02/07/2024
Wet weather and requests from the children called for a change of play space today! As the children settled in to their play in the Resource Centre, the fun began!
Construction started under the window seat with little nooks and crannies that the boys designed. Master F and Master J looked surprised as I snapped them with them mechanical Nintendo remotes.
Iron on beads led to small amounts of frustration as Miss T took on a rather complex giraffe design which she successfully and proudly completed prior to lunch.
Master A took on board the role of engineer as he assisted Master M to extend on his box house/car into the masterpiece it has now become.
Master L proudly read a story to a couple of his peers while a group of studious poppers spent time with Mrs Sato making Pom Poms.
With the drizzle about, a somewhat adjusted game of soccer ensued undercover which still produced great goals. Master
28/06/2024
What a wonderful way to spend a Friday! After some time outside, some children tried to win big money in a friendly game of Deal or No Deal while others created some lovely salt dough creations.
I can’t wait to see what next week brings!
18/06/2024
So many intentional and spontaneous activities and invitations today gave the children numerous opportunities to engage and have fun.
An impromptu dance show was quite the hit, following rehearsals from Monday to today’s performance. Pokémon cards and games captivated most of the boys, while board games and card games were also popular throughout the day.
Innovative "Ball Games" were created using resources such as paper, string, and aluminum foil. Each child crafted their own unique version to take home and share with their families.
Miss L attempted to build a LEGO marble run but got distracted by other activities, deciding to continue it tomorrow.
Soccer was once again a huge draw for outdoor fun, while others created a pulley system to lift the kick brick to the top of the playground. Bikes were ridden, and a cozy warm “pod” space was made.
All in all, it was a very productive day for everyone.
12/06/2024
What a fantastic afternoon!!
Playing Snakes and Ladders encouraged everyone to practice counting and understand directions. The train tracks, repurposed as car tracks, fascinated many of the boys as they created stunt roads. A paddle pop stick fence was carefully constructed, and a piece of paper was creatively transformed into a pencil case fit for a queen.
Miss G proudly shared her achievements with her mom when she arrived to pick her up. She recounted her journey from saying, “Miss Turner, I am afraid of heights,” to exclaiming, “The view from up here is pretty amazing,” and finally declaring, “I’m going to give it a go!” With newfound courage, she turned around, faced her fears, and went down the ladder, repeating it another four times. Each time, it became easier, and she was so very proud of herself!
23/05/2024
This afternoon began with a hearty afternoon tea of ham and cheese croissants accompanied by a bowl of fresh fruit.
Following afternoon tea, a group of boys headed outside, for what has become a daily game of soccer. Such a popular afternoon activity for so many!
Inside, Miss Turner once again became a hairdresser as she tried to recreate looks that she had only heard about and not actually viewed. After seeing the photos of the hairstyles it was declared that Miss Turner had indeed done a great job (the pressure was real)!
Whilst hairdressing appealed to a few, paper planes, snakes and ladders, piano playing and drawing appealed to others.
Trains were brought out and stunts were performed.
What a terrific Thursday!!
22/05/2024
This morning, we kicked off our day with an invitation to play board games, and the children eagerly brought out various games to enjoy! We began with Snakes and Ladders, where the children learned to follow the spaces on the board, aiming to move upward rather than backward—except when sliding down a snake, of course. Counting was straightforward with just one die, though some children had to think a little more when they saw more than two dots on the die.
Miss Turner won the first round of Snakes and Ladders, prompting the children to switch to Monopoly. This game presented a greater challenge with two dice, requiring more thought to get the numbers right. With Amelia's guidance, some of the children began to count on from one die to the next.
The morning turned into a wonderful learning experience, with the children engaging in increased language use through verbal conversations about the game, reading the cards, taking turns, and discussing fairness. They solved mathematical equations, accepted advice from their peers, and learned about spatial awareness and respect. It was a delightful way to start the day and smoothly transition into school activities.
15/05/2024
What a wonderful afternoon! So often I have heard the comment that a picture tells a thousand words. When looking at the picture taken this afternoon from play, I see so many learning journeys, experiences, social interactions, problem solving, spontaneous play, imaginative play, success in play and so very much more. When you look at these pictures, what do you see?
24/04/2024
So very proud of our two oshc representatives for todays Hume Street Campus Anzac Day service. Both children walked the wreath to the alter with care and respect.
24/03/2024
Last week, the children were asked, "How would you like to be greeted?" as part of our exploration of emotions.
They brainstormed five greetings they'd like to experiment with during the afternoons. Four of these greetings involve light touch, while one doesn't involve any physical contact.
We discussed how their chosen greetings might vary at the end of the day compared to the beginning, reflecting on how their feelings might change. I'm incredibly impressed by the children's emotional awareness and intelligence. I cannot wait to move into these greetings with the children this week.
Thanks must go to Miss L for her assistance in choosing the pictures used for the greetings.,
06/03/2024
What a productive afternoon it was!
We enjoyed chicken-flavored 2-minute noodles, along with a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. After choosing their play areas, the children embarked on an afternoon filled with wonder and joy.
Indoors, Miss E tackled her homework for the week. Her focused engagement inspired some of the other children to join her at the table, where they crafted lovely pictures and stories. Meanwhile, Master M had a different idea; he enthusiastically crafted two Lego phones and presented them to Miss E for her involvement. Despite being occupied with her homework, Miss E took a moment to play with Master M, strengthening the bond between the children.
Outside, the children expanded on their hurdle games from the previous day, with more children and young people joining and the games becoming more involved. Our young Environmental Enthusiast headed straight for a pile of what some might consider dead leaves on the ground. However, Miss L saw the beauty in the leaves and skillfully arranged them into a delightful bunch, which she proudly displayed throughout the afternoon.
04/03/2024
On Monday afternoon, emotions surged as I posed the question, "What emotions have you felt?" The children eagerly responded with touching insights. Master A expressed feeling 'strange' around police, while Master M shared his 'disappointment' over his old dog's passing. Miss A admitted to feeling 'quiet' when uncertain or tired, while Master E and Miss G associated 'happiness' with fun activities and companionship.
As the children exchanged smiles, their faces lit up with joy, creating a heartwarming scene that lasted throughout the afternoon. Some children contributed their feelings to a shared book, while others, led by Master N and Master M, ventured outside to create an obstacle course. Starting with hurdles and evolving into a zigzag race and 'under chair' hurdle, the activity fostered teamwork and excitement. Master N likened it to army training, urging everyone to keep jumping.
Amidst the laughter, Miss L, one of our environmental enthusiasts, discovered a lizard which quickly became her companion. After a delightful afternoon, she released the lizard back to its natural habitat before heading home.