Dear Families
Hearing laughter in the Centre is so joyful. There has been much of this over the past weeks. In my role, I have the privilege of moving between the rooms and learning spaces, either observing or participating in the children’s learning. In recent weeks, I have seen such active engagement as the children so freely embrace their experiences alongside their educators and friends. I have noticed friendships maturing and engagement high. I reflect alongside the teachers about how our current situation has brought us closer within the ELC, with boundaries of rooms being removed. Our much-desired Learning Community model is now in full flight, the vision that was intended when the idea was born.
The teachers agree with me that this crossover of relationships within our extended spaces has enhanced children’s confidence and depth of friendship. The maturity and independence required with our new drop-off procedure has seen transformations in many children as they now begin their days so confidently. Our pedagogy is stronger than ever in this reimagined period, and we hope that through our ELC news editions, you can see for yourselves the richness in our everyday life at ELC.
It has been wonderful welcoming back so many of our ELC friends over the past weeks. Our ELC family is coming back together again and this is definitely something to celebrate.
We are in the midst of commencing our Semester 2 transitions, with our Mid-Year Reception girls gearing up for their next step. Their visits commence very soon. In the meantime, this group has been working extremely closely with Kirsty Porplycia to ensure they are well prepared for school life. Our new families have received their offers and invitations for their visits to the ELC, and many LC1 students will be moving into LC2 after the holidays; these letters will be distributed to parents shortly.
We love our daily conversations with you all when you come to ELC and look forward to these continuing as the term progresses. We are so appreciative of our ELC family, and this period of time has really demonstrated the values of a very strong community, one which I am immensely proud to lead.
Kind regards
Kate Mount
Director of Early Learning
What’s Happening in Learning Community 2
In Learning Community 2, the children have embraced the need to be resourceful, to think creatively, to generate ideas and to solve problems. With our strong focus on Literacy and Mathematics, we are challenging the children’s thinking and exploring new and exciting concepts in order to prepare them for their transition to Reception.
We are encouraging children to reflect on their work, to be open to feedback and to have another attempt where possible. While we teach the children of today, we are developing their social, academic and emotional toolkit that will support them tomorrow and beyond.
Important Dates
Monday 25 May: Reconciliation Week
Tuesday 26 May: ELC Reconciliation Celebration
Monday 1 June: Mid-Year Reception Transition Visits commence
Tuesday 23 – Thursday 25 June: ELC Class Photos
Staffing News
The ELC farewells Hallett Room teacher Leanne Williams, who has recently resigned from her role. Leanne has been with us for many years as a valued member of the ELC community and we thank her for her contribution to the Centre. We wish Leanne all the best for her future endeavours.
ELC Friends Welcome New Drop-Off Procedure
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your flexibility, understanding and support with our new drop-off and collection procedure. The children have adapted so well and we continue to see them grow in confidence each and every day. Below are just a few of the encouraging words that staff have received from our community over the past weeks:
‘Thanks again for the absolutely wonderful job you’re doing in running this amazing centre of excellence in learning for our little ones.’
‘We feel blessed to be a part of the Saint Peter’s Girls’ ELC community. Our son attends the centre full time and has developed incredible bonds with both the staff and his peers. It is because of these relationships that the new drop-off system has been such a success. Kate and her team have created an environment that is warm and loving and I can see the wonderful impact that our son’s time at ELC has on his well-being and development.’
‘It gives me great comfort that our children are happy, settled and in a very supportive environment! They love going to ELC and are so keen to get there in the mornings.’
Pictured above: Amelie is greeted on arrival by ELC friend Ashwin
Unpacking Concepts Through Music
As a musician and songwriter, Ned’s role is not to teach music but to support the educators in teaching complex concepts through music. Currently, Ned is working alongside the children and educators in Learning Community 1 to unpack the mathematical concept of noticing size and describing measurable attributes using comparative language.
In music, we have sounds that are louder, quieter, harder and softer. Using their hands to clap and to pat the soft carpet, as well as using instruments they have made with recycled materials, many of the children have been able to identify and articulate the differences. We will continue this each week and build their mathematical vocabulary in this creative, playful and engaging way.
A Visit to Year 11 Science
The ELC was delighted when the School’s Head of Science, Craig Byrne, invited a small group of Learning Community 2 friends to partake in some activities led by his Year 11 Psychology students.
We had the privilege of working in the new Science Centre and we were able to investigate inside one of the laboratories. Opportunities such as this are a fantastic way for us to further strengthen our relationship with the School. Our friends were thrilled to be involved, and shared enthusiastically about their experiences.
