Early Learning
National Reconciliation Week
This week at Kinder we have learned about National Reconciliation Week. We have listened to the story Say Yes by Jennifer Castles, a story about how the events surrounding the historic 1967 Referendum played out in the everyday lives of two young girls. We also watched a Key Word Sign video about Reconciliation Week, and learned an Auslan sign for "Australia" that was developed by members of Australia's deaf Indigenous community; Muthi Muthi woman Samantha Wilson and Narungga woman Joanna Agius. On Wednesday the Wombat group were fortunate to have Olivia’s mum Steph come in to talk about their time living in Borroloola (Northern Territory) and about Aboriginal culture. Steph also set up two amazing sensory play experiences for the children - frog ponds and crocodiles in mud!
Beth Parker & Hayley Pallister
Head of Early Learning / Early Learning Teacher
The Flying Bookworms
On Thursday 1st June, our Possum and Echidna 4-Year-Old groups were treated to a performance by The Flying Bookworms. Claire and Jake kept us captivated as we interactively engaged with the stories Market Square, Caps for Sale and The Billy Goats Gruff. The Bookworms reminded us that we can all tell our own stories too.
"I liked it because it was really funny" - Miriam
"I liked it because I got to be one of the cheeky monkeys!" - Mila
"I loved them because they went ooh ooh ah ah ooh ooh ah ah!" - Sorcha
"My favourite bit was when the monkeys taked off the caps" - Cooper
"My favourite part was the market, there was not any rabbits. The man with the fish was so funny!" - Jimmy
Beth Parker & Sian Duggan
Head of Early Learning / Early Learning Teacher
Orchestra Victoria
Last week, the Possum group were grateful to be invited to the Warrnambool Library to watch a performance of Little Puggle's Song by Vikki Conley. Members of Orchestra Victoria played music by composer Maria Grenfell to bring the story to life. Children were very interested in the instruments and each child had a favourite one. We are already quite familiar with the violin as we are sometimes treated to performances by the amazing Mrs Ezzy, but we were pretty impressed to see the huge double bass! After the performance we enjoyed looking at some books in the new Library building. We were very excited to be able to travel to and from the Library on the King's College bus! Thank you to all of our wonderful parent helpers, and to Mr Haworth for driving the bus.
Beth Parker
Head of Early Learning
The Kinder Unicorn
On Tuesday morning, Nellie found some suspicious looking brown goo on the lawn in the yard. Because of my years of experience as an educator, I was able to identify the lumpy brown stuff as Unicorn poo. Children enthusiastically made a Unicorn trap in order to catch it so it could tell us all about life as a Unicorn. Ziggy took charge of collecting evidence, and found quite a bit of glitter and sparkly things outside! In order to lure it to the silver trap, the children made a list of what they thought would make the Unicorn climb into the box.
On Thursday, children brought some things in and the trap was set, with an apple, a carrot, a flower, a cupcake and some glitter! Later that day we tiptoed outside to see if the Unicorn had taken the bait. Children were amazed to discover the Unicorn had taken a bite out of the apple and the carrot, and had left bags of pretend Unicorn poo for everyone to enjoy! The looks of delight on children's faces were more magical than the Unicorn.
Judi Missen
Early Learning Teacher
Thank You Mr Bail
We would like to thank Mr Lachlan Bail for pumping up our sports equipment, bringing over Soccer nets, being our goalie, organising our shed for us, and preserving the backs and hips of the geriatric educators among us.
Beth Parker
Head of Early Learning
Sign of the Week
Our sign of the week is 'Book'. Here is a video of Priscilla, Mrs Missen, Mace, Ada and Tobias using the sign for book in a song!
Beth Parker
Head of Early Learning
All the Best Mrs Missen!
The Possum and Wombat groups and all of the educators would like to wish Mrs Missen all the best for her upcoming two week placement. We will miss you, and look forward to hearing all about your adventures with younger children!
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 18:15
Beth Parker
Head of Early Learning