11 Weeks of Learning & Ada

Curiosity continues to be a place where children and seen, known and encouraged to explore their curiosities.  It has been a long first term for many of our children who have entered into their first formal experience of learning in an environment that promotes collaboration and citizenship.  This requires a skill set that needs identifying, developing and celebrating.  To see the growth in the children from Week 1 to now is remarkable and we hope that this was translated to you at our recent Living & Learning Conversations.  

Our Lutheran Education Australia document 'Growing Deep', shares some clear statements on what is to be a learner, and as I reflected on the document this week, I came across some phrases that resonated with me about the learning that has transpired this term.  

"Learning and adapting...includes being open minded to new information and feedback from others, objectively considering other interpretations and demonstrating a readiness to adapt thinking and practice, involves the capacity to transform one's habitual, mental and emotional patterns, choosing alternate ways of thinking, feeling and acting that enable us to reach our highest potential" (p. 14).

Positioning oneself as a learner requires us to be, "open to change and improvement, modify our actions and decisions, rethink strategies and plans and to transform one's patterns of thinking, feeling and acting" (p. 14).  

What powerful statements of learners!  I have seen traces of this throughout Term 1 which simply excitements me about the potential possibilities that lie before us next term. Exploring the world with others can be challenging to navigate but worth it when we can see how it enriches our experiences.

I am so grateful for our team of Educators who have diligently worked and been responsive to each child's needs this term to begin the year well.  The start to formal learning can be a overwhelming event for children and families, so to have a learning environment that prioritises relationship above anything else is a blessing to be part of.  

Thank you to our remarkable children who challenge and delight us daily in their ability to create theory, challenge their thinking and to express themselves without limitation.  As we take time to listen deeply each day, it never ceases to amaze us how wonderfully made each of these children are and how blessed we are to be part of their learning journey.

In Term 2, we will be sending Miss Phoebe and Mrs Amelia off on their teaching placements for the first 5 weeks.  We shall miss them deeply but are so grateful that their desire to learn and grow into even more amazing early years educators is something they are giving time too.  We pray that time spent in these new learning communities will be met with great inspiration and blessing.  Miss Nicola and Mrs Hawke will stepping in during their absence.  

As some of our families take the next few weeks together, we pray for your safety as you explore and learn together.  We look forward to hearing about your experiences.  

Thank you for your participation, support and encouragement this term.

Blessings to you and your familiy, 

Jacqui