News from Learning Community 2
Children in Learning Community 2 are excitedly finishing their month-long celebration celebrating Lunar New Year, which is the year of the Fire Horse. This special occasion provided many meaningful opportunities for children to explore our unit of inquiry, Welcoming environments can nurture relationships and build a strong sense of identity and community, by deepening their understanding of different cultures and the rich diversity that makes our community so special. For many of our students, this was a time where they felt immense pride in being able to share different parts of their unique culture. For children, being able to not only see themselves represented, but celebrated within their ELC community created a long-lasting sense of happiness and is a vital step in supporting them to feel as though they truly belong.
Through our inquiry approach, opportunities for targeted literacy and numeracy experiences have been interwoven across our explorations. Children have enjoyed unpacking the deep symbolism behind specific colours and why it is the ‘Year of the Horse.’ Through the language of mark making, children have studied traditional Chinese symbols and words and engaged in their own writing of these symbols. These intentional experiences have supported the development of children’s pre-writing skills by strengthening their pencil grip and improving their fine motor skills.
Additionally, we have enjoyed trying traditional dumplings made by our wonderful educator Catherine as well as watching and being involved in a tea ceremony. This Thursday we will welcome a group of elder woman with a passion for dancing who will share their traditional Chinese New Year dance and costumes with our ELC community.
Please come and see our wonderful front foyer in the ELC which celebrates the 2026 Lunar New Year and showcases the wonderful artworks of the children.
Edel Lilley, Stasia Vigor and Chloe Skoss
Learning Community 2 Teachers
Staff Spotlight: Trish Tynan
EAL/D – English as an Additional Language or Dialect
My name is Trish Tynan, and I am the EAL/D Specialist and Lead Teacher at St Peter’s Girls’ School, supporting children from Early Learning through to Year 12. As an educational expert, I feel privileged to work alongside families, educators and children to nurture each learner’s language journey.
Over the past 30 years, I’ve partnered with schools and families to support foundational English language acquisition. My background in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL), alongside my leadership experience, has helped shape inclusive and responsive teaching practices that reflect the diverse strengths of every learner.
I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself to all families, and explain my presence in working with staff and students in our Early Learners’ Centre. Importantly, at St Peter’s Girls’ School, we have an expert EAL/D team, and therefore the ELC community will also work regularly with Mrs. Annalisa Cecere who is a highly skilled and experienced EAL/D teacher.
At our ELC, our roles focus on building strong relationships with children and their families. We work closely with educators to provide small-group language experiences that are embedded in play, inquiry, and everyday interactions. This approach fosters a sense of belonging, honours children’s home languages and cultures, and supports each child’s transition into the wider school community.
Through our EAL/D Program, children:
- Develop functional English language skills to confidently engage with learning and daily routines
- Strengthen their social and emotional skills, supporting connection with peers and educators
- Build language for thinking, questioning, and expressing ideas within inquiry-based learning
- See their identities affirmed and celebrated through culturally responsive experiences
- Experience a strong sense of self and belonging within a caring and inclusive environment
I look forward to supporting your child to thrive!
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 |