News from Learning Community 2
Enhancing Emotional Literacy in the Pathway Rooms
Challenges are an inevitable and necessary component of children’s development and journey to adulthood. Experiences such as starting school, moving homes and establishing new friendships can be understandably overwhelming. Everyday disappointments, social conflicts and transitions can also trigger discomfort. Children may express their distress by crying, seeking comfort, or withdrawing, which are all natural and effective forms of communication.
While children are learning to navigate these challenges and the associated emotions, parents and educators play an essential role in supporting them with a calm, reassuring presence. Through repeated instances of co-regulation with a trusted, regulated adult, children build the capacity and skills for self-regulation. Self-regulation is central to our capacity to manage our feelings and behaviour, develop strong relationships and enjoy a sense of wellbeing. Increased emotional intelligence has positive impacts on mental health, resilience, independence and academic outcomes.
This term, our Central Idea of ‘Wellbeing can foster care’ reflects the investment we are making into developing children’s emotional literacy. In the Pathway Ferguson and Hallett Rooms, we are exploring the Zones of Regulation®, The Colour Monster book and The Kimochis tools to support children’s understanding of feelings. Children are encouraged to notice their emotional states and physical cues throughout the day and identify triggers for their feelings and practical strategies to manage them. Through social games, mark-making, the language of loose parts and embodied learning experiences, the Pathway children are increasing their emotional vocabulary, ability to read facial expressions, and their understanding of the transformational and affective nature of feelings and behaviours. Empowering children with this socioemotional understanding supports not only their wellbeing, but also the development of independence, problem-solving skills and empathy.
Monique Gannon, Laren Taverna and Dot Kelly
Pathway Teachers
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.
Bookings are now Open for ELC Vacation Care!
Dear ELC Families,
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 29 September to 10 October. The ELC will be closed on Monday 6 October for the public holiday.
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, Thursday 25 September 2025 (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.
Government Regulations – Personal Electronic Devices
Dear Families,
At St Peter’s Girls’ ELC, the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of your children remain at the heart of everything we do. As you may have seen in recent media coverage, the early years sector has been under increased scrutiny following distressing allegations in some services. We want to reassure you that child safety has always been foundational at St Peter’s Girls ELC, alongside delivering high-quality learning and care.
From 1 September 2025, new government regulations will come into effect regarding the use of personal electronic devices in early learning environments. Personal devices capable of taking images, recording video, or storing/transferring files, such as mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, digital cameras, SD cards, USB drives, and cloud storage accounts, cannot be in the possession of any person while providing education and care or working directly with children.
What this means in our ELC
- For staff: Our educators already follow best practice by locking personal phones away during the day. School-issued devices are available for communication and documentation. Watches capable of taking or storing images and videos (such as Apple Watches) will not be worn while working with children without medical approval.
- For families and visitors: In line with these regulations, personal phones may not be used while you are in our centre, including the outside areas. If you need to take or receive a personal call, we ask that you step outside the ELC grounds before doing so.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Child Safety
We want to give you peace of mind by highlighting the strategies we have in place:
- High staff-to-child ratios: 1:5 for children aged 2 years, and 1:10 for children aged 3 years and above—exceeding national requirements. Each room is led by a qualified teacher.
- Wellbeing leadership: Our Wellbeing Leader implements evidence-based programs, including the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum.
- Visible and open spaces: Our Centre is designed to ensure transparency and visibility, with toilet facilities positioned to support supervision and safety.
- Technology protocols: Only School devices are used for photography and communication.
- Rigorous checks and training: All staff hold valid Working with Children Checks, complete ongoing training in child safety, and engage in reflective practice.
- Visitor management: All visitors sign in and are accompanied by staff at all times.
By upholding these practices, we not only meet regulatory requirements but exceed them, ensuring that our Centre is a place where children feel safe, respected, and empowered.
We thank you for your support in following these new guidelines and for your partnership in creating the safest possible environment for every child.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Warm regards,
Liz Schembri
Director of Early Learners’ Centre