17 October 2024
From the Head of the ELC
Dear Families,
Welcome to the final term of 2024, which has commenced with our ELC signature energy – lively and exuberant! It has been delightful to welcome back those who have been away and gather as a whole community with all our ELC members present.
We have a busy and exciting term ahead of us and look forward to the end of 2024, celebrating the children, their learning and the community they belong to.
Transition to School vs School Readiness
Transition to School
The transition to school is not a single event but a dynamic process of both change and continuity of learning that occurs over time. Your child’s transition to school process began when they commenced at the ELC, but our explicit series of regular experiences in Term 4 is planned to boost the confidence of each child in the 4 to 5-year-old program, as they embark on their formal school learning.
School Readiness
The concept of school readiness is central to discussions about the transition to school. Measures of a child’s readiness for school include their maturity level, ability to get along with other children, willingness to separate from their primary carers, capacity to sit quietly and attentively in class, independence in activities such as going to the bathroom and cognitive and academic skills that enable them to participate in the primary school curriculum.
School readiness is a multi-dimensional concept that incorporates not only a child’s readiness for the learning environment but also the learning environment’s readiness for the child.
We will focus on strengthening the children’s existing school readiness skills and will help them gain a better understanding of the expectations of ‘big school.’ More importantly, we aim to instil positive attitudes and eagerness in our 4 to 5-year-olds as they prepare to transition to the next chapter of their educational journey.
What’s Happening this Term
Excursion to Wyvern Biennale ELC-Year 6 Art Show
The ELC children will be participating in the excursion to the Wyvern Biennale Art Show next week. Each class will walk to Concordia Gallery with educators. There will be two excursion groups:
Monday 21 October
- Possum Class at 9.00am
- Eagle Class at 10.00am
Wednesday 23 October
- Goanna Class at 9.00am
Please ensure that children arrive no later than 8.30am on the day your child is attending.
Please be assured that this authorisation form was completed by parents earlier in the year. A risk assessment for the excursion has been completed to ensure optimal safety and supervision of the children. Should you wish to view this document, it will be available at the front desk.
Orientation for 2025 Goanna and Eagle Classes
Current Possum Class children will have designated orientation time to play, explore and become familiar with the Eagle and Goanna classrooms throughout the term. These exploration times will provide opportunities for the children to become familiar with the environment that will potentially become their classrooms next year.
Goanna and Eagle Classes Transition to School Program
The Goanna and Eagle class children will attend the K-2 Chapel and Assembly at Wyvern on the following dates:
- Friday 25 October from 9.00am: Chapel
- Friday 1 November from 9.00am: K-2 Assembly
For children enrolled to attend Wyvern in 2025, two sessions of kindergarten classroom visits will take place on the following dates:
- Thursday 7 November from 9.00am-10.00am: Session 1 Kindy Class Visits with Parents (children to be taken by parents)
- Thursday 28 November from 9.00am-10.00am: Session 2 Kindy Class Visits
Second Step Early Learning Program for the 4 to 5-year-old Classes
The ‘Second Step Program’ designed for early learning will be offered to our 4–5-year-old age group to support their transition to school. This program is continued at Wyvern. It teaches children important life skills for getting along with others, understanding self-care and protection and setting them up for a strong start to commencing school. The Head of ELC, Sharon Lee, will be implementing this program weekly in the Goanna and Eagle classrooms.
Service Learning – The Gift of Giving
Term 4 is the perfect time to engage the ELC children in Service Learning as we draw near to the festive season of giving. We invite you to be part of our ‘Gift of Giving’ learning process through the following charity events:
Greeting Card Purchases
The children have been designing unique greeting cards that will be printed and be available for sale to families. All proceeds raised will go towards sponsorship of a child through World Vision.
Anglicare ‘Toys n Tucker’
We request items to be donated to provide for those in poverty.
Ms Ash Aherne, our Charity Team Coordinator, will be overseeing this project. Further details will be communicated via Storypark in the coming weeks.
ELC Learning Celebration
Important planning
- Goanna & Eagle class families please sign out your children on arrival for the Music Showcase.
- Possum class families please arrive by 2.40pm and sign out children on arrival for the Learning Exhibition
- Possum class (3-day attendees): If your child is a 3-day attendee, we kindly ask that you attend this event with your child, arriving by 2.40pm. We thank you in advance for your time and effort to do this and join our ELC community gathering time.
ELC Email Address
Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at elc@newington.nsw.edu.au and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
Warm regards,
Ms Sharon Lee
Head of Early Learning Centre
