Early Childhood Education – Is it Really Necessary?

When considering writing an article for this newsletter, my thoughts led to a question I was posed by someone I recently met when I told them what I do. They bravely asked - “Is kindergarten really necessary?”

My immediate response was, ‘Yes. Of course’ and I jumped into a rhetoric of my well-rehearsed philosophical beliefs. However, in retrospect this question made me reflect on what I believe in and practise. Why do I think early childhood education is important?

There is considerable research that suggests that high-quality early childhood education is an extraordinarily powerful means to promote continued success for a child’s future schooling and workplace and social life. Indeed, it may seem surprising, but the experiences of children in their early years has disproportionately large impacts relative to experiences during their school years and beyond. In other words, it is important to recognise that high quality education early in life gives children the best start.

There are a number of essential benefits of early childhood education:

Early childhood education fosters an enthusiasm for lifelong learning.
As Early Learning Centre (ELC) educators, our role is to inspire children to learn with enthusiasm and eagerness. Research shows us that children who take part regularly in a quality ELC program such as Kilvington, are more likely to become confident and curious about the world, and ultimately perform well at school.
At Kilvington ELC, we encourage the holistic development of the young child.
The approach taken to build a strong foundation for a child’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual development, will prepare them for a positive future. Indeed, early childhood educators are trained in identifying areas where support is needed for each child as well as extending areas of learning.
Children learn to belong to a community and get along with others.
A walk within our ELC will enable you to see this in action. On any given day the children are learning to make friends, to share and take turns and to co-operate. They learn to listen to others and to communicate their own ideas.
A quality ELC program enables each child to develop a strong sense of wellbeing.
This provides children with confidence, optimism and self-esteem which will allow them to approach situations and problems confidently throughout their lives. It also enables each child to learn to be independent and to take responsibility for others’ needs as well as for their own.

Early childhood education is so much more than playing. While the basic educational benefits of attending our Kilvington ELC are tangible, the advances children achieve towards becoming well-rounded individuals are truly invaluable.

Lyn Pewtress, ELC Coordinator

Getting to Know Our Junior School Leaders

Chloe Mouchacca, Y6

My name is Chloe Mouchacca and I am one of your two Junior School Captains for 2017. As so many children around the globe do not have the privilege to attend school, I make the most of every opportunity Kilvington offers me (just like this one - being a school captain).

I came to Kilvington in Year 5 and I have strived to achieve my own personal goals ever since. I hope that during my time as School Captain - and the rest of my time in a learning environment - I can inspire others to do their best and accomplish their own goals.

I enjoy learning about new cultures and trying new foods. I also like to play sport and read during my spare time.

I want to thank everyone in the Kilvington community for this honour. It really means the world to me. Thank you so much and good luck to all in 2017.

George Hiladakis, Y6

Leadership means many things to me. It means having the strength to make good decisions, the ability to communicate well with everyone, acting responsibly and being inclusive. It means making a difference. Not just any difference, but a positive difference for the students and the School.

Everybody has their own individual qualities whether they are academic, sporting, musical or artistic; each person has something to contribute to the School and this leadership role.

This year, I will encourage Junior School students to speak freely to the leaders and give their opinions on the choices being made or that will be made. I hope that together we will make this year a successful and positive experience for everybody at Kilvington.

I'd like to finish on a quote by Alexander the Great: ‘I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.’ So if you see any lions or sheep lurking around Kilvington, then this quote will be very useful to them.

Press Club – A League of their Own

In early March, Hannah McCorquodale, Jasmine Fassoulis and Olivia Gleeson accompanied by Mr Charlton had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Melbourne Press Club Luncheon ‘A League of Their Own.’

The guest speakers were AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan, star Western Bulldogs player and NAB AFL Women’s Academy Manager, Aaster O’Connor, and journalist Sam Lane. It was a fantastic chance to hear about where the future of women’s football is heading, especially when they mentioned women’s football cards would be coming soon!