School Treasure Hunt for Mid-Year Receptions
Last week, our budding Mid-Year Receptions brainstormed some School landmarks and items that they might find when they start Reception as a Saints Girl.
They checked items off their hand-drawn lists as they discovered them on the School grounds. These included books, their new classroom, lockers for their School bags, the playground and buses.
The girls were excited to explore the grounds and are counting down to the official start of their schooling journey in July.
Visit our Learning Community Home Page
The ELC Learning Community Home Page is a dynamic online sharing space that invites you to participate in our communities’ learning as it happens. It provides a window into the children’s investigations and research at the ELC, and has proven to be a successful platform for families to spark conversation and dialogue with their children at home.
We encourage you to access the Learning Community Home Page through the St Peter’s Girls’ myLink Parent Portal. Instructions can be found further below. We post regular updates about our experiences and activities, so log-on regularly to find out more about your child’s learning.
Health Reminders
We thank our community for being so responsible with your children’s health. We continue to follow stringent hygiene and cleaning practices to ensure the health and wellbeing of our children and staff.
Please ensure you are communicating any health concerns to the ELC staff, and if your child is displaying any of the following symptoms, please keep them at home until they have been cleared by a medical practitioner.
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
Thank you for your support and cooperation.
How Can We Support You?
Although some changes have occurred to our arrival and departure system, we remind you that we are here to assist you. Please ensure that you pass on any important messages when dropping off or picking up your child.
We are enjoying the conversations we are having with families and encourage you to utilise our email system if you don’t get the chance to speak with us upon arrival or departure.
Please see our key teachers’ availability and contact details below:
Kate Mount:
Tuesday – Friday kmount@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Annabelle Redmond (Learning Community 1):
Monday – Friday aredmond@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Mel Angel (Learning Community 1):
Monday – Friday mangel@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Kirsty Porplycia (Learning Community 2):
Monday – Wednesday kporplycia@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Laura Reiters (Learning Community 2):
Monday – Friday lreiters@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
Nell Tierney (Learning Community 2):
Thursday and Friday ntierney@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
来自黄老师的信息
亲爱的家长朋友们你们好，
伴着孩子们的笑声，我们愉快的开始了这个学期。在过去的几周里，孩子们自由地融入到他们的学习环境，在我们扩展的空间里，这种多层面互动，增强了孩子们的信心和深厚的友谊。在这样的环境下，老师和孩子们的关系也更加紧密了。我们渴望的学习社区模式正在起飞。
在新的接送方式下，孩子们已经慢慢变得成熟且独立，也正是如此，孩子们自信满满地开始了他们的每一天。我们的教学方法比以往更加强大，我们希望通过我们的ELC新闻，你们可以看到我们在ELC的丰富的日常生活。
令人高兴的是，在过去几周里，许多我们ELC的小朋友都回来了。也正如此，我们的老师团队也回归了。我们ELC的大家庭又团聚了，这绝对是值得庆祝的事。
我们的第三第四学期的年中小学学前班（Mid-Year Reception）过渡工作也要很快开始了。与此同时，Mrs Kirsty Porplycia老师和孩子们正在紧密的一同为这个过渡做好准备。我们的新家庭们也收到了通知书和邀请函，来参加小学阶段地过渡学习。在假期之后，许多学习一社区的小朋友将会转入学习二社区，这些通知信也会很快发出。
每当你们来到ELC的时候，我们很喜欢和您沟通交流。我们期待在接下来的学期里和您继续交流。我们十分感谢ELC的家庭们在这段时间共同建设这样一个紧密且坚强的社区环境。
Emma works in Learning Community 2 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am – 5pm.
Sustainability in the ELC
We have been visiting our Community Garden regularly to check on the growth of our plants. Last week, we observed that Tamaru’s native garden is thriving even though we haven’t been watering it. We discussed how we need to continue watering our winter vegetables even when it has been raining, but that native plants thrive on rain alone.
“Tamaru’s garden is growing from the rain; we don’t water it and it still grows.” — Emily
“We need to water the vegetable garden to keep it growing; it needs sun too.” — Poppy
“Native plants are in Ferguson Park”. — Luka
Green & Clean question of the day: Which plants can grow with only rain from the sky?
I-Spy ELC Friends on Saints Girls’ Instagram
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Saints Girls’ Instagram page, head over to @StPetersGirlsSchool and hit ‘follow’ to keep updated on life around the School and ELC.
