Kindergarten

Welcome to Kindergarten, 2026. What an exciting year this will be. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce all the Kindergarten teachers and the additional teachers that will be working with your child throughout the year.

Please see below for email contacts for the Kindergarten teachers. Teachers do endeavour to check their emails throughout the day; however, if the message is urgent, or it is after 12:30 pm, please phone the office on 6772 4263.

Mrs McIntyre - Kindergarten Meerkats (email: debra.byfield@det.nsw.edu.au)

Mrs Tanner - Kindergarten Echidnas (email: eliza.drozdowski2@det.nsw.edu.au) 

Mrs Gray - Kindergarten Giraffes (email: heidi.gray1@det.nsw.edu.au)

We are encouraging students to eat their lunch at our first break of the day which is 11:10am as they are quite hungry and have more time to eat. Students can then have a snack in the ten minutes allocated for eating time at 1:45pm. 

 Additional teachers are:

English

We are learning to:

• understand that words ending in the same sound rhyme (c-at & m-at) 
• identify words that rhyme 
• identify words in texts 
• count words in written and spoken sentences
• break words into parts (syllables) 
• count the syllables in words. 

Mathematics

We are learning to:

• accurately count objects to answer the question of ‘how many?’
• recognise small collections of objects without counting
• count and record the digit for each number to 10
• identify and draw straight and curved lines
• compare and describe closed shapes and open lines.

Science and Technology

We are learning to:

• identify the sense organs and describe their functions e.g. nose is to smell, mouth is to taste

Geography 

We are learning to:

•  identify land and water and name the cultural land we live and play as Anaiwan land

Personal Development and Health (PDH)

We are learning to:

• identify some of the skills needed to become successful PAX leaders
• effectively brush their teeth 
• correctly handwash their hands
• safely coughing and sneezing practices
• make choices and ask for help when needed.

Visual Arts

We are learning to:

• represent our family through drawing
• use scissors to cut around our family pictures.

Drama

We are learning to:

• use our imagination in dramatic situations

Reminders

• Please ensure your child’s belongings, such as jumpers and hats, are clearly labelled with their name.
• Do you have access to Schoolbytes? This is our main form of communication to parents about upcoming events and other important information. 
• If the way your child is going home changes, please phone the school and advise.
• Please pack chopped fresh fruit or vegetables for ‘crunch and sip’ in a small, separate container, especially if your child uses a bento style box. 

Our first days in Kindergarten

Deb McIntyre, Heidi Gray and Eliza Tanner

Early Stage 1 Teachers