PR E PA R ATORY S C HO OL
New Playgroup proves popular
Playgroup has arrived at Guildford Grammar School. In a
collaboration between the School, OSHC and Playgroups WA, the new
initiative has now been launched. This is the first time that a group of
mums have been able to get together with their pre-school children
to enjoy a play environment, utilise the fantastic facilities and also
socialise within the School. The playgroup is based on a community/
family run model and is part of the Enhanced Transition to Schools
project. This aim is to provide a stepping stone between home and
Kindergarten in an environment in which children can become familiar
with the routine of school yet be supported by their parents.
These playgroup sessions run for 90 minutes and involve indoor and
outdoor play, arts and crafts, music and movement as well as story
time and songs. A snack break is incorporated, which provides an
ideal time for mums to chat and for children to get used to the social
experience of eating together.
On 20 October, 16 parents and children arrived to participate in the
first session. There was an air of excitement and the Centre was
filled with the noise of play and chatter. The session was attended
by a Playgroups WA officer and the OSHC Coordinator, who will
provide the link between the School and the group. The group will
meet weekly and will set up their own committee to provide ongoing
support and structure. Once these things are in place, the group can
get on with the business of having fun!
Current parents enjoying the playgroup.
This first meeting involved an art activity and lots of outdoor play
using the many resources the Centre is lucky to enjoy. After a
healthy fruit snack the children played some more and then carried
out a song and group activity involving a parachute. This initial
session was such a positive experience and attended by a healthy
number of parents and caregivers. If the group grows, another
session will be considered and offered.
Mrs Melanie Berrington
Out of School Care Coordinator
Out of School Care
It’s high-tech at Out of School Care!
Out Of School Care is catching up with the
times! This October vacation saw technology
coming to the forefront as the children now
have access to a bank of iPads! We have
also seen sustainability being embedded in
the program, through the ongoing planting
and harvesting of the vegetable gardens and
the children’s creativity in the kitchen being
captured, for example, on Masterchef day.
The framework for school age care
encompasses seven learning areas, and the
planning of the curriculum in the Centre
draws upon each area to ensure that children
have rich, varied and meaningful experiences.
By talking and listening to the children, the
educators in the Centre develop activity
plans that meet the needs of the children
as well as their interests. Relationships are
key in this process and the educators pride
themselves on knowing the children well, be
it in vacation care or term time.
The term time curriculum has changed in
format and is available to all parents in the
Centre. It guides the activities available
each day to the children and provides a
platform for learning about the world. It is
a misconception to think we are formally
teaching the children. We are basing
experiences and opportunities for children in
fun and engaging ways.
The focus for the October vacation revolved
around animals – a long time favourite with
the children. From Peel Zoo to Herdsman
Wildlife Park, the children were able to see a
variety of different creatures. In an effort to
capture this interest, the Centre has trialed
a number of different pets this semester.
The snail world was a little messy and
smelly. The ant farm looked to be a hubbub
of activity until the morning following its
creation, when it was found that the ants
had squeezed through the air holes and
disappeared over night. Our final attempt at
a low maintenance pet came in the form of
aqua dragons. I am pleased to report that
we hatched one and the Centre is now in
possession of a 2cm long Jurassic pet.
One of the best experiences in the vacation
program was Masterchef Day. The children
were grouped and given a “mystery bag” of
ingredients. From these they had to devise
and cook a dish. This was then tasted by
another group and rated. At the end of
the process all six groups had cooked and
rated another group’s food. The two highest
rated then became the semi-finalists who
entered the Great Bake-Off, which entailed
decorating two cakes. These were then
judged and a winner announced.
Some of the conversation from this day was
wonderful. From “ewwww, do we have to
eat this?” to “what came first, the chicken or
the egg?” The groups were mixed age and
there was some wonderful peer scaffolding
taking place as the older children helped the
younger ones as well as children appointing
themselves as health and safety officers and
‘taste testers’.
These project days are becoming more and
more a part of our service as we develop.
The children are being encouraged to learn
new skills, create new interests and make
memories. The long vacation looms and with
it will be new themes, new places to visit and
new experiences.
Mrs Melanie Berrington
Out of School Care Coordinator
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