Bundoora Pre-School Newsletter

age 1/9

Bundoora Pre-School Newsletter Number Eleven, Term Four, December 2014

www.bundoorapreschool.com.au facebook.com/BundooraPreschool

IMPORTANT DATES Term 4, 2014

Clean Up Day Wednesday 17th, December

COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2014

President – Genevieve O’Connor

Vice President – Sarah Treweek

Secretary – Jess Shakespeare

Assistant Secretary – Fiona Dandie

Treasurer – Mat Allen

Assistant Treasurer – Lisa Commandeur

Bundoora Pre-school Association (BPSA) Rep – My Dieng

Maintenance Rep – Mark Green

Group Rep Possums – Novy Dharmawan

Group Reps Koalas – Kerry Watson & Melinda Mossop

Group Reps Bilbies – Amy Armstrong & Denise Chang -Faux

Group Rep Joeys – Fran Ravalli

Fundraising Committee – Ellen Daly, Meaghan Ryan, Debra Braid-wood, Jane Bell, Belinda Thomas & Kristy Ro

FROM THE PRESIDENT

It is hard to believe that this is the final newsletter for 2014. It has been an action packed fun filled year. I can speak for my daughter Grace who has had a wonderful year at kinder and has enjoyed every minute. She loves going to kinder every Monday morning and Friday afternoon to see Fiona and Grazynka and usually has some thing or another to show these wonderful ladies. She did need to be told that "show and tell" had finished because she kept finding new things to show and tell!! On a personal note, I have loved watching Grace grow and develop during her time at kinder and it is due to these wonderful educators, Fiona and Grazynka, who are so caring and nurturing of all the children attending their sessions that make Bundoora Pre School such a special place. I have had the privilege of working with all of the staff at Bundoora Pre School, Ros, Lyn, Dani, Grazynka, Fiona and Marijke (I finally learnt how to spell her name) over the years of my children attending the kinder and I feel privileged to be a part of it. I know you probably all have your own stories and feeling of gratitude for all of the extra work that these people put into their role as educators for our children. The parents who work on the kinder committee to keep the place running really are a special group of people. their ongoing contribution to the kinder really is inspiring. I know we go on and on with thanks for these people, but you really can never say thank you enough for the time and effort they put in. Being a part of the committee can take its toll.... it is very time consuming and sometimes takes away from other important factors in your life. But the rewards that you receive to know that you are contributing in such a positive way to your child's education, out weigh the negatives. Thanks for reading the newsletter each month, it is always full of information that is important to the daily running of kinder and the events that occur at kinder. It has been a pleasure and we look forward to another fun filled year in 2015. As always, if you have an feedback, comments or questions, please contact me at [email protected] or 0408 133 117. For another year... Gen O'Connor President Bundoora Pre School

FUNDRAISING

Hi Everyone, Well what a massive year it has been! We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated goods or their time to help with Fundraising. We honestly could not do it without you!! All up, we managed to raise approximately $11,500 for our awesome Kinder, which will be put to very good use. Personally I would like to acknowledge and thank The Fundraising Team - Meaghan Ryan, Deb Braidwood, Jane Bell, Belinda Thomas and Kristy Rowe.

age 2/9



VISITORS’ SIGN IN BOOK

A requirement of our policies is that we have a Visitors’ Sign in Book.

We will ask that all parents/carers/ special friends who are rostered on for Kinder Duty sign in and out of the Visitors’ Sign in Book. The Visitors’ Sign In Book is located on the bench in the bathroom area. Visitors are also required to wear a badge or lanyard while on the premises. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

FACEBOOK

If you use Facebook as a communication tool, our page so that you can receive updates and reminders in your newsfeed.

www.facebook.com/BundooraPreschool

SOCIAL MEDIA

Parents/carers are reminded of our privacy requirements

From the Privacy Letter all families are asked to complete:

‘It is also requested that photos taken of your child during kinder sessions, that include other children, not be included on social networking websites without the express consent of all pictured children’s parents/carers.’

They have been a great (and fun!) team to work with. The Christmas Raffle will be drawn this Thursday 11th December and winners will be called and put on the Kinder Facebook page. We hope you all have a great Christmas filled with love and laughter!! Thank you, Ellen Daly Fundraising Co-Ordinator

