News from Learning Community 1
A Season of Discovery and Growth
As Term 3 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the wonderful experiences and learning moments that have enriched our Learning Community 1.
Our journey this term has been marked by vibrant activities and hands-on learning. The children have eagerly participated in regular visits to our ELC Community Garden, where they’ve watched their efforts come to life. One of the highlights has been the discovery of rainbow chard growing in the parches. The children were fascinated by the large, colourful leaves and observed how the vegetables have grown robustly. They harvested the rainbow chard and brought it back to the classroom, where they explored its characteristics through research and taste tests, delving into its appearance, flavour, and cooking possibilities.
Our exploration didn’t stop at the garden. The children also enjoyed engaging in walks around Ferguson Park, where they collected specimens and noted changes in the environment. They observed the new harlequin flowers blooming and noted the transformation of yellow wattle into a brown hue. These observations led them to the park’s information boards, where they learned about these new flowers, discovering that they are considered weeds and can be removed to maintain the park’s ecosystem.
These daily walks through Ferguson Park offered numerous opportunities for enriching lessons in environmental awareness. During these excursions, the children observed a variety of native wildlife, including birds, insects, and lizards like skinks and bearded dragons. Moreover, their growing sense of responsibility was evident as they promptly identified and reported litter on the ground, reflecting their growing commitment to environmental care.
As we wrap up this term, we celebrate the children’s curiosity, their growing knowledge about the natural world, and their increasing awareness of their role in preserving it. We look forward to more discoveries and learning adventures in the upcoming term!
Kathy McCabe
Learning Community 1 – Teacher
ELC Vacation Care
Bookings 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 Monday 30 September to Friday 11 October. (Monday 7 October is a public holiday; therefore, the ELC will be closed).
Our holiday planning builds and expands on the learning that has been happening across the term. Our Vacation Care leaders, Catherine Jiang, LC2 and Valentina Fernandes, LC1, 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 own packed lunch, hat, water bottle, and a change of clothes each day. Due to allergies, we kindly ask that you do not pack nuts or nut products in your child’s lunch box. A healthy morning and afternoon tea 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 Thursday 26 September 2024 (Week 10). Due to limited spaces during ELC Vacation Care, please book early!
*Please note that ELC Vacation care is strictly for ELC-enrolled children.
Sun Smart in the ELC
As spring arrives and the weather warms up, it’s important to stay sun smart. Following the Cancer Council’s advice, our Centre has clear guidelines for sun protection, especially on days when the UV index reaches 3 or above. Recently, the UV levels have been higher during certain parts of the day, so we ask families to be mindful of the following:
Please ensure your child’s hat is returned to the ELC so we can be prepared for warmer days throughout the rest of this term and into Term 4. Outdoor activities, including visits to Ferguson Conservation Park, are an important part of our program, and children need their hats to enjoy these spaces safely.
To help us keep everything organised, please label your child’s hat clearly with their name. Thank you for supporting our sun safety practices. For more information, please visit the Cancer Council website.
End of Year Christmas Celebration
Dear ELC Families,
Do you play a musical instrument? We are preparing for our ELC End of Year Celebration and would love to include some musically talented parents to provide a simple accompaniment to a few of our traditional Christmas Carols.
If you are interested in sharing your musical skills to help make this event extra special, please reach out to Mrs Nicola Black at nblack@stpetersgirls.sa.edu.au.
We look forward to hearing from you!
