News from Learning Community 1
As we conclude Term 4, we reflect with gratitude on a meaningful period of learning, connection, and joyful inquiry.
This term, our central idea, Celebrations can nurture wellbeing and build community, guided our exploration into how shared moments of joy can strengthen our sense of belonging and support our emotional wellbeing.
Under the transdisciplinary theme ‘How We Express Ourselves’, the children engaged deeply with the concept of Perspective, learning that celebrations can look, sound, and feel different depending on one’s culture, family, and personal experience. Through these discoveries, children developed a richer understanding of themselves and others, strengthening the learner profile attributes of being Open-minded and Reflective.
Throughout the year, wellbeing has remained at the heart of our practice. In Term 4, this intention came to life as children explored how celebrations support emotional connection, joy, and a sense of being valued and connected to one another.
Children were invited to:
- Share stories of celebrations meaningful to their families
- Participate in co-constructed celebration experiences
- Express joy through art, movement, music, and storytelling
- Reflect on how celebration makes them feel
These experiences helped children recognise that celebrations are more than special events they are expressions of identity, belonging, and community.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all families for your support, participation, and the many ways you contributed to our learning this term. Your stories, traditions, and willingness to share helped shape an authentic, joyful, and meaningful exploration for the children.
As we wrap up this term, and the year, we celebrate the growth, kindness, and connection that each child has brought to our community.
Wishing you all a restful, joyful break filled with moments of celebration and togetherness.
Kathy McCabe, Nell Tierney and Annabelle Redmond
Learning Community 1 Teachers
End of Year Christmas Celebration
An Evening Filled with Joy and Community
Despite the unpredictable spring weather, our ELC community gathered for an evening filled with warmth, music, and celebration. While the rain required us to rethink our original plans, it did nothing to dampen the excitement or the sense of togetherness that makes this annual event such a treasured part of our ELC calendar. The Chapel became a beautiful, intimate setting for our two performances, each one capturing the essence of who we are as a community: resilient, connected, joyful, and deeply child-centred.
From the moment families arrived, the atmosphere was one of anticipation and pride. Our children shone with confidence as they took to the stage, sharing songs they had been practicing with Ms Latzel in music throughout the term. Whether singing in Mandarin, moving to Christmas classics, or celebrating the uniqueness of an Australian summer with ‘Christmas Where the Gum Trees Grow’, the children performed with delight and a strong sense of belonging. Their joy was unmistakable, and it filled the Chapel with a magic that only young learners can create.
To all of our families, thank you for joining us for this special evening. Your presence, partnership, and support enrich every aspect of ELC life, and we are deeply grateful for the trust you place in us. Sharing this celebration with you reminded us once again of the strong and joyful community we are privileged to be part of.
Liz Schembri
Director of ELC
A Special Milestone: Our 2025 Hat Ceremony
This week, our ELC community gathered for one of the most cherished traditions at St Peter’s Girls’ School, our Hat Ceremony. This meaningful event marks a significant milestone for our Pathway to School children as they conclude their time in the ELC and prepare to begin their next stage of learning in Reception.
The ceremony beautifully reflected the intentional, collaborative transition practices embedded across the ELC and Junior School. Throughout the year, our Pathway children have taken part in classroom visits, met key staff, explored new learning environments, and gradually built the confidence needed for a smooth and positive start to the Junior School. The Hat Ceremony brought these preparations to life, celebrating both their confidence and the strong relationships that have supported them along the way.
Together Year 12 Prefects and Year 6 Leaders guided the ceremony. Their presence was deeply meaningful, offering our youngest students inspiring role models and reinforcing the sense of continuity and belonging that defines our ELC to Year 12 pathway.
One of the most memorable moments was the presentation of each child’s School hat and bag, by our Head of Junior School, Ms Marika Taylor. As the children crossed the stage supported and encouraged by the School Prefects there was a true sense of pride, accomplishment, and excitement for the journey ahead.
While it is always emotional to farewell our Pathway children, we are excited for the next stage of their learning journey. The Pathway children’s time in the ELC has equipped them with a strong foundation of curiosity, resilience, social skills, and a deep love of learning, qualities that will serve them well as they begin Reception.
To our Pathway children: Congratulations on this special milestone. We cannot wait to see the incredible things you will do as you begin your journey in our Junior School.
Liz Schembri
Director of ELC
Celebrating Connection: A Joyful Picnic Across Our Learning Community
After the Hat Ceremony, the Pathway children were joined by the School Prefects for a joyful morning tea picnic to celebrate the end of the year—a wonderful moment of connection between the ELC and the wider School community. Sharing food and time together created a meaningful opportunity for children to build relationships and strengthen their sense of belonging within our broader community of learners. The ELC children were proud to welcome the older students into their space and were excited to share this special experience with them. The Prefects were warm and encouraging, helping the younger children feel valued and supported—especially important as many of our ELC learners prepare to transition to the School in 2026. This gathering was a lovely expression of our commitment to relationships, community, and shared experiences.
Monique Gannon
ELC Teacher & Wellbeing Leader
