13 March 2025
From the Head of the ELC
Dear Families,
As we tell families when they enrol at the ELC, we are an education and care facility that is inspired by the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach. Reggio Emilia principles encompass an educational philosophy based on ‘the image of a child with strong potentialities for development and a subject with rights, who learns through the hundred languages belonging to all human beings and grows in relations with others.’ (Reggio Children – Reggio Emilia Approach)
It was wonderful to see extended interest from parents about the Reggio Emilia principles during our Parent Information Evening a couple of weeks ago. To provide you with an overview, here are the key principles:
All children have potential
‘Our image of the child is rich in potential, strong, powerful, competent and, most of all connected to adults and other children.’ – Loris Malaguzzi
From birth the child has the need and the right to communicate and interact with others. Through energy and curiosity, the child constructs his/her own learning.
Children are connected
The child is a member of a family and a community rather than an isolated individual. The child learns through interaction with peers, adults, objects and symbols.
The reciprocity of children
‘Children are very open to exchanges and reciprocity, as deeds and acts of love which they not only want to receive but also to offer. These form the basis of their ability to experience authentic growth, dependent on the elements listed above, as well as on conflict and error.’ – Carlina Rinaldi
Children are communicators
Children have the right to use many forms of symbolic representation: words, movement, drawing, painting, building, sculpture, shadow play, collage, dramatic play, music (the hundred languages). In this way, children can explore and communicate ideas in many ways and link ideas across different media.
The environment is the third teacher
Space is designed to encourage encounters, communication, and relationships. There is order and beauty in the organisation of materials; every corner of space has an identity and purpose. The piazza is at the heart of physical space that invites community gatherings and promotes relationship building and sense of belonging.
Educators are partners, nurturers and guides
Educators facilitate children’s exploration of concepts and theories, short or long-term projects, and guide experiences of open-ended discovery and problem-solving. They observe and listen closely to children to deepen their understanding of their ideas and ways of working together. They reflect in groups to analyse their observations and decide how to further support the children’s learning.
Educators are researchers
The educators work together, sharing their observations and interpretations about how the children are exploring and interacting. They develop their own research based on how best to support particular aspects of children’s learning.
Documentation as a learning tool
Careful consideration and attention are given to the presentation of the children’s thinking and the educators who work with them. Transcriptions of children’s words and dialogues, photographs and drawings are used for groups of educators and children to reflect on the learning taking place. The documentation enables children, educators, and parents to share each other’s learning, not just at the end of the learning process but as an aid to a continuing group idea.
Families as partners
Families have an active role in children’s learning experience. They are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts about their children’s learning. They are also encouraged to engage with the documentation of the learning and share any insights and feedback.
These principles are contextually encapsulated in all that we do with the children of ELC. The program is meaningful and authentic to our context. As we progress through the year, we hope our families will see, understand, and grow to value this approach as we do.
Harmony Week
Monday 17 March – Friday 21 March
Our aim for Harmony Week is to build a sense of community with our families through these connective threads of experience. Children’s connectedness and varied ways of belonging within our setting will help them to learn ways of being which reflect the values, traditions and practices of their families and communities. We believe this learning transforms the way they interact with others, develops their ability to value and respect different cultures and communities and builds their confidence to respond to diversity as socially adept members of society.
We look forward to immersing the children in the rich cultural experiences that our families can offer as significant members of our ELC community.
Anaphylaxis Prevention
The ELC will be a NO EGGS/NUTS/SESAME Zone on Thursdays & Fridays.
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 in your child’s lunch 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.
Holiday Programs
During Wyvern House term breaks, the ELC provides a two week 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.
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.
Chapel Thought
Christians all across the world are in the period of Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter. Lent is traditionally a time where people deepen their faith by either giving up something that they enjoy or take up something important.
This year I’m thinking much more about Spiritual Practices, simple things like prayer, reflection or meditation that help us deepen our faith in God. A practice that resonates deeply with me is called The Examen. It comes from St Ignatius and has become part of Jesuit Catholic practices.
The Examen is a simple way of reflecting on the day and becoming aware of God’s presence. It follows these steps and can be completed in a mere minute or two or take longer:
- Become aware of God’s presence, centring yourself through calming mind and body
- Reflect on the parts of the day that filled you with joy
- Reflect on the times when you were challenged or hurt
- Choose one feature from the day to pray for
- Look ahead towards tomorrow
Through this simple reflective Spiritual Practice we can deepen our faith and come closer to God. In the midst of our busy lives, finding a moment, even if it’s a few minutes, to do something like The Examen is such an important practice.
– Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Staff Profile
This week we caught up with Shelley Carruthers, part of our team of superstars in the Design and Technology Department at our Senior campus in Stanmore.
Q. Which book, movie, or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why?
A. Excuse me for choosing an animated kids’ movie, but with my young children being the audience at home, this is my current genre. The film is Zootopia from 2016, I appreciate it for its inspirational message about perseverance, learning from mistakes, and personal growth. It highlights the importance of facing challenges with resilience and teaches valuable lessons to both children and adults. These lessons include understanding prejudice, recognising the dangers of stereotyping, and the benefits of connecting across differences to enhance everyone’s experience. It’s a beautiful reminder of the positive impact of embracing diversity and personal development. It’s a very enjoyable experience.
Q. In a world where you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and how would you use it in your teaching?
A. Without a doubt, teleportation is the most practical superpower. Life often feels overwhelming with the constant rush to work, school, music lessons, sports, and more. Teleportation would not only save us precious time but also allow us to experience more. Imagine teaching a lesson on technological advancements or cultural cuisines and being able to teleport students directly to live examples. They could see, feel, and taste everything firsthand, creating truly authentic and enriching experiences.
Q. If you could have dinner with any historical figure or celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you talk about?
A. Meeting Sir David Attenborough would be an absolute dream for me. Ever since I first heard his amazing voice in a documentary when I was little, I’ve been hooked on his passion for the natural world. His life’s all about exploring, innovating, and teaching, and that’s had a impact on me and my love of nature. I picture us having a simple meal together, listening to his incredible stories, and feeling like I’m right there with him on those adventures. His way of connecting with people and getting them to love the planet is something special and meeting him would be an unforgettable experience.
