Reddam Early Learning School Newsletter Vol 22 Issue 38

REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL ST LEONARDS NEWSLETTER

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents,

By Mrs Simone Cooke

As we approach our final week of 2022, on behalf of all the staff at Reddam ELS St Leonards, I would like to express our gratitude for the incredible support you have offered us this year. It has been so lovely to be able to return to our face-to-face celebrations and watch our children thrive and flourish in these important early childhood years.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our beautiful new outdoor playgrounds and learning spaces and we are so very proud of our confident, independent and curious Reddam children. I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by an amazing team of “teachers of excellence”. My sincere gratitude to each and every one of you.

At a time of teacher shortages and upheaval in many schools, we have been incredibly fortunate here at Reddam to have such a stable and consistent learning environment for our children. This is due to our highly capable, dedicated and experienced teachers. The vast majority of our teachers have been with us now for many years. They have endured the challenging years of covid and have relentlessly sought to offer our children a stimulating learning environment, whilst establishing authentic, loving relationships which ensures our children enjoy a safe, happy and secure environment in which to reach their full learning potential.

Thank you to each of you.

Principal’s Message Continued…

A testimony of their hard work are the beautiful learning portfolio’s that you will shortly receive at the end of year concerts. The teachers have so lovingly and painstakingly prepared these for each of our children. As you can appreciate, a great deal of time and effort goes into these individual portfolios, as our teachers document your child’s interests, skills, friendships and development during 2022. These are a special record of your child’s learning journey this year and we hope that you and your child will treasure them for many years to come.

REDDAM EARLY LEARNING

SCHOOL

ST LEONARDS NEWSLETTER

1st April 2022

To our capable and talented Stage 4 leaders who leave us this year to head off to Kindergarten, we feel honoured to have been your first teachers, guiding you through this first stage of your learning journey and laying the important foundations on which you will thrive. Each of you has a special place in our hearts and we are confident that you head off to school as competent, curious and caring individuals. We hope that you will treasure the many memories you have enjoyed during your time at Reddam and will keep up the many connections you have made within our school community.

This will be our final newsletter for Term 4. A reminder that our final day for the year will be Friday 23rd December, 2022 and we will reopen again on Tuesday 10th January, 2023.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, safe travels and we look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

As we draw closer to the end of the year it's time to reflect on the year we have had. We began Term 1 by exploring our self-identity such as who we are? What we look like? What are my special features and where do I come from? Identity is unique to each individual and defines who people are. Having a sense of group identity as well as personal identity also helps a child feel a sense of belonging. It has been beautiful watching each and every child explore, work hard, play hard and develop confident self identities to be the best version of themselves.

Term 2 we put on our thinking caps and set to work to learn all we could around STEM. Each child developed in their teamwork skills, independent thinking, problem solving and digital literacy. It was exciting watching their little minds explode as they experimented and predicted throughout the term.

Term 3 took on a whirlwind adventure into the deep blue. Teachers encouraged children to explore, be curious and investigate, fostering imagination and flexibility of the mind.

Lastly Term 4. As Stage 4 are going to school in the new year we have made School Readiness the focal point of the children’s learning during our last term. Beginning school is a huge step for young children and assisting them with transition to school is essential in their journey to continue to be successful, confident and independent learners.

This year the children have learned so much together. They have worked hard, played hard and grown by leaps and bounds. They have learned to appreciate and celebrate each other's differences. The kindness to one another is one the things I love most about them.

I give you your child back a little older, a little bit taller, a whole lot smarter! It has been my pleasure and privilege to watch them grow and learn day by day. This year with have lived, loved, laughed and learned. We have become a family. I have done my best to keep your child safe and happy this school year. I have enjoyed all the hugs, smiles and kind words your child has shared with me.

