This term in the Infant Program we are continuing with our focus on the senses and exploring colour along with all the usual shelf and outdoor activities. For the first part of the term we are looking at the colours black and white. Darcy is making a black and white 'straw necklace' which involves colour coding, fine motor skills and concentration which he is demonstrating.

Preschool students have started the term learning about the world that we live in. They have been introduced to land, air and water and have had discussions about where we can find them on planet earth. Piper contributed to the discussion on water stating that, “Rivers can link into oceans!”, while Indi added that, “Rain goes into rivers. All water stuff comes from the rains.”

After showing the jar with only air, Arlo said, “Air! Air is all around us! Air is invisible!”. They enjoyed watching a demonstration of a balloon being blown up with air, and then seeing a ribbon move when the balloon was released.

They found it very interesting that big masses of water such as rivers, lakes, oceans are like big puddles and that land is underneath. This photo shows Vincent, Magnus and Freya sorting pictures into the categories of ‘land’, ‘air’ and ‘water’ – a very popular activity in our classroom at the moment!

Lunch time play, especially in the bush, is often reported as a favourite part of the Cycle One students day.

"I like playing with my friends Noah and Reggie in the bush. We play all sorts of games like Double D", Charlie.

"I like building cubbies in the bush", Harry.

Many children choose to spend play time in other ways like attending lunch time club, playing in the sandpit or the classroom. Playing ‘hairdressers’ has been a popular past time recently. This game has included making signs to direct clients, creating a sign-in sheet, arranging a waiting area and styling space as well as creating hair styles. The clients have included other Cycle 1 children, some lucky staff members and some obliging Cycle 3 students.

“I play hairdressers with Florence, Matilda, Amber and Sahara. Someone is the hairdresser and they tie the hair. It is very fun. Some people do other jobs like telling people to sign in”, Maggie.

(P.S. We have not yet had to hide the scissors!) 

Work has begun on the Cycle 2 outdoor area. After many brainstorming and design sessions, the Cycle has settled on four main outdoor projects. Weaving designs on the fence, creating wind chimes out of recycled materials, making over the sandpit and making artwork and signs to display.

We thought it would be lovely to hang wind chimes up by the sandpit because they make a really calming sound. - Avi

We like the idea of stepping stones to the sandpit so we are going to make some. - Ashlee W

We made different weaving designs like rainbows and weaving positive words like be kind. - Ashlee G

On Wednesday Cycle 3 headed to the Adelaide Central Markets for our first excursion of the term. It was a great opportunity to spend time with our friends, enjoy the treats the markets had to offer and embark on a treasure hunt to find items from different continents from around the world. Some of the items we found were vanilla sugar from South America, coffee beans from Africa, chocolates from North America, glazed ginger from Europe, emu sausage rolls from Oceania and durian from Asia. Without a doubt we had a great time completing our treasure hunt, hanging out with our friends, getting to know our peers better and enjoying the delicious treats the markets have to offer.

Another traditional Indonesian children’s game learned in Cycle 1 and 2 is the popular ‘Ular Naga’ (the ‘Dragon game’), which focuses on coordinated body movements, cooperation and concentration. Students sing the song and parade around the room like a dragon, holding each other’s shirt tails, and taking turns passing through the ‘terowongan’ (tunnel). At each pause in the song, students practise a simple verbal exchange by asking and answering the question ‘Kamu pilih apa?’ (‘What do you choose?’).  Topics of choice are discussed and decided by themselves from previous learning activities and can include colours, numbers, body parts or Indonesian animals etc. The main aim of the game is that they must work collaboratively in order to ensure the snaking form of the ‘ular naga’ not be broken. Through this fun game, students have opportunities to further develop and use their new language competencies, cognitive skills, social interaction and physical dexterity in a relaxed and playful environment. 

Yuk kita bermain! (C’mon let’s play!)

