Newsletter - Hurlingham Preschool

1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Issue 1, February 2015
Newsletter
Inside this Issue
Presidents Update............................ Pg 2
3 Year Old Update............................ Pg 3,4
4 Year Old Update............................ Pg 5
News from the Committee................ Pg 6
Committee Contact List....................
Pg 7
QIP Update....................................... Pg 8
Policies Update................................. Pg 8
Food Allergy Reminder..................... Pg9
Healthy Eating Policy........................ Pg10
Working Bee Update......................... Pg11
Photos & T-Shirt Orders……………... Pg12
A warm welcome to all our new and returning
Open Day Details……………………... Pg13
families for 2015. We hope that your child has
Welcome Picnic Details………………. Pg14
enjoyed their first few weeks at Hurlingham Kinder
and that they have settled into their new groups.
Diary Dates
I am a parent of a child in the 4 year old Koala group.
This is my first year as Newsletter Editor, having
enjoyed being on the committee last year in another
Welcome Picnic
Sunday, 1st March
3-5pm
Kinder Open Day
Sunday, 22nd March
10am-12noon
End of Term 1
Photo Sessions
Family Photos
Next Working Bee
Friday, 27th March
Tuesday 21st April
Wednesday 22nd April
Tuesday 28th April
Wednesday 29th April
Sunday 3rd May
Sunday 3rd May
9-12pm
capacity. If you have any questions about the
newsletter or suggestions for future newsletters,
please do not hesitate to contact me. You will find
contact details of all committee members inside this
newsletter.
Looking forward to a fun-filled 2015.
Happy reading,
Fiona Katsieris
-1-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Presidents Update
by Victoria Brown
I have had three children go through Hurlingham Pre-school and it is with mixed emotions that
my family begins its last year here. It is a wonderful place for our children to begin their
education adventure and I hope you are all enjoying the experience whether you are a returning
family or if this is all new to you.
We pride ourselves in being welcoming and friendly, and the first social event for the whole
kinder is only a couple of weeks away. I hope you can all make the Welcome Picnic on the 1 st
March at Allnut Park, as it is a great way for families to meet.
The beginning of this term has seen all the staff and Committee of Management swing into
action as we have our compulsory DET (Department of Education & Training) assessment
coming up towards the end of February. This is where the kinder is assessed on seven Quality
Areas (Educational Program & Practice, Children’s Health & Safety, Physical Environment,
Staffing Arrangements, Relations with Children, Collaborative Partnerships with Families &
Community, and Leadership & Service Management). This assessment is extremely important
to the kinder as a whole, and we will keep you all updated.
Please be careful when dropping off on Palmer Avenue and obey the no standing area and no
parking areas. Also, please do not do 3-point turns over the footpath that leads up to the kinder.
This area can get very congested and can be dangerous with so many little ones around.
Please be aware that your child’s immunisation needs to be up to date especially if you don’t
want to miss out on the extra 5% weighting, for proof of 4 year old immunization, with the
council enrolments that open in May.
Over the year, a couple of times a term we will be practicing some procedures that are included
in our Emergency Management Plan. We will let you all know that a drill has taken place by a
note in the foyer and an email from your Class Reps.
I hope you all have a wonderful term one and I look forward to catching up with as many of you
as possible at our Welcome Picnic.
-2-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
3 Year Old Update
by Angela Seaton
Welcome to another year at Hurlingham.
Both Chris and I are very pleased with how the first sessions have begun. We feel like two
mother ducks with our brood of ducklings following close by, navigating the new surrounds
and needing a little TLC to get them going. We commenced the shorter intimate sessions with
indoor and outdoor play, stories and songs, and we met Ruby the Rabbit who is the newest
member to join the team at Hurlingham.
The program is designed initially with the intention of the children getting to know us, each
other, and our families. Routines are fostered during Term 1 for the children to develop a
sense of belonging and to feel safe, secure and supported in their learning. This will lead to
the Echidnas coming together as a group. Throughout the year there are many areas that will
change depending on the children’s interests, their developmental progression, and learning.
