Head of Preparatory School
Camp Week Update!
Survivor Edition
The weather couldn’t be better, and the children couldn’t be more excited and energised as Camp Week progresses. All three grades have had an incredible amount of fun on their camp days as well as the endless activities back at school.
Resilience, team building, courage, compassion, resourcefulness, and teamwork are key words that underpin everything that has been planned this week, and the students have certainly risen to the occasion by consistently demonstrating these characteristics in all the challenges and learning experiences.
This week we have had the opportunity to reflect upon the importance of outside play and adventure for our youngest learners. As I have walked around to see what everyone is doing, I have witnessed friends solving problems together, helping each other out, showing kindness and friendship to one another and most of all, the level of laughter and conversation has been thrilling.
Being courageous has been a reoccurring theme each day as problems are faced or tasks have children thinking outside of their comfort zone. It has been interesting to watch how friends have approached these tasks together, made mistakes, tried again, and have either enjoyed success or have had to go back to the drawing board!
Sometimes as adults we want to step in and rescue the child from failure to avoid them feeling disappointment or sad, this week has been a wonderful example of how our children learn so much from something going wrong and believing in themselves to carry on. A sense of achievement on the face of a young learner is priceless and realising the world will not come to an end if something doesn’t work out is even better.
Our Prep Reception board is starting to fill up with pictures from the week, I encourage you to stop by and have a look at all the activities from this week, see if you can spot your child doing something you never thought they could!
Here are a few reflections from the grades so far this week:
Year 2
Fire fighters, Police, Survivor Challenges, and Year 2’s Got Talent! Year 2 has done it all this week. We have loved working together to problem solve and being outside in the sunshine. Can we have Camp Week every week?!
Year 1
We loved tug -o-wars and the games on Monday, we get to wear our coloured bandanas and cheer for our friends. We then enjoyed the firemen and police visiting us, we even got to get on the ground and tap the fire fighters on the shoulder! The police showed us all the things they wear and talked about how to be safe when we are on the computer. Primrose Park was so fun, we loved building huts and going on a bushwalk. The favourite thing we did yesterday was making pavlovas; Mr Stubbs’ arm was sore from whipping the cream. I can’t wait for tent building tomorrow.
Kindergarten
Kindy had a busy start to the week with our ‘survivor’ games commencing on Monday morning. Tuesday saw us visiting Clifton Gardens, where we went on a beach scavenger hunt, built sandcastles, played team building games and went on a bush walk, searching for animal habitats. On Wednesday, Kindergarten was thrilled to hear the sirens of the fire brigade and enjoyed learning about how the police and fire brigade keep us safe. We are looking forward to concluding the week with a collaborative art opportunity.
Term 4 Wellbeing Lunchtime Clubs Volunteers
Another term of Wellbeing lunchtime activities draws to a close and we again thank the parents and friends who have volunteered their time to come and share their expertise with our Prep students. Ms Fiebiger has started to put our Term 4 schedule together this week so we are putting the call out to any parent or friend who would like to come for one or more lunchtime to run a wellbeing club. It can be something as simple as dancing to some music, playing some games or even reading a book to our children, it is a lovely way to connect and share.
Warm Weather Reminders
As the weather is warming up, can I please remind everyone to check that your child has their bucket hat named and in bags each day please. We do have a ‘no hat no play’ policy at school. It is heartbreaking to have to ask our students to sit out of play time if they forget their hats. If hats get lost or misplaced, they will, in most cases, find their way back to their owner if there is a name. Thank you for helping us keep our children safe in the sun.
Goodbye and Thank You Mrs Stokes
Next Thursday will be Mrs Stokes’ last day in the Lucy Hill Library. We have truly enjoyed the time Mrs Stokes has been with us, and I know you will join me in saying farewell and thank you. Sharron will be heading back into retirement and will enjoy walking her dogs on the beach!
We welcome back Mrs Roberts next term, we look forward to hearing all about her travels and experiences while she has been away.
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848