News from Learning Community 2
Building Independence: Helping Your Child Learn to Care for Themselves
At ELC, we place a strong focus on supporting children to develop the skills they need to care for themselves and become more independent. These everyday tasks, like putting on shoes, packing away belongings, washing their hands, or helping with mealtime might seem small, but they play a big role in shaping a child’s confidence, resilience, and sense of identity. When children are encouraged and supported to do things for themselves, they begin to understand that they are capable and trusted, which boosts their self-esteem and supports all areas of their development. These early experiences also lay the foundation for decision-making and problem-solving skills that children will carry with them throughout life.
This approach is closely linked to Outcome 1 of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), which highlights the importance of children developing a strong sense of identity. By taking on age-appropriate responsibilities, children feel secure, respected, and valued. They start to see themselves as active participants in their world—not just in their learning but in the everyday routines that help them grow. As children practice these self-help skills, they also learn to make choices, understand routines, solve problems, and take pride in their accomplishments. These experiences help children develop a sense of ownership over their actions and build meaningful connections with the people around them.
We encourage families to continue supporting independence at home, even through small daily routines, like encouraging your child to pack their own bag, choose their clothes, pour their own drink, or help set the table. These moments might seem ordinary, but they are powerful learning opportunities that help children feel capable, responsible, and confident. Together, by supporting independence both at home and in care, we are giving children the tools they need for lifelong wellbeing, success, and a strong, positive sense of self.
Laura Doval Cifre
Learning Community 2 (Erindale) Teacher
Science Week in the ELC: Decoding the Universe
The ELC was alive with wonder, curiosity, and discovery as we celebrated Science Week under the theme “Decoding the Universe.” Science Week created rich opportunities for children to think like scientists, observing, predicting, testing, and reflecting. Children engaged in provocations that encouraged them to make sense of the world through play, experimentation, and collaboration.
We were fortunate to be led by Melissa Lee, our School STEM Innovator, who prepared and facilitated captivating science experiences for the children. These provocations were designed to ignite children’s natural curiosity and were later shared with families at pick-up time, offering joyful opportunities for parents and children to explore science side by side. Melissa was joined in the Piazza by Craig Byrne (Head of Science) and Craig Perkins (Science Teacher), where together they engaged with families and supported children in hands-on science experiences. Their involvement enriched the celebration and highlighted the strong culture of STEM learning across our whole School community.
Children delighted in chemical reactions that transformed ordinary substances into vibrant rainbows, observing how natural colours shift when combined with different elements. This hands-on chemistry linked directly to nature’s processes, fostering both scientific understanding and aesthetic appreciation. With magnetic wands, children investigated the invisible forces of magnetism. They were invited to hypothesise, test, and reflect, making meaningful connections between their discoveries and the wider world, such as the Earth’s magnetic field guiding bird migration.
A true highlight was seeing families and children explore side by side. Parents and carers became co-researchers – predicting, questioning, and wondering with their children. These shared experiences strengthened our community of learners and affirmed that learning is most powerful when it is collaborative.
Beyond these provocations, children also engaged with simple machines and coding technologies including Bee-Bots, Lego Coding Express, and Ozobots. Digital microscopes offered another layer of discovery, enabling children to see everyday objects in extraordinary ways. These experiences connected play, technology, and problem-solving, showing how STEM learning can be meaningfully woven into the early years.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF V2.0) reminds us that “children are confident and involved learners when they develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.” Science Week embodied this principle, providing authentic opportunities for children to question, imagine, test ideas, and construct knowledge.
Science Week reminded us that the universe is full of mysteries waiting to be explored and in the ELC, those explorations begin with the natural curiosity of our youngest learners.
Exploring the Hundred Languages in the Atelier
At our ELC Playgroup, children and their families were immersed in a rich sensory experience in the atelier. The space was thoughtfully curated to invite exploration of mark making, with the floor transformed into a canvas of textured papers and a variety of graphic tools.
Children moved freely, engaging with surfaces, tools, and their own bodies—discovering how movement, touch, and creativity come together in expressive encounters. Families joined in the joy of discovery, witnessing how the environment becomes a co-learner in each child’s journey.
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