Rainbow Dragons News

This week preschool has been experimenting with watercolours. We have created some amazing paintings. These are displayed on the wall in the art centre, alongside the stories that the children told about their work.
We have also enjoyed the reading of The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. We have taken down the old “Dinosaur World” and replaced it with “Gruffalo World”. This is above the writing centre.
We have provided the children with photos of buildings around the world as stimulus in block corner, which have been successful.
Please, if you have anything at home to share related to watercolours, books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler or photos of great buildings, we would love to borrow them.
Don’t forget the News Books, we need them back as other children would like a turn….
Lastly, the All About Me forms, we hope to use this information for future planning ….

The Preschool Team

This term we have been talking about friends. We have been practising being inclusive in our friendships and responding positively to others. We have been making observations of the children practising this important life skill. There is a display in home corner of these observations which we will continue to add to over the following weeks. It has been joyous to be observe the children being so kind and generous.
There is one news book here ready for the next inspired family. The children have really enjoyed sharing their news. It can be as simple or elaborate as your creativity and time allows.
As I am sure you all know by now. Kylie Webber will be acting Principal for Term 2. Sarah Craig will be our preschool teacher on a Monday, Tuesday and Colleen Taylor on a Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Vikki Butler will continue Monday-Friday.
ThePreschool Team

hi all
what an amazing performance we had today. Happy as Larry was fantastic! Thank you to all those Grandfriends who came down for a play despite the heavens opening at the end of the performance. At the moment the Vet is still going strong. So if you find a pet at home in need of some medical attention please feel free to bring it into the Rainbow Pet clinic at 229 Australia Street , Newtown . The scratching seems to have abated somewhat at the moment so lets continue our NIT vigilence and keep the creepy crawlies at bay!! A quick reminder that Pre-school closes next Thursday at 12 noon to facilitate an end of term disinfect/clean up before vacation care invades ( I mean that in the nicest possible way!) us for the holiday. Vasant will offer care from Noon for those families requiring it so please let him know asap if you wish to make a booking. On a personal front my dad has taken quite ill and I’ve spent a few days at Dubbo whilst he recouperates from a large and sudden operation… and I’m come home to a sick child so Ms Colleen and Vikki will steer the ship tomorrow.
Cheers Kylie

hi all
hope you’ve all noticed our amazing Dragon Boat! The decision on what to make out of the large box was a very democratic process – we voted and the most popular suggestion was a boat. Google then assisted us in our decision making process as the Dragon Boat races evoked the most exciting response. So the planning began, drawings and lists were made ,construction materials were collected and the design and making began! After the recent flooding in the playground Charlie suggested we see if it floats, so we wait until the next big downpour to test the hypothesis! The decoration was also a collaborative process with Henry suggesting the ’scales need to be in a pattern two rows of each colour’.The results are amazing. Look out for it next week in the sandpit.
Have a great weekend.
Kylie and Vikki

Wow, what a great re-entry to the school year I’ve had! Your children are a joy. This week we’ve explored ‘big books’ or “huge books” as Ben refers to them, we’ve been on a bear hunt, we’ve cooked in the sandpit, we’ve made a collaborative book on the Activboard (this is available for your viewing pleasure on the school website by clicking on the link below) and we’ve learnt the silly version of Open Shut Them!
http://australiastreetschool.com/downloads/uploads/The%20Spider.swf
In the dining room we have a display of baby photo’s (still a few missing!!) and we play “Guess Who” at mealtimes. In the entry way we have photos of everybody’s families as we look at the notion that belonging, being and becoming are integral parts of identity. Please keep those family and baby photos coming!
The news books are underway with Henry’s and Charlie’s families requesting them this weekend. Please see me when you would like a turn. These books form a large part of our talking and listening program as your child has a turn to present his/her exciting ‘news ‘to the rest of the class.
Just a reminder that the playground equipment is ‘closed’ both before and after school and we would ask that you encourage your child to adhere to this ‘big school’ rule.
Cheers
Kylie and Vikki

This week we have been talking about families and friends. Who is in our family; Who lives at our house; What pets we have and where we live. We have been practising being inclusive in our friendships and responding positively to others.
Belonging
“Experiencing belonging – knowing where and with whom you belong – is integral to human existence. Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighbourhood and a wider community. Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships in defining identities. In early childhood and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging. Belonging is central to being and becoming in it shapes who children are and who they can become.”
The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia 2009
Kylie Webber will be back from leave on Thursday the 1st March and will be the full time teacher in the preschool and the Assistant Principal for the school. I have really enjoyed getting to know you all this month and will be sure to say hello over the fence from Lennox House.
Colleen Taylor

Today we had some great discussion and play surrounding the large puddle that forms outside our door. We added boats and talked about floating and sinking. It was interesting when the water became too shallow and the boats ran aground. We also noticed if the boats filled up with water they sank. We will be following up this activity with floating and sinking activities in our water trough this week. As the day warmed up the puddle slowly evaporated and we added trucks and diggers for some messy play in the mud!
It is not too late to bring in or email your family photo (colleen.new@det.nsw.edu.au). Children love to talk about their families and find it comforting to have them represented in our display.
Please ensure you sign in and out every day.
Colleen Taylor

I must congratulate our preschool families on having such happy, well adjusted children. We have had a great start to the year!
This week the children have been running with a pirate theme. We have been making treasure maps, pirate hats, reading pirate stories and playing with our dramatic play ships and treasure chest. If you have any pirate stories to share from home they will be welcome.
Thank you to those families who have provided us with a family photo. If it easier you can email these to me and I will print them. colleen.new@det.nsw.edu.au
We have had several requests for box construction in our art centre. If you could divert any recyclables from your recycling bin they would be greatly appreciated.
Library bags and books have gone home today. Please return by next Wednesday.
Preschool are not involved in the information evening scheduled for the school next week. Please feel free to talk to preschool staff any morning or afternoon or email me any time.
Colleen Taylor

A warm welcome to our Preschool families for 2012.
For the next four weeks Kylie Webber will be on long service leave. Sarah Craig will be the teacher on a Monday and Tuesday. Colleen Taylor will be the teacher on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Vikki Butler is Teacher’s Aide Monday to Friday. Fay is in the kitchen Monday to Wednesday and Vasant is in the kitchen on Thursday and Friday.
To help children move toward independence please encourage your child to:-
• Place their fruit in the bowl,
• Water bottle on the table,
• Bag in their locker ,
• Hat on their hook.
For the beginning of term we will be discussing families. Please provide a family photo for your child to display in Preschool. This may be immediate family or include extended family.
On Monday’s we will be participating in the kickstart sport’s program. A coach will come and introduce a variety of different sports. Please wear appropriate footwear on this day. Kickstart will continue for Term 1.
Our library day will be Wednesday. Please bring your red library bag on a Wednesday.
Please bring a water bottle and piece of fruit every day.
If you have any questions, queries or concerns please talk to us any morning or afternoon.
We are looking forward to a fun and action packed year.
Colleen Taylor