As part of our History discovery Reception classes investigated toys that our parents and Grandparents played with.
We discovered some familiar toys that continue to be popular throughout the generations … and some fun old discoveries.
Each year as part of Woodend’s Transition program, we conduct school-to-kindy and kindy-to-school play visits. Reception children visit the Woodend Children’s Centre to reacquaint or meet the teachers, children and the learning space and in Term 3, our Reception classes are hosts to the kindy children. It is often a very engaging experience for ex-Woodend Children Centre children as they love to meet up with their teachers again, their kindy friends and return to play spaces that provided fond memories.
In Term 3, the kindy children have the opportunity to visit our Reception classrooms. They meet the teachers and children and experience our learning spaces both inside and out. We also enjoy having Trott Park Kindy children visit us this term or in Term 4.
During Term 4, the kindy children also have formal Orientation visits where they spend time in their 2019 classroom and meet children from other prior-to-school settings. We believe this aspect of the Transition program assists the kindy children to gradually transition to school and to develop familiarity with our school environment.
Recently, Room 5 visited Woodend Children’s Centre and in the coming weeks will be Rooms 5, 27 and 18.
We are going to offer over-the-counter items as a trial on a fortnightly basis. We are hopeful the students and staff trial and enjoy them.
Starting next week (Week 9) we will be selling:
Why don’t you give these a try and let us know what you think! We welcome your feedback
Please pack come money to try these items next week!
It is hard to believe that the first week has gone! The new Reception children have successfully managed their first week of school life. The parents/carers and Reception teachers have benefitted from some quality time to talk about their child and about the year ahead.
We enjoyed meeting you at Monday’s “Cheers or Tears” parent/carer get together. We didn’t have to get many tissues ready but instead had a beverage and enjoyed the company of others experiencing the kindy/school transition for 2017. We had the opportunity to meet Mr Steve Freeman, our new Principal, Pamela Hansen, our new School Chaplain, members of the Leadership team, Governing Council and Parent Network. We had a very positive turn-out and trust that this will set the tone for many school community events throughout the year ahead.
We thank parents/carers for preparing your child to:
and for parents/carers themselves to:
We are most appreciative of your involvement in your child’s start to school and we hope that you build a sense of connectedness within our school community.
Can you be a “bowerbird” during the holidays? To build up supplies in the sandpit, outdoor and indoor play areas could you collect:
The items can be left in Mrs Luke’s office. Thank you for your support of the play program.
Here is the ‘Welcome to new families’ parent information session that was conducted by Brian Marshall and Cathie Luke at the first Orientation visit last Thursday 1 December 2016. This may be helpful if you were unable to attend or you would like to reference some sections.
Our second and final Orientation visit is this Thursday 8 December and your child is in the same session as last Thursday. Parent/carers do not need to stay for the 90 minutes.
[embeddoc url=”https://wpsnewstarters.edublogs.org/files/2016/12/Transition-keynote-2016–1kqsk99.pdf” viewer=”google”]
What do we mean when we talk about executive functions? What are they? What do they mean for my child starting school? How can I help my child continue to develop these executive functions? This article explains the eight key executive functions. We hope you find this useful.
It is soon time for Woodend’s Orientation visits for new Reception children. We welcome and look forward to meeting children and families visiting our school. The children and parents/carers will have an opportunity to meet the leadership team, spend time in their classroom and with their 2017 teacher/s. This will take place on Thursday 1 December and Thursday 8 December 2016.
For some children starting school it can be exciting and fun, for some it is approached with caution, and for others it is an anxious time. Our team of Reception teachers, School Service Officers and leaders are well aware of the varying emotions that come with changing learning environments and we also know that transition to school takes time. We look forward to and work hard at building warm and positive relationships with each child and family. Our ‘Building Connections Conversations in Term 1 Week 1 provides us with that opportunity to find out more about your child from you that assists us to better accommodate for your child’s needs.
Transitioning to school requires a partnership – the partnership of the teacher/s, the child and the parents/carers. In every way possible we work to effect a smooth transition for your child. Together we want your child to feel comfortable, valued and develop a sense of belonging and identity within their friendship group, classroom and school. There are many ways we, together, can support your child to transition smoothly. One resource, Kids Matter ‘Thinking about Transition to School’ information sheet written by Jane Godwin provides valuable tips. We hope you find this information sheet useful.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school, post a question, or speak to a member of staff at the Orientation visits.