NEWS FROM ROS I would just like to take the opportunity to thank all families from our community for their support throughout the year. This has been an exciting and busy year for the kinder especially in relation to the Assessment and Rating and the wonderful Exceeding result we have achieved. I would like to thank and congratulate all of the Committee on their continued diligence, determination and support which has resulted in another extremely successful year for us all. I know I am continually promoting the fact we are a community kindergarten; one which relies on community support but one which also maintains a community feel because all who are involved are investing community values and acknowledge how important it is to keep our philosophy relative to our community. This is truly one of the amazing aspects of Bundoora Pre School and one which I hope we can sustain for many years to come. QUESTIONAIRRES All families will have received a Questionnaire. It is imperative that we collect feedback from families and I ask if you could you please take the time to complete and return questionnaires promptly. Hard copies can be obtained from the staff and if you would like to complete online please find the document attached to this newsletter. All feedback is considered and is important to the continued relevance of our pre school to the children and families of our community. OUTDOOR PLAY PHILOSOPHY Thank you to all families who offered feedback about the importance and definition of outdoor play. This information is currently being used to develop our Outdoor Play Philosophy document which will be available early in 2015. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN ( QIP) This document is at the centre of our plans for improving our service. It is constantly changing; ideas and plans added and others removed as we successfully achieve what we set out to do. Your ideas and feedback are an integral part of this. Thank you. One of the major plans we are yet to complete is the establishment of our new Adventure Garden. This has been ongoing and we are seeking support from families and the community for help with such things as landscaping, creating pathways, building wall panels, donating and planting plants, making mosaic pavers.... If you are able to support us or you know of a business who could support this venture financially or with labour or materials could you please let

age 3/9



HATS

As per our Sunsmart Policy could all children please bring a named hat along to kinder every day. We have many children without hats. Thank you.

Garden Maintenance

While waiting to pick up your child or if you arrive early for drop off, feel free to grab a broom and sweep the concrete areas or fill a watering can from our water tank and water the plants! Your help is much appreciated!

me know asap. Thank you so much in anticipation. OUR EDUCATORS I would also like to recognise and thank the educators with whom I have the privilege to work alongside. Marijke, Fiona, Lyn, Dani and Grazynka continually demonstrate professionalism, extensive knowledge and experience and collaboratively, as a team, we are continually striving to provide a learning environment for each child and their family. I would like to congratulate them all for another wonderful year of learning and fun and look forward to the journey that will be 2015. Finally I would like to wish you all every good wish for the festive season and a wonderful holiday break. I wish all of our children an amazing year in 2015 wherever they may be. I hope they will remember their kinder years with heartfelt joy and take away an excitement of learning which will remain with them throughout their lives. Ros Doutre Educational Leader Nominated Supervisor

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ADVERTISING IN OUR NEWSLETTER

If any families have small businesses, or know those in the local area who do, and are interested in advertising in this newsletter, please contact us for information about the cost schedule. [email protected] Newsletters are also available at our website: http://bundoorapreschool.com.au/news-and-events/newsletters/

Koala Group News What a busy time of year!

The last month of Kinder many of the children have been busy attending school transition sessions, preparing to move on to their next stage of education. Many of the children are excited to talk about what they have done at school, especially with children who are attending the same school, but also with children who will be going to a different school next year. We recently had an incursion run by ‘Drama Toolbox’. This ‘Tiddalick the Frog’ drama workshop created an outback adventure for the children to explore a well known Dreamtime story. The children re-enacted the Tiddalick story using Australian animal costumes that enabled them to express themselves and engage in movement, dance and drama. Each child was given the opportunity to dress up as two different animals, including emus, kangaroos, frilled neck lizards, wombats, koalas, cockatoos and kookaburras. The children really enjoyed themselves and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to practice a variety of skills across each of the five learning outcomes.

Fun in the Possums Group... November has been a busy month for us all. Many of the children have attended school orientations and they have excitedly shared these experiences with their peers and with their educators. It is also a time when families are becoming busier with preparations and special events. It is important that the children have time to rest and relax. We are actively supporting the children to recognise how their body is feeling and encouraging them to participate in quiet play or to access their drink bottles or to eat a little more at fruit time or remove their jumper so that they are better able to participate with energy, comfort and greater endurance.

Outside play Outside there has been an intentional focus on skill development and consolidation. The children have participated in relay experiences which have required them to observe, wait and then react according to expectations. We have practised throwing and catching using bean bags; individually and with a partner. We have used the parachute to develop upper body strength, motor planning, cooperation and listening. The children have also participated in obstacle courses: climbing up and over the scramble net, crossing the bars, crawling across ladders, sliding and jumping. It has been wonderful to see their confidence and competence progressing so well. Outcome 3 Wellbeing: Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical well being.

We are beginning to share stories about what Christmas means to us. We are also making decorations and gifts. ... and we are practising our songs, dances and drama for our end of year party... so much to do and so much fun to share and so little time!!