I just want to thank all the parents and families for entrusting me with your minis and supporting me with my transition back into Reddam as a new mum. This year has been a big one for them, adjusting and preparing them for kindergarten in 2023. I look forward to the day when I hear that familiar name linked to great accomplishments.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL | ST LEONARDS

By Ms Sarah Ross

Dear Stage Four,

I can’t believe that it is already time to start saying goodbye! We have grown, learnt, laughed, built and strengthened friendships, and made so many beautiful memories that I am sure you will treasure for many years to come.

Throughout this year you have explored our natural world through our learning provocations on weather, natural disasters, animal life cycles and observed the entire life cycle of a silk worm as they hatched from their eggs, spun cocoons and emerged as moths. You investigated the topics of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through experimentation, play, in-depth discussions and investigations. You took on the responsibility of preparing for school as you attended orientations, discussed primary school expectations and continued to build upon and refine your classroom skills.

Your favourite things this year have been; playing UNO and bowling, learning to read and write, watching the silkworms grow, programming robots, playing soccer, drawing, your teachers and friends, and searching for Popcorn the Elf. We are so proud of all you have learnt and achieved in 2022 and feel truly grateful to be part of your early education. It has been such a joy teaching and caring for you all this year and we wish you all the best on your new learning journey at Primary School. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love from,

By Ms Emily Chacon

To my dearest Stage 4 families,

As the school year is coming to an end, I want to take a moment to say thank you.

Thank you for sharing your pride and joy with me. It has been an absolute honour to watch your child grow over the year. I have done my best to keep your child safe and happy and always ensured their needs were met. I have enjoyed all the running hugs, smiles, games, and kind words your child has shared with me.

I have so many memories from across the year. Beginning in term 1, we explored self-identity, which we learnt is unique to each person and defines who we are. We explored as a community which gave the children a sense of belonging to their new stage 4 classroom.

Term 2 we set to work and study in STEM. Your children developed their critical thinking skills, teamwork abilities, literacy, and numeracy skills as well as problem solving. It was a privilege to see their little minds explode with wonder and excitement through each experiment and investigation.

In term 3 to dived into the deep blue world. The children were encouraged to investigate and discover the wonders of the deep, and the animals and plants that we share our world with. It was remarkable to see the children be more conscious of their recycling and rubbish usage throughout the day.

Lastly, as the children are getting ready for primary school, we set out to engage and investigate in various school readiness activities and experiences. Beginning big school is a huge step for the children, and I am sure that your child is ready for this transition feeling more motivated, confident, independent, and ready to be successful.

I want to say thank you for supporting all my efforts and ideas. Thank you for the reassuring words and kind emails that I have received. It has made all that I have done just that bit more special.

Thank you for getting up early and driving through the rain and wind to make sure your child made it to school on time. For taking the time to read and sign all the email and forms that have come home, and for reading with your child and helping them learn.

And last but not least, thank you for giving me the opportunity to love your child. It’s with happy memories I send your child back to with full minds and full hearts. They have all grown in leaps and bounds and have grown to appreciate and accept each other for who they are. Their kindness and thrive for learning is what I love most about them.

I wish them well, and ill cherish them, as they walk out the door. Know for certain wherever they go, they are in my heart to stay.

Lots of love, Miss Emily

REDDAM

By Ms Riina Andrew

All Things Christmas!

This final week of the year, we participated in lots of Christmas activities. Sculpting playdough Christmas themed decorations was the most popular and writing letters to Santa and posting them in our North Pole Express post box was very exciting. We also enjoyed writing Christmas cards to our friends!

Christmas Concert News!

Just a reminder that the Christmas Concert is next week! The children are all very excited to show their dance moves and singing voices to family and friends, it promises to be an amazing show!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

By Ms Itzi Garcia

What a wonderful year this has been! This year stage 3 has worked so hard to achieve their goals. It has been so delightful to watch them grown up for the past two years. I am very proud of everyone, and I would like to congratulate them on completing another successful year. They have learned to appreciate kindness, work alongside with their peers, being good friends with each other and celebrate all their peers’ achievements. We have enjoyed the best hugs, smiles, laughs and the true love.

