Term 1, Week 4

20 February 2025

From the Head of the ELC

Dear Families, 

Play is learning. Learning is play.

As parents, you may have realised that you don’t generally have to make children play or provide incentives to play. It may be clear to you that children simply have a natural urge to play, immersing themselves in the pleasure and interest play brings without seeking external rewards. I wonder what your views are on play.  

A common question I get asked by prospective parents is, ‘How long do the children play for and how long are they in classrooms to learn?’ Another question I receive is, ‘What school readiness programs do you have?’ They are valid questions, and my response encourages parents to think about the value of play.  

Play has no single universally accepted definition; however, it is a natural occurrence in childhood and happens across varied cultural contexts and environments. It can be perceived as ‘the highest expression of human development in childhood’¹. Researchers agree that unstructured play directed by children and play-based learning, facilitated by skillful early childhood practitioners, benefit children’s overall well-being and development. Limited access to play has negative implications for children’s developmental outcomes². Neurological research demonstrates that frequent opportunities to be engaged in play, assists the development of a healthy brain and improves executive function. It strengthens a child’s ability to pay attention, plan, prioritise and stay focused on tasks. Therefore, play facilitates children’s readiness to learn and allows them to acquire academic achievements and future life outcomes.  

Play is the foundation of children’s learning as it holds together all facets of learning. Every developmental domain is grounded in play. Research exposes that play fosters and encourages the intellectual, social, emotional, physical, spiritual and language development of children. Creating is playing, moving is playing, singing is playing, discussing is playing, observing is playing and reading is playing. Learning is playing and playing is learning. Playful learning is how children become ready for school. 

Play is not a break from learning. It is not time given as a reward for working hard. It is self-chosen, self-directed and the child can choose to stop when they are done. Real, true play does not start with a teacher or an adult, it starts and ends with the child. When we allow children to interact with the environment around them, they will discover, inquire and create accordingly. 

When we are interested in something, we pick it up very easily. When we are motivated out of necessity, we learn things. The same is true for children. When your child loses an art project because their name wasn’t on it, they will pick up a writing tool and write their name on the next one. If their block tower topples over because the base wasn’t sturdy enough, they will learn through trial and error how to make it tall and sturdy. Children learn through their play. Play is work for children. 

Within the vast world of children’s quest for learning through play, we are their guide. We facilitate their learning by asking open-ended questions and engaging in meaningful conversations to stretch their thinking. We offer subtle suggestions to make connections to what the children already know. We set the stage for learning through a carefully planned out environment filled with materials to fuel inquiring minds. When a child is interested in something, we notice and plan accordingly.  

A quality educational program authentically embeds school readiness, well-grounded in the power of play. The program emanates an environment that is busy and noisy yet calm. Children are deeply occupied in activities on their own, in pairs or in small groups. Laughter, discussions and smiles are visible on both the children and teachers. Teachers model problem-solving techniques and what it looks like to persevere and to test theories and ideas. Learning resources are readily available with ease of access to children. Children can be seen lost in curiosity and spend time surrounded by discovery and wonder with their peers and teachers. Such environments stir feelings of ease and trust for parents and carers, enough to leave their child to ‘be’ in the hands of their work – play. 

 1. Fröbel, F. (1782-1852). Froebel’s chief writings on education. (S. Sigmund, F. Fletcher, & J. Welton, Trans.) 

2. Milteer, R.M, Ginsburg, K.R. & Mulligan, D.A. (2012). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bond: focus on children in poverty. Pediatrics, 129(1), pp. 204-213. 

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.  

What’s Happening This Term

Co-Ed Scholarships for Year 5 2026 Now Open

Become a part of history with the Pioneer Scholarship, created to celebrate Newington College’s transition to co-education and support girls and boys who are ready to lead, innovate and inspire. This is more than just a scholarship—it is an opportunity for trailblazers who are eager to make a lasting impact.  

This scholarship is available to existing and prospective students (both boys and girls) currently in Year 4 (entering Year 5 in 2026). This prestigious opportunity is designed for students with a balanced range of achievements who will benefit from the outstanding opportunities at Newington College while enriching our vibrant school community. 

Current and new students can apply here. 

Why Critical Thinking Matters

Critical thinking is at the forefront of education at the College, teaching students to listen, reason and develop independent critical and ethical thought by engaging with life’s big questions. Watch more about the importance of critical thinking below:

Chapel Thought

This term in Chapel we will be focusing on the idea of Exploring Notions of Faith. At Newington, we want to create a space where all students can explore Faith and discover their own understanding of its meaning and purpose in their lives. Through exploring Faith, we come to know the all-inclusive love of God and think about ways to make a positive difference in the world.  

At Newington, we celebrate the rich diversity that makes this such a vibrant community. And so, when we explore Faith, we do so in a way that honours our deep Christian traditions and celebrates the culture and diversity in this community. 

Exploring Faith means being curious about what Faith teaches us about our lives and the ways it guides our community. It means questioning deeply to find a more profound understanding. Exploring Faith also means being open-minded about what we hear, being willing to hear new perspectives or different ways of thinking and being open to being challenged in our own daily living.  

I look forward to continuing this journey of exploring Faith with all in the Newington community this year and look forward to meeting many families in the weeks to come. 

– Pastor Richard La’Brooy 

Parent Information Evening – Thursday 20 February 2025

We are looking forward to welcoming our families to our Parent Information Evening. The evening will provide families with the opportunity to meet the ELC team, meet each other and gain insight into our educational program for each class. Please note that this is a parent-only event and that light catering and refreshments will be provided.