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

Hannah McCorquodale, Y10, Jasmine Fassoulis Y11, and Olivia Gleeson Y12

Music Notes

I would like to welcome you all to what promises to be a fabulous year in music! The music department is buzzing with lots of enthusiasm, positivity and a wonderful array of new groups.

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” Albert Einstein

New Groups

This year, Kilvington has introduced four new choral groups to the program.

Contemporary Choir is open to all staff and students from Years 7-12. The rehearsals are Friday mornings from 7.30-8.25am.

Cantata Choir is an auditioned choir for students in Years 7 and 8. The rehearsals are on a Monday lunchtime.

Kilvington Krooners is a choir for boys only from Years 9-12. Rehearsals are Wednesday mornings from 7.30-8.25am.

Kilvington Kadences is a choir for girls only from Years 9-12. Rehearsals are Thursday lunchtimes with extra rehearsals as required.

I encourage all students to take part in the choral program. It is anticipated this area will grow, and it is planned in the future to take the choirs overseas to perform once the standard has been reached.

Starting the day with singing is both beneficial to the brain and to your health.

Early morning rehearsals getting you down? Why not organise a car pool on a Friday morning or catch the train with some friends? Noah, our music captain, is in the process of organising a warm drink and snack to welcome you to choir in the mornings. We will also be electing choir captains soon.

Scheduling of Instrumental Lessons

Instrumental staff spend a great deal of time preparing a rotational timetable for their students. Whilst staff try to accommodate parent requests, VCE students must take priority with lessons scheduled in free periods and lunchtimes.

If your son/daughter has a test in class and needs to rearrange a lesson, the instrumental staff member must be given adequate notice. All academic staff provide notice when tests will occur in the classroom prior to the test day. Students cannot ask their instrumental teacher to change their lesson time on the day of the test. They must have at least 24 hours’ notice.

Parents must alert the performing arts administrator if their child is sick on the day of a timetabled instrumental lesson. 24 hours’ notice must be given to have a lesson rescheduled.

Grease

Rehearsals for the Kilvington musical are well underway. With our biggest cast ever, Grease promises to be a wonderful night’s entertainment. All students have been working incredibly hard two nights after school each week and the show is starting to take shape. In future newsletters, we will have a feature on our leads and our chorus members. Ticket details will be available soon.

Parents please be aware that a segment of Grease will be featured at our World Fair performances. Details to be sent home soon.

Student Achievements

This will be a regular segment in ITK. Please let me know of any student achievements in performing arts such as a performance in an Eisteddfod, dance competition, a part in a dramatic play or a performance in the wider community. I will publish these each newsletter.

Star of the Week

This will be another new initiative in ITK. A student who shows promise, talent, enthusiasm and skill will be chosen each fortnight as ‘The Star of the Week’.

This week our star is Noah Dixon-Sole. Noah is our Music Captain and is doing a fabulous job promoting and encouraging students to participate in the Performing Arts program. Noah, a self-proclaimed non-singer, has been to every Krooners and Contemporary choir rehearsal, has recruited performers for assemblies, performs in many instrumental groups and is the epitome of enthusiasm. Congratulations Noah!

Diary Dates

19 March

Concert and Stage Band performance at Allnut Park

All Day Grease rehearsal 9.00am-5.00pm

25 March

World Fair – all music groups, drama solos, music solos and dance groups will be performing. Letters to be sent home soon.

28 March

Contemporary choir, Kadences and Dolce String quartet performing at the Easter services.

7 May

Grease rehearsal 9.00 – 5.00pm

9 May

Year 10 and VCE recital 6.00-7.00pm

10 May

Glen Eira City Council Recognition service. Kadences and Krooners performing. Details to be sent home soon.

14 May

Grease rehearsal 9.00-5.00pm.

18 – 20 May

Senior School Production of Grease.

Ms Nicole Bull

Academic Dean of Performing Arts

Student Achievements

Victorian State Champion