As the school year comes to an end, I would like to thank all the families for all the support throughout the year. We are all so excited for the Christmas concert next week, all the children can’t wait to show you their singing and dancing! After the concert you will be able to collect their portfolios and their beautiful artwork to take home. Finishing the afternoon will be a picnic downstairs with all the yummy treats that have been brought in for sharing with each other.

REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL | ST LEONARDS

Stage 2/3 & 3R

A Year in Stage 2/3 and 3R

By Ms Gabriela Guimaraes

“Goodbye? Oh no, please! Can’t we go back to page one and start all over again?”

- Winnie The Pooh

It is hard to believe we reached the end of the year and what an amazing year it has been. At the beginning of the year I greeted in my room toddlers and now they are off to preschool and as much as I would love to keep them under my wings it’s time to let them go and thrive in the next stage.

It is that time of the year once again, where, as educators we feel nostalgic when looking back at the year that was. It was full of laughter and some tears and every moment has leaded the children to where they are now.

We learned more about ourselves on our “My Reggio Emilia School ” provocation. Then we learned about the community, followed by the immensity of the Animal habitats and finished on the beautiful world that we all live in. So many amazing learning opportunities. The children have continuously amazed us, as they have grown into independent and confident little people, who we believe will continue to thrive in their next stage of learning with the same enthusiasm they shared in Stage 2/3 and 3R.

On behalf of the stage 2/3 and 3R team I would like to say thank you to all the families for such a successful year. Thank you for sharing your beautiful children with us, they filled our days with laughter and joy. They are the reason why we love coming to work each day.

Wishing you all a restful holiday period and please come and visit us sometime.

2/3 & 3R

2/3 & 3R

2/3 & 3R

Stage 2/3 & 3R

2/3 & 3R

Stage 2/3 and 3R

Stage 2/3 and 3R

2/3 & 3R

Stage 2R

Farewell!

By Ms Madeleine Grant

Can you believe we have reached the final weeks of the year! Over this week the children have been busy practicing their concert songs and preparing for our end of year celebrations.

We have been reflecting on the year that has been, looking through the children’s portfolios and artworks over the past four terms, returning to some of our favourite activities, and looking back at the photos of the little children that began this year in Stage 2R and grew into the big boys and big girls they are today!

We went back over our provocations; our journey through the alphabet from A to Z with different activities for each letter, investigating the natural world and the wonderful creatures that live within its varied landscapes, an exploration of fairytales and folklore from around the world, and our final unit reflecting on belonging, being and becoming. Thank you to all the parents who have trusted us with their precious children over the year, for all your support and understanding of the ups and downs of the toddler years. Through the tears and apprehension at morning drop offs, to the big smiles and happy faces that greet us each morning, we have loved and cherished every moment we have spent with the children, and send them off with knowledge that they are ready to embark on the next stage of their learning journeys.

Lots of love,

From Maddie, Ailene, Chandrika, Hana, Kelly, Laura, Nishma, Ona, Rachel and Tamara

End of Year Concert

A reminder our End of Year Concert will be held next week on Tuesday the 13th December, with additional filming on Monday morning. Please see below for the times for each group:

Group A Group B

Filming

10am Monday 12th December

Please arrive by 9:45

Concert

4pm Tuesday 13th December

Please arrive by 3:30

Filming

10:30am Monday 12th December

Please arrive by 10:15

Concert 3:30pm Tuesday 13th December Please arrive by 3pm

Following the performances we invite you all to stay for a picnic to celebrate and reflect on the end of the school year. Please bring along a plate of something yummy to share!

REDDAM

REDDAM EARLY LEARNING SCHOOL

By Ms Justine Heydra

"What feels like the end is often the beginning ".

What a year it has been in Stage 1E...

