News from the Blue Gum Room

Over the past weeks, an interest in all things creepy crawly has emerged in the Blue Gum Room as the children have begun to investigate mini-beasts. From the children’s discoveries at home, to our observations of bugs and insects as we walk around the gardens within the School, the children are captivated by the many exciting discoveries they have made. This has led to discussion and research in books, and on the iPad, as the children learn about the body parts, movements, feeding habits and habitats of a variety of mini-beasts.

The children were particularly intrigued when Harry shared that “grasshoppers can make music.” When the children asked how this happens Harry informed them that “they rub their wings together and that’s how they make music.” This interest has also inspired the children’s work within the classroom as they have engaged in observational drawings of mini-beasts and used recycled materials and modelling clay to create their own models. They have also examined some preserved insect specimens on the light table.

It is wonderful to observe the children’s joy for learning as they engage in this investigation.

Ms Sarah Bethune
Blue Gum Room Teacher and ELC Coordinator

Engaged and Learning in Campbell House

Young learners, always noted as highly capable and competent, confidently drive a large portion of the learning in Campbell House. Rinaldi (2006), in reference to children’s individual construction of knowledge, says much about the role of educators as ‘co-creators’ of knowledge and certainly not just transmitters of knowledge or information.

Our staff acknowledge emphatically, that doubts, mistakes, surprise and curiosity are all facets through which real knowledge can be established. Young learners lead us with their insatiable appetites for constantly wanting to know how, when, why and where.

The joy of finding out, and the wonder of doing so, can never be underestimated. When natural curiosity is satisfied by discovery, revelation or experience, learning is much more likely to be remembered with further, more advanced links of information often being sought.

Giving children “time” to explore and engage with other learners in their pursuits, allowing them to make “mistakes” and undertake trial and error, young learners are rewarded for their energy and thirst for discovery.

The power of this is not to be underestimated. The learning environment, and the recognition of children’s capabilities, opens future and further appetites for learning.

Viewing young leaders as being capable and competent, and as having an insatiable appetite for learning more information, must always be foremost in the minds of those adults around them!

Preparing for 2017!

Throughout Terms 3 and 4 we have observed our learners in the 4YO ELC programs experience a sample of what it will be like to be in Prep. This is an exciting time for children who are moving into Barbeck in 2017, and a proud moment of anticipation and often mixed feelings for parents.

The girls who will be members of the Prep class at St Catherine’s School in 2017 have had several excellent opportunities to spend time in Barbreck, and they have loved it!

Now that we are in Term 4, the girls have now met the new girls entering St Catherine’s in Prep.

Under the excellent guidance of Mrs Jessica Easton, assisted by Mrs Kate Bourke, the girls thoroughly enjoyed their task of being a Prep student. Each girl appeared more confident and more comfortable after each of the interesting sessions with, “I want to be at School now,” and, “at School, I am going to learn lots about everything” familiar statements after each visit.

Preparation for the transition as always, was attended to with professional rigour, care and full appreciation of the critical importance of familiarity and comfort.