The Prep/One children have had a very busy start to their new school year. We have been learning all about school routines and settling into ‘big school’.

We have begun setting up a garden outside our classroom. Currently we have lots of pots of succulents donated by wonderful parents and our very own Emma. We are going to make a start on planting some vegetable seeds this week.  Early in March we will start planting some bulbs that have been donated by some very kind families. A huge thank you to everyone who has kindly donated containers, plants, seeds and bulbs – we are very grateful! Gardening is such a great way to learn about the rhythms of the seasons as well as caring for living things. There are quite a few keen gardeners in this group, which is great. I think I am going to learn a lot!

We have a heavy focus on Oral Language in Prep and Grade one, particularly in first term. Children are encouraged to share their observations, wonders and ideas every day. We are often delighted by some of the things that they say as they begin to feel more confident.  We were recently dancing together as a brain break. At the end I said ‘Wow, my heart is beating fast!’. Matai’s immediate and delightful response was ‘My heart is still dancing!’.

Please enjoy some photographs of our first couple of weeks.

Tania Steenholdt