Dear Families,
We are delighted to welcome our children and families back to St Peter’s Girls’ ELC for the 2026 school year, commencing on Wednesday 28 January. We hope your holiday season was filled with many wonderful moments and memories.
We warmly welcome our new children and families joining our St Peter’s Girls’ community. We are thrilled to have you at our Centre and look forward to developing meaningful connections that will support your child to thrive within a rich, nurturing learning environment.
Vacation Care
I would like to thank Wolita Harding, Valentina Fernandes, Catherine Jiang, and our Vacation Care team for their passion and dedication during the holiday period. It has been wonderful to see the children so deeply engaged in rich learning experiences that not only inspired their curiosity, but also nurtured their sense of connection and belonging.
Key Dates for 2026
We are excited to share the following important dates for your calendars:
- Erindale Teaching and Learning Evening: Tuesday 27 January, 6:30pm (Erindale families only)
- Welcome to 2025 at Saints Girls: Friday 6 February, 6:30pm (previously known as Drinks on the Lawns)
- Teaching and Learning Evening (Learning Community 1, Pathway Hallett and Pathway Ferguson families): Tuesday 10 February, 6:30pm
- ELC Twilight Family Picnic: Friday 20 February, 5:00pm
- Parent–Teacher Conversations: 24, 25 and 30 March
- ELC Coffee Van: Thursday 2 April, from 7:30am
- Vacation Care: 7–17 April
(Please note the ELC is closed on Friday 3 April and Monday 6 April for public holidays)
Welcoming New Staff
We are thrilled to be welcoming several new staff members to the ELC this school year.
Learning Community 1
We warmly welcome:
- Lu Gan
- Rachel Mushabisa
- Jess Bartel
Learning Community 2
We are pleased to welcome:
- Elisabeth Ordynski
- Edel Lilley
We are also delighted to welcome Chloe Skoss back to the ELC and to have Stasia Vigor joining us from the Junior School.
Handbook
We are pleased to share that the ELC Handbook is now available in an electronic format. This valuable resource provides an overview of our day-to-day practices and outlines how we support learning and wellbeing in the ELC. It also includes contact details for your child’s teacher, key dates for the school year, and direct links to important forms, including those related to the administration of medication.
You can access our 2026 ELC Handbook here.
Reminders for the New School Year
Flashing Shoes in the ELC
We ask that children do not attend the ELC wearing shoes with flashing or light-up features. Some children have medical sensitivities to flashing lights, and it is important that we minimise potential risks within our shared learning environment.
If a child arrives wearing flashing shoes, we will need to ask that these are removed during the day. We encourage families to choose footwear without light-up features for attendance at the ELC.
We appreciate your understanding as we work in partnership to create a safe and inclusive environment for all children.
Communication
We ask all families to communicate any changes to medications, routines, and/or authorised pick-up arrangements to their child’s classroom teacher.
Medication
If your child requires medication for allergies, asthma, or other conditions, please provide an up-to-date action plan and in-date medication. All medication will be administered by the School Nurse at the Health Centre.
Important information regarding medications and creams
In line with recent changes to regulations from the Education Standards Board of South Australia, we would like to remind families that all medications, sunscreen, and nappy change creams brought into the ELC must be supplied with a pharmacy label. This label must include your child’s full name, date of birth, method of administration, and application instructions, even if the product is an over-the-counter item.
In addition, if your child requires prescribed medication, the medication provided must exactly match what is stated on the medical management plan. This applies regardless of the active ingredient. For example, if a doctor has prescribed Ventolin, Ventolin must be supplied, as a generic alternative does not align with the medical plan.
These requirements ensure we are meeting regulatory obligations and, most importantly, supporting the safe and accurate administration of medications for all children.
Parking – Friday 20 February
Please note that on Friday 20 February there will be approximately five coaches parked on Hallett Road to transport students to the swimming carnival. This may impact parking availability between 7:30–8:00am and again around 4:00pm.
Families are welcome to use the School car park on Stonyfell Road as an alternative during these times. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Uniform
A reminder that the ELC uniform is compulsory. This beautifully designed collection provides children with a smart, cohesive look and supports a smooth morning routine. All items are available from the School Shop.
We ask that all children’s clothing is clearly named. Children are required to wear appropriate enclosed footwear for active and safe play, including excursions into Ferguson Conservation Park.
Sun Safe Policy
We have a Sun Safe Policy in place to minimise health risks associated with sun exposure. We ask that families support this policy by:
- Applying sunscreen before your child arrives at the ELC
- Dressing your child in the ELC uniform, including the ELC bucket hat, to ensure appropriate sun protection
- Understanding that children not wearing a hat will be required to play in shaded areas
If your child has sensitivities to the SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen provided by the Centre, please supply a suitable alternative for use throughout the day.
Absences
We ask all families to ensure that children are signed in and out each day so attendance records remain accurate. These protocols support consistency and prioritise children’s safety and wellbeing.
If your child will be absent, please notify the School via:
- Text: 0428 601 957
- Email: attendance@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au
- Phone: 8334 2200
Please include your child’s ELC room name and the reason for absence (required for government reporting).
ELC Room Contact Numbers:
- Stonyfell: 8155 5778
- Bell Yett: 8155 5780
- Erindale: 8155 5776
- Pathway Hallett: 8155 5250
- Pathway Ferguson: 8155 5775
We look forward to a year of growth, learning, and endless possibilities as we work in partnership with you to support your child to flourish.
Liz Schembri
Director of Early Learners’ Centre
Please join us on Tuesday 10 February at 6.30pm for the Teaching and Learning Evening at the ELC.
The evening will start with a gathering in the School Chapel, where families will have a chance to meet the Director. We will discuss how St Peter’s Girls’ ELC nurtures each child’s learning and development so that they thrive and reach their full potential.
Later on, you will be able to visit your child’s room to see the environment and gain a better understanding of the teaching and learning within our ELC context. Parents and guardians will also hear from the teaching team about how we plan and implement our units of inquiry.
As this is a formal presentation, we recommend parents/guardians only attend this event. Please also note this event is for all families, excluding families and children in the Erindale room.
Tuesday 10 February 2026
6.30pm, St Peter’s Girls’ ELC
Meet in the School Chapel for an initial gathering.