Drama Toolbox visited and we all helped dramatize the story of Tiddalick; the frog who drank all the water in the world and how the animals worked collaboratively to support each other to try to resolve this problem. The children selected dress ups to wear and tried really hard to dress themselves and then the story was ready to begin. What a delightful way to share literature, display an understanding of the plot, develop awareness of specific Australian animals, practise self help skills and display confidence to perform. This experience promoted learning across all Outcomes with a focus on Communication and Identity.

My home, my address, my community.. The children have been comparing homes and drawing their own house. We are also consolidating our ‘address’.

THREE YEAR OLD PROGRAM NEWS. . . The children in the three year old program have been very busy lately, immersed in their craft, new experiences and Christmas preparations. The play dough table has been presented with beads, Christmas tree branches and jewels to inspire creations for play. Lovely Christmas trees and scenarios have emerged as the children explain what they have made in detail.The children have also been making Christmas trees with doilies, another procedural task that makes them think about order and method. Nearby a Noah’s Ark wooden play set with various paired animals has provided opportunity for imagined play while consolidating understanding of cultural events. Many children have enjoyed threading their own bracelets and necklaces with beads on pipe cleaners in festive colours of red, white and green. They sit for long periods in pairs and individually with their creations which promotes fine motor development and precision while focused on a task. The collage table is always buzzing with many children working on their projects for much time, attentive and creative; you can really see the thinking and planning emerge as they go. We have also begun our concert preparations, practising our favourite songs for families attending and leaning some new Christmas ones to share. We look forward to the event, it is sure to be a proud display and reminder of just how far the children have travelled in their learning, development and confidence this year!

What’s happening at your local Primary School?

All of our students thoroughly enjoyed participating in Amazing Race Bundoora yesterday. This whole school event consisted of students being placed in House teams with students from other year levels and racing around our school to crack clues and complete challenges. This activity was aimed at

encouraging team work and cooperation, while giving our students exciting, fun memories & broadening friendships around all year levels.

We will soon be announcing our Bundoora Primary School Scholarship of Excellence Awards to a student from each teaching area. Our school values of Excellence, Respect,

Resilience, Friendship & Cooperation are embedded within our teaching program. Our teachers and students pride themselves on displaying and celebrating each of our school values throughout

the school year. Our Scholarship of Excellence Awards will be announced at our Assembly on Monday 15th December where students will be commended for their commitment to learning,

demonstrating outstanding behaviour and always striving to be the best that they can be. Recipients will receive a certificate, an inscribed book, and a cash prize towards their education.

We believe in the importance of acknowledging and congratulating students who have demonstrated exemplary performance to one or more of our Bundoora Primary School Values.

We will be continuing Kindy Time next year which will include Kindy Sport, Kindy Music, Kindy Science and Kindy Craft. All dates will be available on our website

early next year, along with School Tour Dates and Open Days.

To all Bundoora Pre-School staff, committee, and families, thank you for allowing us to contribute to your newsletters this year. We hope we have been able to provide

you all with interesting information about what we do here at Bundoora Primary School. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and safe holidays.

More than just classrooms……………. ………..….Come and feel the difference.

B U N D O O R A

BUNDOORA PRE SCHOOL: Term 4 Parent Questionnaire 2014 Dear Parents, Part of our official Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) requirements and our undertaking to provide a quality early childhood program, is to survey parents regarding our ongoing service delivery. This is the final survey for this year. This questionnaire will be used to gauge parent perspective of the kindergarten administration, timetable, program, child transition, staff/child and staff/parent relationships and the overall effectiveness of learning opportunities for each of your children. The purpose of this questionnaire is to assist the Staff and Committee of Management in future planning to ensure the Pre School program and administration is meeting the needs of our service users as best as possible. Please note: Your feedback is vital. Could all parents please complete the questionnaire and return to kinder by Friday 5th December. Thank you. ................................................................................................................................................. 1. Have you been satisfied with the administration of the Pre School? Please comment. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………................................................................................................................................... 2. What have been some of the major gains for your child this year at pre school.

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3. What do you consider have been some of the positive experiences / aspects of the program? .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................……………………

4. What do you consider have been some of the negative experiences / aspects of the program?

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.................................................................................................………………………………… 5. Please comment on the staff / child relationship ?

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6. Please comment on the staff/ parent relationship? .…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......

7. Do you feel there has been sufficient staff / parent communication? Please comment. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................…………………………………… 8. What changes do you think might be made to improve the program/ other areas? .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………........................................................ 9. Following on from comments made earlier in the year, do you have any further comments about the Four Year Old Program 2014 timetable and the decision to change from a four day program to a three day program in 2015. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10. Do you have any other comments? ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11. Have you been satisfied with the Pre School service offered to you this year? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............... Thank you for your giving up your time to assist the Staff and the Committee of Management with your valuable comments. Ros Doutre on behalf of the Staff and Committee of Management.

Documents

Bundoora Pre-School Newsletter