Anaphylaxis Prevention

Please be informed we have children at the ELC who have anaphylactic reactions to eggs, nuts and sesame. We kindly request that you avoid packing any of these allergens (in any form) on Thursdays and Fridays.

We also request that birthday cakes/cupcakes you provide for your child must not contain eggs, nuts and sesame if brought in on Thursdays and Fridays.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Excursion Authorisation Form Update 

We have updated our Excursion Authorisation Form. Please read and sign the updated version by clicking here. It will also be available for families at the front desk.

ELC News & Parent Resources

The ELC New Weekly will be emailed to ELC families during term time on Thursday each week and is also available here on the website. It will outline important dates and information to note.

Parent Resources can be found on ELC New Spaces and in our Parent Hub located in the ELC piazza. The Parent Hub has articles, brochures and information leaflets on various topics. This space will also serve as our QIP station where you can view the National Quality Standards and information on the Seven Quality Areas.

We kindly ask that you engage with us in this space by looking at each of the Quality Areas, which are clearly displayed, to guide your feedback on:

• What are our strengths?

• What improvements can we make?

Storypark

Please engage with us via Storypark and support the building of community by sharing special moments from home/holidays or memorable occasions. We also encourage you to respond to posts shared by your child’s teachers – individual or group learning stories, and partner with us in celebrating your child’s educational journey. We look forward to reading your thoughts, feedback and any insights you may like to provide.

Holiday Programs 

During Wyvern House term breaks, the ELC provides two weeks of Holiday Program. When there are three weeks of Wyvern term break, the last two weeks will be allocated for the ELC Holiday Program.   

The Holiday Program outline for each term break will be available to families a week before the program starts. Children can attend the ELC in their normal clothes and are not required to wear uniforms during this time. 

Signing In/Out

Please ensure you sign your child in and out each day they attend. If you have delegated pick-ups or drop-offs to a family member or friend and they are on our records, please provide your access details to Xplor sign-in/out. Stephanie at the front desk will be available to assist should they require support.

Newington College Welcome Cocktail Party

All Newington parents from the ELC, Wyvern, Lindfield and Stanmore are warmly invited to the Newington College Welcome Cocktail Party on Friday 21 February 2025. The event will start at 6.30pm on Memorial Drive at Newington College Stanmore.  

It will be a great opportunity to welcome new parents and reconnect with old friends in a relaxed environment on campus. We’re excited and we hope to see you there! 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.  

Staff Profile

This week, we are profiling our ELC Office Administrator Stephanie Christofides. Known for her exceptional organisational skills and warm demeanor, Stephanie plays a crucial role in ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Her attention to detail and unwavering support ensures that staff, students and families always feel welcome and well-cared for at the ELC.

Q. What is something people don’t know about you?

A. People don’t always know that I used to be a teacher. I have a Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior School from Canada, where I was born and studied. In Canada, the schooling years are a bit different. Primary school includes pre-kindergarten (ages 3-4) and goes up until Year 8 (ages 13-14). High school starts in Year 9. I previously taught primary in Canada and early learning in Hong Kong.

Q. What is your favourite hobby?

A. My favourite pastime is travelling. I have lived and worked in five different countries on four different continents. I just returned from visiting Mexico with my family, which was the 65th country I have now visited. My two teen boys and my husband have also become seasoned travellers as we have visited over half of these countries together as a family.

Q. What is your favourite memory from school?

A. My favourite memory from my school years was the excursions. I loved not just the camps, but the real-world experiences. These included walking to the shops in my Year 1 class. I remember visiting the local butcher, watching the meat hanging and being cut, and then going to the bakery, where I was captivated by the cake decorators. It was in those moments that I decided I wanted to pursue cake decorating as my profession when I grew up. After the excursion, I wrote a long story about my experiences and received my first gold star sticker, which made me feel proud of my learning.

Other memorable experiences included visiting the local pioneer cemetery to study history, going to the local parks to help clean up rubbish and to the local library to hear authors speak. All of these excursions instilled a great sense of community for me in my local area and really engaged my curiosity for learning outside of just the classroom in a practical, more hands-on approach that worked well for me as a learner. 

Staff profile: College Leadership Group (CLG)

This week, we are profiling Kate Pollitt, our new Director of Admissions. With her expertise in navigating the admissions process and her approachable nature, Kate is the first point of contact for many families joining our community. Her deep commitment to ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for all prospective students and their families makes her an invaluable part of our team.

Q. What do you think is the Newington difference?

A. I am new to Newington and really love the Wyvern philosophy, fostering Great Hearts, Inspired Minds and Strong Wings. There is also a strong focus on academic excellence, wellbeing and future-ready skills. It embraces critical thinking, ethics and community service, which are all important for preparing our students to thrive in a dynamic world with courage, integrity and creativity.

Q. What is something not many people know about you?

A. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to live and work overseas, including 11 years in Shanghai and time in London and Poland. I’ve loved travelling with my family, exploring different cuisines and immersing myself in different cultures and histories—and I also attempt to speak some Mandarin! 

Q. If you were a student at Newington today, what would you be most excited about?

A. If I were a student at Newington College, I would be excited about the incredible range of co-curricular opportunities, including sport, drama and music and the school’s strong emphasis on academics and service learning. Access to the Ethics Centre is also a unique opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking skills, setting them apart as thoughtful and engaged learners. I also wish I had the opportunity to take part in the exciting community service program that our students experience at the Year 9 Eungai Camp. I look forward to hearing about their experiences and how they develop these important life skills through hands-on learning, collaboration and meaningful contributions. Newington students are privileged to grow academically and personally while being part of a diverse, forward-thinking community.

Q. If you could describe Newington College in three words, what would they be?

A. Innovative, inclusive, and inspiring.