As a part of the school’s RAP actions, each class is taking turns to create their own Acknowledgement of Country.  At the last assembly, Bonnie and Penny’s class presented a slideshow of images of each child enjoying time in nature, along with information about which first nation they are on in the picture.  We also had a short video of several children reading an Acknowledgement statement about how lucky we are to attend school on Peramangk Country.  We have made a poster, which is displayed next to the entry to our classroom.  You are welcome to come and have a look!

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim custom which means ‘festival of breaking the fast’. It is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a month when many Muslims fast to practice self-control and develop empathy for less fortunate people. If one chooses not to fast, it is common practise to give the same food that you are eating to someone that does not have access to a plentiful amount of food.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are in line with the lunar calendar which means the dates vary each year. This year Eid al-Fitr begins on the evening of Wednesday the 12th of May and ends on the evening of Thursday the 13th of May. Adelaide celebrates this with ‘Adelaide’s Multicultural Eid Festival’ on the following weekend.

“Eid Festival is South Australia’s largest and most prestigious Eid celebration. The Eid Festival is the premier Muslim celebration for one of two important occasions in the year: Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha. This self-funding, not for profit community event draws and binds people of all different cultures together during this great celebration time. It is also a chance for non-Muslim Australians to be exposed to Muslim culture, food and family fun.” – Adelaide Eid Festival

When: Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd May, 12:00-8:00pm

Where: Adelaide Showground

Entry: $5 per person Online, $35 on the day

Our celebration of Mums continued today, with students in the Extended Day program hosting an afternoon tea for mums, grandmothers and other special guests. The Extended Day Program is an extension of our Preschool Program and children are offered a place to attend 4.5 days per week when they are developmentally ready. It has a focus on early literacy and numeracy skills, developing social and work skills such as cooperation, confidence and concentration, and provides greater opportunity for group work and whole class activity. The Extended Day Program is excellent preparation for the child prior to starting in our primary school.  Before guests arrived for the afternoon tea, students spent the morning preparing food, setting the tables and designing placemats. They had a lesson on greeting their guests and serving food prior to hosting the afternoon. It gave students the chance to put their Practical Life skills to work and practice Grace and Courtesy. Most importantly, it gave students the opportunity to show Mum and the other special people in their life, how much they love and appreciate them.

Next week we will distribute the 2020 Annual Report to our school community to read and share, outlining the school’s activities for the 2020 school year.  We hope you enjoy reading all of the wonderful learning activities the students were engaged in throughout last year.  The Annual Report also details the general school operations highlighting the progress and growth that has been made in the twelve month period. 

The 2020 financial statements are not included in the annual report; however if any school community members would like to peruse the financial statements they are available at the office. 

The Annual Report document can also be used in a marketing and promotional manner and be provided to prospective families if they are interested.  I have no doubt many of our school families will want to share the report with family and friends.  We are also happy for you to share the document with anyone you know who is perhaps seeking more information or interested in the school as a prospective family.  If you don’t receive a copy please contact the school office.

A huge thank you to Nicki Stewart (parent) for designing the document and putting many hours into it to make it look so professional.  Thank you to Anthea Hagar for her input on the design and layout and thanks to Pete Kupniewski (parent) for his time in editing the document. We very much appreciate all of you generously sharing your skills.  

Montessori Schools and Centres Australia (MSCA; sounds like 'MISS-kah') is hosting a workshop on Montessori's Four Planes of Development as a tool for parents on Thursday 13th May from 6 - 7.30pm.

To book please visit msca.edu.au or the link below & use code MSCAPARENT for a $30 ticket!

Presented by Simone Davies, educator and author of The Montessori Notebook website and podcast. All attendees will go into the draw to win a copy of Simone Davies’ book, The Montessori Toddler.

https://msca.edu.au/event/simone-davies-four-planes/

Congratulations to Nikki Green (Learning Support assistant) who recently completed an AMI Montessori 6-12 Assistants Certificate through the Maria Montessori Institute in London UK.