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It is so hard to believe we are more than half way through Term 3! Where does the time go? As we approach this time of the year we know lots of families are starting to think about their child’s journey into beginning Kindergarten. This is a very exciting time, with many children eager to start ‘Big School’ and all that entails – a new school uniform, a classroom and new teacher, and learning to read. For some students, the thought of starting school – meeting new people and being in different place with different routines, can also be a little daunting.
As we look at this year’s cohort of students we can see such growth in them as learners and we are confident that they are ready for this transition to more formal learning.
What kinds of things do we observe that show us children are ready for school?
- They are able to follow simple directions in the classroom.
- They are able to focus and attend to group learning sessions and maintain their attention to complete a simple activity (drawing, painting, completing a puzzle).
- They are able to join in play with others, contribute their ideas to play scenarios and listen to others.
- They can take turns, share resources and cooperate with others to play simple games ie bingo or snakes and ladders.
- They are showing lots of interest in print in their everyday lives – whether at the shops, looking at stories or noticing signs at the park.
- They are able to take care of their belongings – pack their bags, find their lunch box at eating times, put their jumper on independently.
- They are able to communicate their needs and wants to others – their peers and known adults.
There are lots of beautiful resources available that can support children’s transition to school and build their familiarity with school. For children feeling nervous about school, spending some time reading stories about school or watching shows, can help to provide a model of what school days will be like. There will be opportunities for students to visit their schools for orientation mornings, or to meet their teachers. Students have also had lots of opportunities to participate in events and elements of school life at St Anthonys – such as assemblies, meeting with our buddies, Italian lessons, and library. All these opportunities help to build their familiarity with places and ways of learning at school, even though students may be attending schools other than St Anthony’s next year.
For those of you after some resources, there are some lovely e-books about starting school on the ACT Directorate website. You may wish to print these out to include in your child’s book collection at home.
https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/starting_school/before-your-child-starts-school
Playschool also has an episode on starting school that would be great to watch together with your child.
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/play-school-ready-set-big-school
The ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations and the ACT Education Directorate are holding a Parent Webinar on Starting Preschool or Kindergarten. You are invited to join, on Thursday September 12 from 7:30-8:30pm. Families can register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ub-BJR38TSO56a1SXVHfwA
Next week – Week 8 – we welcome Sarah Power to our ELC for the week. Sarah is completing a leadership practicum experience as part of her university study. She will be shadowing our ELC Director Bec for the week – and will get to meet the students and spend some time in each of the classrooms. Please make Sarah feel welcome. She currently works for Northside Community Service as the Director of the Yarauna Early Childhood Centre at CIT.
The Primary School clothing pool has Preschool second hand items for sale.
Please see below the Opening Times for the remainder of term 3.
| Week 5 | Saturday 24th August | 9:30 - 11am |
| Week 7 | Saturday 7th September | 9:30 - 11am |
| Week 9 | Saturday 21st September | 9:30 - 11am |
The clothing pool is located beside the hall, accessed from the walkway out the front.
New ELC hats are now available for purchase through the Clothing Pool.
These can also be purchased via QKR! (like a lunch order). Please let us know if you have ordered one & we will get it to your child.
A free family event with ‘Bluey’ creator Joe Brumm will be held at Merici College on Wednesday 11 September.
Get in quick and register as the spots are limited.
Presented by Catholic School Parents Canberra and Goulburn with the support of Catholic Education, the event aims to bring families from across the Archdiocese together, to listen to Joe talk about why he thinks Bluey has been such a success and the important role parents play in their child’s learning and development.
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to Jessica, Zali & Adam,
Happy Birthday to You
!Hip Hip Hooray!
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Thank you.
Click on your child's classroom picture below to see their class newsletter.