Staff Spotlight
Haylee began with us two years ago as an 18 year old, kick-starting her career in Early Childhood Education. She has studied a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and is now studying her Diploma. Haylee brings a kind and calming presence to the Learning Community 2 spaces and fosters wonderful relationships with the children. It has been a privilege having Haylee start and progress in her career at the ELC.
Why are you passionate about working with children?
My passion for early learning stems from when I was a child. My childhood consisted of playing schools, where I would line up my dolls and other toys ready to commence the ‘school day’. In high school, I had a work experience placement at a local kindergarten which solidified my passion for educating children. Each child I have the opportunity to learn alongside teaches me something new each day that supports my professional growth as an educator.
What makes the St Peter’s Girls’ ELC special?
The St Peter’s Girls’ ELC provides such natural and organic learning experiences that support each child’s individual growth. The children are eager to learn and explore new perspectives within our community, and to delve into the resources that the ELC and surrounding environments have to offer. Ferguson Conservation Park provides the children with a tie to the land, an opportunity for their knowledge and learning to be enriched with natural and sustainable resources.
What are you most looking forward to this term in the ELC?
I am so grateful that the children from Learning Community 2 have such an enriched understanding about how we can practise sustainability in the ELC. Term 2 is such an exciting time for the children to develop an understanding around the way regular household recycling and landfill objects can be reused and repurposed in our daily creations. I am most excited to be creating alongside each child as they discover the limitless imagination they all possess.
News from Learning Community 1
Just like that, we find ourselves a month into Term 2 already. A term that has expected our ELC community to adapt, modify and find new rhythm.
The current circumstances have encouraged every one of us to reassess daily habits, make changes and to make the most of what we have. We’ve put a positive spin on this in the ELC and have challenged ourselves to transform this change into a learning opportunity. Our Central Idea for this term, ‘Resourcefulness can empower us to think creatively’, has obligated us to look differently at the resources in the ELC environments and to invent new life for them.
A discovery we quickly made together is that resourcefulness requires imagination. As we engage with many different materials, both natural and recycled, we have been asking each other:
“What else could this be?”
The imagination of a 2 or 3 year old has few inhibitions. We have witnessed a box of household recycling transform into instruments, and eventually into a daily orchestral performance. In Ferguson Conservation Park, we have seen sticks transform into School buses, paintbrushes and homes for millipedes. In our clay experiences, we have been growing our technique to build our own cups, plates and bowls for our home corner.
The reimagining of our resources has been contagious, unpredictable and exciting – even for the adults!
Reimagining materials requires the ability to think abstractly. This challenge has occupied the concentration of our learners, and we have seen our children engage in small groups for longer than ever before. The nature of their creations encourages them to collaborate and help each other. Alongside one another, they are developing the skills to design, test, review, and attempt again. Their confidence to share within a group has grown.
As educators, we are committed to making the most of the circumstances this term. There has been a huge amount of change in the lives of our ELC community. In amongst this change, it is affirming and comforting to know that when our children enter the ELC, we have ensured they are returning to continuity. They are with their friends and educators, continuing their special rituals, revisiting experiences in small groups and exploring the spaces and resources curated to spark imagination.
Mel Angel and Annabelle Redmond
Learning Community 1
News from Learning Community 2
“The box can be an aeroplane. These can be the wings (*flapping the sides). The people can sit inside.”— Luka
One of the most amazing things about being an educator is observing the way that children exercise their imagination and express themselves creatively. Children spend more time planning their creations than what we might think, as they actively search for resources that suit their ideas. They use these resources to make their ideas come to life.
Over the past few weeks, we have carefully watched how the children choose the best material that will represent their idea and thinking. We have supported the children to give value and time to the design process and visually represent their thinking before taking action.
“I pretended the box was a house. I was bringing the post”— Frankie
It has become increasingly apparent that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. We have encouraged the children to share their ideas in small and large groups. The opportunity for children to provide feedback to others based on their ideas has supported perspectives to shift or to be enhanced. As one child shares their ideas, it is often built upon by another.
To think creativity, we need to look again at what we normally take for granted. If we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. This has been enhanced as more children and educators re-enter the space and different perspectives are shared. This inquiry has created a flow-on effect, and there have been multiple entry points for all, no matter when they have returned. The children have invited participation from their peers and have happily revisited experiences, ensuring that we are all on this journey together. We have shared the joy together, as a community.
Kirsty Porplycia, 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.
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
Accessing the ELC Learning Community Home Page
The ELC Learning Community Home Page is a dynamic online sharing space that invites you to participate in the communities’ learning as it happens. It provides a window into the children’s life at the ELC, as educators share documentation of intentional 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’
- On the next screen, enter the security code that was 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.
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