News from Learning Community 1
The Power of Play in Building Early Literacy
In Learning Community 1 this week, children explored books in many forms through read-aloud sessions, storytelling, dress-ups, and creative activities inspired by their favourite characters. These experiences not only brought great joy but also reinforced a core belief we hold at the ELC: Children learn literacy best through play.
We are deeply committed to supporting our children’s development in every way, and one of the most important foundations for lifelong learning is early literacy. We have just finished celebrating Book Week, which was a wonderful opportunity to immerse children in the world of stories, imagination, and language.
As part of our current inquiry, ‘Wellbeing Fosters Care’, we have been using a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction, to spark children’s curiosity and deepen their understanding. Titles such as Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas, Sebastian Lives in a Hat by Thelma Catterwell, and What Does All My Food Do? by Shell Stewart have supported rich inquiry and play-based learning experiences in the classroom.
Families play a crucial role in fostering literacy development. You can support your child by engaging in everyday conversations, reading together regularly, telling stories, singing songs, and encouraging imaginative play. Involve your child in simple tasks that use language such as writing shopping lists or birthday cards, labelling drawings, or describing their day. These small moments create meaningful opportunities for language growth and early literacy learning.
Together, by nurturing a love for language, stories, and play, we are laying a strong foundation for your child’s literacy journey.
Kathy McCabe, Nell Tierney and Annabelle Redmond
Learning Community 1 Teachers
Fathers and Treasured Friends’ Afternoon Tea
Dear ELC Families,
St Peter’s Girls’ ELC is delighted to be celebrating Fathers and Treasured Friends who play a special and significant role in the lives of our children. Please join us for this important occasion.
Make your bookings by Monday 1 September.
Join us on Friday 5 September
2pm in the ELC
We hope to see you there!
Parent-Teacher Conversations
Dear ELC Families,
Stonyfell, Erindale and Pathway
Bookings for ELC Parent-Teacher Conversations are open and will be held on Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17, and Monday 22 of September (Weeks 9 and 10).
Bell Yett Families
Bookings for Bell Yett families will be taking place on Monday 8 and Wednesday 10 September (Week 8), as well as Wednesday 24 September (Week 10).
These are designated 15-minute, face-to-face time slots to meet with your child’s teacher. Bookings can be made via myLink and will close on Friday 12 September.
This time provides us with the opportunity to discuss your child’s learning journey and share significant moments, and the documentation of their engagement. From these discussions, future goals for your child may be created to ensure they reflect the perspectives of parents and educators.
How to access myLink for bookings:
- Log in to the myLink parent portal using your username (your ID number) and password. Your ID number was sent to you in a previous email. If you don’t know your password, use the link provided on the login page.
- Once you have logged in and arrive on the Welcome page, click the ‘Community Portal’ tab in the top menu, then click the ‘Interviews’ tab and select the required cycle. You can log in and change your booking any time up to 5pm on Friday 12 September 2025.
If you require myLink assistance, please contact the IT Helpdesk via helpdesk@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au or 08 8334 2227.
2026 Enrolments for the ELC
Dear Families,
We currently have an extensive waitlist for St Peter’s Girls’ ELC. Therefore, as we prepare for Term 1, 2026 enrolments, we are reaching out to confirm any changes to your child’s attendance.
If you would like to:
- Request additional days for Term 1, 2026 (subject to availability)
- Reduce or change your current days, or
- Confirm that your child will be finishing at the ELC at the end of the Term 4, 2026
Please notify Sarah Elliott via selliott@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au by Tuesday 2 September 2025. Please note that if you do not require any changes to your child’s bookings, their current booked days will carry through to 2026.
This information is essential as we finalise enrolments and offer places for Term 1, 2026 and beyond. We endeavour to accommodate all requests for changes; however, availability is limited due to our extensive waitlist. Any change of day requests received after Tuesday 2 September 2025 will be placed on a waitlist.
Your prompt response is greatly appreciated, and we thank you for your continued support.
Warm regards,
Liz Schembri
Director of Early Learners’ Centre