Pre-schools’ Update – Week 2
Dear Pre-school Families,
We have had another wonderful start to the week, filled with excitement and meaningful learning! Our 2-day children have been exploring photos from when they were babies, sparking conversations about how they’ve grown and changed since birth. It’s been quite a fun challenge trying to guess who’s who in the baby pictures! Some of our 3-day children have enjoyed observational painting, closely studying the natural elements in our garden – like our flourishing mandarin tree. Others have begun exploring the concept of change through sensory play, observing how sand transforms when water is added. For our 5-day children, the leaf insects continue to be a source of fascination. The children have been closely examining their features – gently holding them, observing them through magnifying glasses, and expressing their thoughts through drawing and discussion. Meanwhile, the St Mark’s children have continued their deep dive into the world of snails, learning about what they eat and exploring their life cycle. We’re loving the curiosity and wonder that’s emerging across all our groups as the children engage, question and discover!
Waitmate Information Session
The Junior School is hosting an information session on Tuesday, 12 August to help us better understand the consequences of smartphones and social media on growing minds and to explore what we can do to reduce these risks for our own children. This topic will be addressed by a child psychologist and representative of Waitmate, an organisation that helps families work through these issues. All Pre-school families are invited to join this very important session.
Date: Tuesday, 12 August
Time: 8:30 – 9:30am
Venue: Junior School Gym
Feedback
Working closely with families is a big part of creating a meaningful and responsive educational program. Families bring valuable knowledge about their child’s experiences, interests, culture, and learning styles, which helps us plan curriculum that is both meaningful and relevant. Thank you to all the parents who have shared their feedback after reviewing their child’s portfolio and developmental summary. If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take some time to do so and kindly return your child’s portfolio to their classroom teacher. We will continue to invite your feedback regularly, either weekly or fortnightly, to help us improve and strengthen our educational program. Keep an eye out for opportunities to share your thoughts at the sign-in area starting next week!
A Reminder About Afternoon Collection
Just a gentle reminder that our Pre-school day finishes at 2:45pm. We understand that parking can be tricky, especially with nearby construction, so we encourage you to allow plenty of time to find a legal parking space and arrive by no later than 2:45pm.
We also understand that some families may have older children to collect from other campuses. To help support this, you are welcome to pick your child up from 2:15pm onwards if needed.
Melanie Fleming
Pre-School Educational Leader (Acting)