Welcome back to another term. I hope that everyone enjoyed the chance to refresh and reset over the break. Our ELCs are freshly set up and ready to go with some beautiful learning environments and materials to extend and stimulate the children's curiosity.

FAMILY COMMUNICATION
As we move into the second half of the year, we begin to focus on extending each child's learning by introducing new activities and concepts. An important part of this process is creating opportunities for families and teachers to discuss each child's progress and set goals. Please remember that you are always welcome to make time to meet with your child's teacher. As the beginning and end of the day can be quite busy, and the staff members need to be focussed on supervision, an email during working hours is the best way to set up a mutually-convenient meeting.

All Reception groups will have a formal parent/teacher interview this term. Please see the dates below and let your teacher know if you need another time slot. I would also continue to urge families to engage with VOS on at least a weekly basis. Our teachers spend a lot of time doing their weekly or fortnightly reflections on learning, and they are the best way to find out about the class learning activities and goals. If your child is moving on to the junior campuses in 2024, you will find that nearly all school communications are on VOS, so it is probably best that you get used to using it now. If you are having any technical problems, please get in touch with itservices@gippslandgs.vic.edu.au

NEED TO READ
We will begin our ELC' Need to Read' program with the Reception and Transition groups this term. Our three-year-olds will bring home their iconic school green reading bags and have agency over choosing a take-home library book. These books will contain information for families to help enhance the experience through specific literacy and language concepts. Gippsland Grammar’s speech pathologist Michelle Sands gives you an excellent presentation about these on your VOS page. This will help you fully understand the development of literacy concepts in young children and how you can support this at home. In Reception class, we focus on making home reading a shared and enjoyable experience with a focus on speaking and listening.

Our Transition classes have begun four weeks of a phonological awareness literacy boost. I am sure they have come home to share many of the letters, sounds and words they have been exposed to. School Readiness Funding has supported this program, and it is an essential part of our transition to school program at both campuses. I know that many rich discussions have been happening between the Transition and Foundation teachers as we explore ways to ensure that the children are well-prepared and comfortable about this important next step in their education.

ELC DATES
Mon Aug 7-Wed Aug 9: St Anne's Reception parent-teacher interviews
Mon Aug 7-Tue Aug 8: Bairnsdale Reception parent-teacher interviews
Tue Aug 8-Thu Aug 10: St Anne's Reception parent-teacher interviews
Friday Aug 18: ELC closed (student-free day)
Aug 21-22: Bairnsdale Reception library exchange
Fri Aug 25: Bairnsdale Transition Book Week Parade
Fri Sep 1: St Anne’s Transition Flying Bookworms Theatre Group
Tue Sep 5: Bairnsdale Transition fire brigade visit
Wed Sep 6: National Early Childhood Educators Day
Thu Sep 7: Bairnsdale Transition sushi-making day
Thu Sep 14: Bairnsdale Transition footy day
Fri Sep 15: Bairnsdale Transition Grandparents’ Day

School Photos
Tue Aug 15: Bairnsdale Reception (Foons Photographic)
Wed Aug 16: Bairnsdale Transition (Foons Photographic)
Wed Sep 6: St Anne’s Reception and Transition (Foons Photographic)
Thu Sep 7: St Anne’s Reception and Transition (Foons Photographic)

Fathers and Special Friends Day
Tue Aug 29: Bairnsdale Reception Father’s Day afternoon stay and play
Wed Aug 30: St Anne’s Reception ‘special evening’, 5-6pm
Fri Sep 1: St Anne’s Transition breakfast, 8am
Fri Sep 1: Bairnsdale Transition Fathers Day breakfast and Fellowship
* Bairnsdale ELC Father’s Day events will be confirmed directly with families