Ryka - Indigenous performer

We had our first incursion this week, Ryka is from Yidinji country and he shared some dress items, tools and instruments from his culture and taught us some new songs and dances. We also participated in a smoking ceremony and body painted symbols. The children were painted with ochre in the designs of ‘Javan’ freshwater eel and ‘Kabul’ salt water crocodile.

This week two of our teachers attended a conference for early childhood teachers about changes that have been made for the learning framework. I wanted to share a paragraph with you from the framework about the importance of play. At St Jude’s ELC we use a play based approach to learning and at times people don’t fully understand how crucial play is for developing brains. This paragraph explains it so well. 

Play-based learning capitalises on children’s natural inclination to be curious, explore and learn. Children actively construct their own understandings that contribute to their own learning. In play experiences children integrate their emotions, thinking and motivation that assists to strengthen brain functioning. They exercise their agency, intentionality, capacity to initiate and lead learning, and their right to participate in decisions that affect them, including about their learning.

Play-based learning:

• allows for the expression of personality and uniqueness

• offers opportunities for multimodal play

• enhances thinking skills and lifelong learning dispositions such as curiosity, persistence and creativity

• enables children to make connections between prior experiences and new learning and to transfer learning from one experience to another

• assists children to develop and build relationships and friendships

• develops knowledge acquisition and concepts in authentic contexts

• builds a sense of identity

• strengthens self-regulation, and physical and mental well-being.

Open Days and Tours

We had another successful Open morning on Tuesday and received very positive feedback from the families who visited.  Families are welcome to drop in for a tour on Tuesday 23 May between 9:30 and 11am.

2024 On-line Enrolments

On-line enrolments are now open for Catholic schools and ELCs via the relevant school websites. A reminder to all ELC families that you need to submit an enrolment form for Kindergarten in 2024. Please note, if you are considering a second year of preschool, please contact your class teacher as soon as possible.

Primary School Enrolment Zones

Enrolments are now open for our primary schools (St Jude’s and St John Vianney’s) for 2024.

* If your residential address is Stirling, Fisher, Waramanga, Chapman or Rivett you are zoned for St John Vianney’s for primary school.

* If your residential address is Holder or Duffy you are zoned for St Jude’s.

* Weston and Molonglo are shared zones and families can choose which school to apply for. Please note this does not guarantee you a place at that school. 

Enrolments are based on a priority system.