Waratah Group Term 4, 2023

What a fantastic year we have had in Waratah!

This term, as throughout the year, we have continued to plan the program based on independence, autonomy and social and emotional skills, as these are important developmental areas and skills for children to have to ensure a smooth transition to school.

Many children in the group have been interested in making books, so we always have book making available as well as lots of word labels and word mats if they would like to use these as cues for writing thus extending their interest in literacy. There are opportunities to “sign in” at the desk on arrival which is totally optional. We also provide writing/drawing experiences in the role play areas and outside we have clipboards and wring implements.

We will be extending our sewing and weaving experiences in the next few weeks to encourage the children to have a plan for their work - what materials are needed, colours, sizes of fabric, a template etc for their creation thus encouraging their metacognition skills.

Metacognition refers to a student’s knowledge of their own thought process. Metacognitive thinking process allows students to self-regulate and direct their thoughts, behaviours, and actions toward their goals, a skill which will support them at school and beyond.

We have been continuing to observe lifecycles through our planting and are watching as the strawberry plants have started to flower again and the snow peas we planted a few weeks ago are now looking very healthy and will hopefully flower soon. We revisit our composting experiment often to check what items have broken down, composted completely or haven’t changed. Revisiting this experiment always provides opportunities for discussions on recycling, reusing, only taking what you need, endangered animals and so on.

Transition reports for children attending school in 2024 have been or are in the process of being emailed to you ready for you to complete your sections with your child. Once you have completed they will be uploaded to the system and your child’s School will have access to them. All of the information in them helps Foundation teachers to get to know the children entering their classes before they start; and to plan appropriate learning and teaching programs and have strategies in place.

There are two more books to go home as part of the Building home Libraries Program which has been funded through the School Readiness Fund provided by the Department of Education, so watch out for these.

As you all know in Waratah group, we have been working with relievers since Alice left suddenly towards the end of Term 2 and whilst not ideal, it has been a positive learning experience for the children to work with different staff, and to see different ways of being and doing and coping with change.

Thank you to all of the family members who have helped out with washing, working bees committee roles and have joined us in the session at various times throughout the year, it has been so wonderful to have a completely “normal” year again!

Waratah end of year “concert”: Thursday 14th December, 2pm 

Waratah children party and last session (Livcare will run as normal on this day)

NB: Monday 18th December - NO Livcare on this day.

Louise and Tina.