2023 Newsletter Term 04 | Issue 02

The Elouera children have been very busy taking care of their environment, cooking with the water beads and using the tools.

The children are great at taking responsibility and remembering to check the plants each day to see if they need to be watered. All the children are very excited to volunteer themselves to water the plants. They are a helpful group of children. Gardening helps children understand cause and effect, build self confidence and develop a love of nature. It also supports the children in developing cooperative relationships and learning about nutrition.

The children loved cooking with the water beads and practicing using the different tools such as screwdrivers, wrench’s, Allen keys, hammers and sandpaper. They are very proud of themselves when they know which tool they need to use for which nail/ screw.

— Nina, Rachel, Sarah and Yuko.

Last week in the Burbangana classroom, the children had the opportunity to share their self portraits with their community. Each child was encouraged and supported to draw a picture of their face. They worked individually and used a mirror to look at themselves and identify their facial features. Exploring individual identity can support the development of a positive attitude towards diversity and difference and help children to develop a sense of belonging in their community.

— Helen, Teresa & Claire

What a bumper crop!  Children were so proud to show off their amazing vegetable gardens to their beautiful grandparents when they visited recently.  Afterwards we decided to do some harvesting.  We had a delicious snack of roasted beetroots and potatoes and who doesn’t love cauliflower cheese.

Growing vegetables with children helps them begin to understand cause and effect eg our vegetables need water and sunshine or they won’t grow.  It also develops self confidence as they get to achieve a goal, learn to be patient and finally get to enjoy delicious food they know is good for their body.

– Dawn

We had a wonderful time celebrating Grandparents Day last week. It was a heartwarming day filled with love and laughter. The kindergarten children had the chance to introduce their grandparents to our Montessori environment and showcase what they have been learning and creating. It was a special day that emphasised the importance of family and community, a core aspect of our Montessori philosophy.

Last Wednesday, the Kindergarten children had an excursion to the Kimbriki recycling facility. The kindergarten children were led on a fantastic tour through various recycling zones and learned about the recycling process. They discovered how different materials were sorted and recycled, from the shiny metal zone to the area where trees and branches transformed into nutrient-rich soil. They also learned that the landfill was currently 80% full, emphasising the importance of reducing waste and recycling.

The adventure continued with interactive workshops such as composting and worm care. They learned the art of composting and even made friends with some slimy creatures: the compost worms! Some children were very brave and held the worms in their hands. Overall, the children had a fantastic time at Kimbriki. The outing allowed them to discover the importance of recycling and caring for the environment. Their inquisitive minds were filled with knowledge about what’s recyclable and what’s not.

Recently, the kindergarten children had a lesson on how to use a story map. A story map helps them understand and remember the elements of a story or narrative, enhancing their comprehension and cognitive development. Learning to create and use story maps is a valuable skill for kindergarten children, as it enhances their comprehension, sequencing, understanding of main ideas, character development, setting awareness, problem-solving abilities, vocabulary expansion, critical thinking, creative expression, and supports independent reading.

In addition to learning about story maps, the kindergarten children are learning about prepositions, words like ‘in,’ ‘on,’ ‘between’, ‘above’, ‘beside,’ and ‘under.’ These words help make their writing more exciting. Using prepositions, they can describe things better, making their stories more interesting. It’s like adding colour to their words! We also play fun games to help them understand and use prepositions effectively.

— Samantha.

Welcome back to another edition of the Aikya Classroom Newsletter! We are excited to share the latest happenings in our beautiful Montessori classroom over the past two weeks. It has been a period filled with growth, exploration, and connections.

Transitions: Building Bridges of Friendship

The transitions in our classroom have been progressing exceptionally well. We’ve seen the new children slowly building meaningful relationships with our seasoned Aikya students. It’s heartwarming to observe the bonds of friendship blossoming as the children share their knowledge, experiences, and interests with one another.

Additionally, our third-year Aikya children are transitioning seamlessly into Cycle 3, led by our wonderful Yani. The grace they embrace the challenges and opportunities of this next stage of their Montessori journey is truly inspiring. We are excited to watch them continue to flourish.

Exploring Nature with North Head Sanctuary Volunteers

Last week, we had the privilege of embarking on our last guided bush walk of the year with our friends from the North Head Sanctuary Volunteers. The children delved into the intricacies of nature, exploring the shapes of leaves and learning about the unique adaptations of plants to their native environments. It was an enlightening experience that deepened their appreciation for the natural world.

Excursion to the Kimrbiki Tip: Lessons on Sustainability

Our recent excursion to the Kimrbiki Tip was an eye-opening adventure for our students. They gained valuable insights into waste management, composting, and the profound impacts of our waste on the environment. The children now have a greater understanding of their role in preserving our planet and are eager to implement positive changes in their daily lives.

Grandparents Day: A Celebration of Generations

We had a wonderful time celebrating Grandparents Day with our morning tea event. It’s a special occasion for the Aikya children to share their Montessori experience with their grandparents. This day not only reinforces the importance of family and community but also celebrates the wisdom, stories, and love that grandparents bring into our lives.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the grandparents who continue to support our Aikya community.

Montessori education continues to empower our children to be independent thinkers and lifelong learners. It’s a privilege to witness their growth, curiosity, and enthusiasm every day.

With warm regards,

—Toby, Amy and the Aikya Children.

Our recent whole school excursion to Kimbriki was an eye-opening journey for our students. They delved into the world of waste and recycling, witnessing firsthand the operations of the facility, surrounded by immense volumes of waste, recyclables, and recycled materials. At the Ecohouse, they learned about the essential 4 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink), delved into composting, and discovered the crucial role of worm farms in sustainability. This experience emphasized the significance of recycling food waste and sorting it at the source. After the excursion, the children took the initiative to implement a more detailed recycling system within the classroom, ensuring a hands-on application of their newfound knowledge. Byron and Oliver made certain that our worm farm residents were content and well-cared for, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

Under the guidance of Ella, students have been immersed in exploring different art concepts like form and the vanishing point, leading to the creation of beautiful drawings. Their enthusiasm is palpable as they eagerly anticipate assembling an art portfolio to share their achievements at the end of the academic year. Concurrently, in language studies, the children have been diving into the intricacies of pronouns and prepositions, developing a keen eye for identifying these fundamental parts of speech within sentences.

Last week, we welcomed grandparents and special friends into the Yani classroom. It was a heartwarming occasion filled with joy. The air buzzed with excitement as generations merged, and our young students eagerly showcased their work to their guests. It was a beautiful testament to the importance of family and community in a child’s education, leaving lasting memories and smiles on every face.

—Laura & the Yani Team.