyful and meaningful way to honour Chinese culture and come together in harmony as a community.
Join us for the ELC Coffee Van
All ELC families are warmly invited to join us on the final day of Term 1 for a relaxed morning coffee.
Enjoy a complimentary coffee and a delicious hot cross bun while connecting with other families in our ELC community as we celebrate the end of a wonderful term.
Location: Lawns on the Chapel Path
Date: Thursday 2 April 2026
Time: 7.30am – 10.30am
Easter Activity for Pathway and Reception Children
At 8:45am our Pathway Ferguson and Hallett children and their parents are invited to join our Reception students and families for a special Easter activity.
This will be a lovely opportunity for our children to come together, connect with the School community and enjoy some festive fun.
Please register here for catering purposes. 2 adults per student.
ELC Vacation Care – Bookings Open Monday 16 March
School holidays are around the corner, so if you would like your child to attend ELC during this time, please click here to access our online booking form.
ELC Vacation Care will run from 7 to 17 April 2026. The ELC will be closed during the Easter long weekend, including Good Friday.
Our holiday planning builds and expands on the learning that has been happening across the term. Our Vacation Care leaders, Valentina Fernandes, LC1, and Catherine Jiang, LC2, plan closely with our Pedagogical Coordinator and classroom teachers so that they can implement engaging learning experiences that transition seamlessly into Vacation Care.
During Vacation Care, children are required to wear their ELC uniform to support consistency and continuity throughout the school year. Our ELC uniform provides a smart and cohesive look, simplifies the routine of getting dressed in the morning, and promotes a sense of belonging. Children will need to bring their hat, water bottle, and a change of clothes each day. A healthy morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and late snack will continue to be provided to children.
As ELC Vacation Care staffing and catering are based on bookings, please make your bookings by 4pm, Wednesday 1 April 2026 (Week 10). Due to limited spaces during ELC Vacation Care, please book early! Late bookings and changes after this date will incur a late booking fee.
*Please note that ELC Vacation care is strictly for ELC-enrolled children.
ELC Enrolment for Term 3, 2026
As we begin planning enrolments for Term 3, 2026 at St Peter’s Girls’ Early Learners’ Centre, we are reaching out to confirm whether there will be any changes to your child’s attendance.
Due to the significant demand for places and our current extensive waitlist, it is important that we have up-to-date information about families’ enrolment needs.
Please contact our enrolment team if you would like to:
- Request additional days for Term 3, 2026 (subject to availability)
- Reduce or change your child’s current booked days
- Confirm that your child will be finishing at the ELC at the end of Term 2, 2026
- Advise us if your child has turned four, and if only attending 2 days, which day you prefer for their third day of attendance
Please notify our enrolment team via elcenrolments@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au by Friday 20 March 2026.
If we do not hear from you, we will assume that your child’s current booked days will continue into Term 3.
This information is essential as we finalise enrolments and offer places for Term 3, 2026 and beyond. While we always endeavour to accommodate requests for changes, availability is limited due to the high demand for places. Any requests received after Friday 20 March 2026 will be placed on a waitlist.
We greatly appreciate your prompt response and thank you for your continued support of our ELC community.
Upcoming ELC Events
| Tuesday 24, Wednesday 25 and Monday 30 March | Parent-Teacher Conversations |
| Thursday 2 April | Coffee Van for ELC Families & Easter Activity for Pathway Children |
| Tuesday 7 – Friday 17 April | Vacation Care |