We have enjoyed a wonderful start to Term 4. The first few weeks have been filled with joyful play, reconnection, and the gentle rhythm of ELC life after the holidays. This time acts as a calm pause before the exciting weeks ahead, including transition visits and our much-anticipated ELC Christmas Concert and Graduation.
This term, we were delighted to welcome two new friends into our ELC community. Both girls have settled in beautifully, and it has been heart-warming to see how naturally the children have embraced and included them in their play.
A recent highlight has been the girls’ involvement in creating colourful pasta necklaces for our Year 12 students as they begin their final journey through Wilderness at the Walk of Honour. It is always a deeply moving morning, and a moment that reminds us that, although some days may feel long and the little bumps along the way can seem big, the years truly pass in the blink of an eye.
Our much-loved family cooking experiences have continued this term. Last term, Natasha and her mum Kristy delighted us with delicious Bánh Mì, and this term Ava and her mum Vanessa introduced the girls to Traditional Chinese Rice Balls. These shared cooking sessions provide rich, authentic learning experiences, deepening the girls’ cultural understanding, language development, and sense of belonging. We are sincerely grateful to every parent and grandparent who contributes their time, ingredients, and enthusiasm. The teachers, too, have very much enjoyed sampling the delicious creations!
Preparations for the ELC Christmas Concert are well underway, with Miss Ruth visiting more often than usual to rehearse with the girls. There is a wonderful buzz in the air as they sing, dance, and practise for this special celebration of the year that has been.
Our focus has also turned to supporting the girls through their upcoming transitions. For our Mamie girls, the move into the Annie House is a small and exciting step; for our Annie girls, the transition to Reception is a bigger leap. To make these changes feel familiar and positive, the girls have been enjoying visits to the “big girls’ playground” and spending short sessions in the Coach House, where they have loved sitting at desks and engaging in little “Reception-style” lessons. Each of these experiences helps build their confidence and sense of readiness for what lies ahead.
It is a pleasure to see every girl thriving, growing, and embracing this final term with such enthusiasm and delight. We look forward to celebrating all they have achieved as the year draws to a close.
Rebecca Williamson
Director of Early Years
