News from Learning Community 1
Discovering Life in the ELC Community Garden
The ELC Community Garden continues to be a place of wonder, joy and discovery for the children. Through regular visits, the garden has become a familiar and much-loved space, one that invites curiosity, care and deep engagement with the living world.
A spontaneous discovery of tiny caterpillars sparked great excitement and fascination. What began as a moment of surprise quickly grew into a shared inquiry, filled with questions, close observation and delight. Children gathered around with magnifying glasses and digital microscopes, carefully noticing patterns, movement and colour. Their joy was evident as they revisited the caterpillars each day, eagerly checking for changes.
The children expressed their thinking in many ways, such as drawing, mark-making, playdough, clay and light exploration, while using the hundred languages to make meaning of what they were seeing. These creative responses reflected not only what the children noticed, but how deeply they cared.
When a butterfly emerged over the weekend, the children returned to the garden filled with excitement. Together, they reflected on what had happened and discussed how best to care for the butterfly. Through thoughtful conversation, the group made a shared decision to release it back into the garden so it could “find its family.” This moment highlighted the children’s growing sense of empathy, responsibility and understanding of living systems.
The Community Garden has become a place where learning feels joyful and meaningful, where children experience themselves as capable researchers and caring citizens. Through these shared moments of discovery, the children continue to build connections with the natural world and with one another, guided by curiosity, collaboration and care.
Nell Tierney, Monique Gannon, Kathy McCabe, Liv Buttery
Learning Community 1 Teachers
ELC Vacation Care Bookings – Now Open!
School holidays are around the corner, so if you would like your child to attend ELC during this time, please click the button below to book online. Due to limited spaces, please book early! Late bookings and changes after this date will incur a late booking fee.
ELC Vacation Care will run from Monday 29 June until Monday 20 July 2026.
Our holiday planning builds and expands on the learning that has been happening across the term. Our Vacation Care Leaders, Valentina Fernandes from Learning Community 1, and Catherine Jiang from Learning Community 2, plan closely with Caterina Pennestri, our Pedagogical Coordinator and classroom teachers so that they can implement engaging learning experiences that transition seamlessly into Vacation Care.
What to bring to 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.
Terms and Conditions
As ELC Vacation Care staffing and catering are based on bookings, please book by 4pm, Thursday 25 June 2026 (Week 10).
If you would like to make a booking after this date, please email ELC Manager, Wolita Harding, at [email protected]. Any bookings and changes made after this date will incur a late booking fee of $5 added on top of the daily rate per child.
Please note that any cancellations must be communicated at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations result in the full fee being charged for your booking.
Absentees or changes must be communicated via [email protected]
For more information, please see the ELC Vacation Care Program.
Key Dates
- 15 June – Mid-Year Reception Transition Morning, 9am to 12pm
- 22 June – ELC Hat Ceremony, 12.15pm
- 25 June – Celebrating Our Pathway to School, 2pm
- 29 June – Vacation Care commences (until Monday 20 July)