It's been a privilege to teach each and every child this year. They have all had a magical year of discovering, exploring and learning. We had some amazing provocations due to the children's eagerness and curiosity to learn.

Term one explored different animal habitats and our classroom fish were loved and welcomed by all. Term two we introduced the children to S.T.E.M and they enjoyed all the fun experiments we did. Term 3 took us on a journey of discovery within our community and we learnt all about community helpers, lastly term four made a nature explorer of each child as we investigated nature and loose parts.

To think most of our little ones were 16 months old when you entrusted us with their education and care. They have each grown and become exceptional in their own way. Their little personalities have blossomed and we have formed such loving and beautiful relationships with each of them.

Parting at the end of a school year is never easy but we find comfort in knowing we have contributed and helped raise your beautiful children. We are so very grateful that we were a part of their adventure and know they will go from strength to strength as they continue their educational journey.

We would like to thank you as parents for your support and kindness throughout the year and we wish you all a beautiful and safe festive season.

REDDAM

Stage 1R

Farewell and a New Beginning

It is farewell from the 1R Babies room as we wrap up another term.

By Ms Amanda Felton

It has been a wonderful and exciting year with the Babies and they will be missed very much by our teachers here at Reddam. Everyone has put in their best effort in our journey of learning. From specialist classes, Drama and My Gym has been a wonderful addition to our Babies wellbeing and overall growth as they learn to communicate with each other and follow instructions for other teachers.

Drama – imaginary play and we finished off our last class by pretending to open up Christmas presents. My-Gym was about following a straight line and doing back flips. Building confidents and strength in those tiny bodies.

As we continue, we have seen our Babies grow and discover new things as we adventure though different areas of learning as we have finished term 4 off with Nature and exploring. Our lovely families will be surprised to see how much work their Babies have put into their artwork when they receive their mini portfolio of art. We are getting ready for big day for our little Babies who have been working hard towards their concert performance. I will be fun to watch and may bring a few tears to the grown-ups also.

A friendly reminder:

Concert date: Monday the 12th of December Please have your little one dressed in white and ready to go by 3:00pm and met us at our class room at that time, so that we can settle everyone before we go onto the stage.

Concert time: 3:30pm Picnic party afterwards, please bring a plate of something yummy to share. No nuts or eggs please. And it’s time to party!

Well done Babies it has been an amazing year and we will surely miss you! And also a big thank you to our lovely families who have been so wonderful. We continue to welcome everyone for years to come.

By Ms Laura Hudson

This week in drama was all about celebrations

Each group started off with a number of colourful and fun-looking aeroplanes. Each group split into two and the children took turns flying the planes. Once they had all stopped I told the children where we had flown to. We flew to England, it was very cold so we wrapped up warm and saw snow falling, so we built a snowman and had a snow fight. We even had a game of charades. The children loved this. In Staged 3 and 4 we also created a postcard of England at Christmas.

Next, we discussed the Hebrew celebration of Hanukkah. Some children who celebrate Hanukkah were keen to tell their peers what the celebration means. Next, the children held hands shaking them 8 times to signify the 8 days of light and in between raised their arms to show the light burning from the candles. We even talked about Ramadam and what this is a celebration of as well as what holidays mean to us not just presents and Santa.

Using the aeroplanes we flew back to Australia and celebrated Christmas the Ozzy way, on the beach with a BBQ creating a picture postcard followed by "Jingle bells in a rusty holden ute"! In Stages 1 and 2 we danced to "Santa Claus is coming to Town" and Rocking around the Christmas Tree. Well done Allegra, Dylan, and Matilda for some wonderful dance moves.

Miss Smelly Cheese made another appearance wishing the children well, a happy holiday and a wonderful celebration however they celebrate. Summer, Sophie, Charlie, Winnie and Henry created some wonderful toys in her Toyshop. Well done.

Thanks, everyone for a wonderful year of Drama. Happy New Year and I will see you all again in 2023.