However there are many areas of the kinder that will appear in the program from week to
week where the children can follow their interests, explore freely, and learn to inquire using a
variety of materials and resources, both open ended and that have a specific goal. These
areas can be adapted as required to tap into the children’s interests, or used for intentional
(teacher-led) teaching. Typical indoor activities on offer include play dough, cutting station,
box construction, art, drawing and writing, block corner, home corner, imaginative play,
relaxation area, books, puzzles, board games and manipulative play. Typical outdoor activities
on offer include climbing frames, sand pit, large wooden blocks, bikes, swings, collage and
ball sports and playing in the nature garden.
This week saw the whole group come together for the first time. These shorter and smaller
group sessions have greatly assisted the children to settle to familiar activities without feeling
too overwhelmed. At this time of year, we experience a few tearful scenes but rest assured,
your children are okay, and do stop crying very soon after your departure. We know it can be
hard to pull away, so feel free to call us if you need. I am currently in the process of taking
family photographs to display in the foyer for parents and friends to get to know each other
(and for the educators too!!!) Children l0ve to see themselves in photos and will certainly love
looking at you too.
Continued......
-3-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
3 Year Old Update
by Angela Seaton
As we get to know each of the children in the next weeks, we will develop objectives for each
child individually, and as a group. Later in the term, I will offer Parent Teacher Interviews to
share my experiences with your child and to discover what you would like from the
Hurlingham educators.
Thank you to every family for making the time to meet at our Orientation sessions. It is a busy
time but is so important to making our kinder a great place to be – for the children, the
families, and the educators too. We appreciate your assistance in returning all enrolment
forms and data. If you have any outstanding information to provide, you will have received a
private email from me.
I’d also like to say thank you all for your patience at dismissal time. We encourage the
children to remain seated until we get to know who belongs to whom. Their safety is at the
forefront of our minds and this routine has proven most effective in years past. Your support
over the next weeks to assist us is greatly appreciated. Please understand that we are unable
to release your child into the care of a school aged sibling; we have to sight the parent/carer
nominated in the Sign In Book before your child’s name will be called (another reason I want
to take your photo!)
We are looking forward to another wonderful year with the Echidnas of 2015, and look forward
to your support and input along the way.
- 4-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
4 Year Old Update
by Deanne Millar
I have h…..
Welcome to all our families and thank you for being so warm and welcoming in my first few
weeks here at Hurlingham. We also welcome Carole Houlihan to our team as Additional
Assistant in the Koala Group. The children have quickly settled and are already comfortable
with new routines and are getting to know their friends both old and new. Ange and I have
introduced them to some of our friends; Humpty Dumpty and Ruby Rabbit and thank you to
those families who have sent along a little treat for Ruby – she is most appreciative –
carrots, of course, being her favourite. Remember to send in your family photos to add to
our Family Tree (a standard photos size is best) and just a reminder that hats and
sunscreen remain here at Kinder. Also, we ask you to be mindful of what goes in lunch
boxes – no egg based goods and no nuts – we are introducing a new arrival routine and
children are required to wash their hands on arrival, the duty parent as well. We are off to a
great start and please remember the door is always open.
-5-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
News from the Committee
by Victoria Brown
At the end of every kinder year, we have to assemble a new Committee of Management for the
following year. With 23 roles to fill, we are proud to say we have a large percentage of parents
representing all of the Hurlingham families: without the parent volunteers, the kinder would not
exist. The Committee has already met once this term as we begin to tackle the issues of 2015.
On the next page there is a contact list if you need to get hold of any of us or simply want to make
a suggestion, but please be mindful that we are all volunteer parents so if you cannot get us
straight away, we will get back to you as soon as possible! Your Class Reps are your first contact
for day-to-day questions, but the Educators and myself are also always available if you have any
queries. The chart below will help you understand who to contact regarding what situation.
Issue? Concern?- Who Do I Go To?
YOUR EDUCATOR/S
Dee/Angela/Chris/Pam
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Sam Jensen-Muir
ADMINISTRATOR
Elaine Moore
ENROLMENTS
Jodie Huitfeldt
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
0400 774 024
[email protected]
9553 8491
[email protected]
.au
0426 206 202
-Policies/ Procedures
-Child’s Development
-Educational Program
-Child’s Socialisation
-Absences
-Central Enrolment Process
-Regulations/ Compliance
-Fees
-Any Enrolment Enquiries
-National Quality Standards
-Payment Plans
-Moving Groups
-Complaints
-Change of Details
-Open Day
-General Enquiries
-Information Night
Serious issues will be referred to Formal Grievance Committee please email [email protected]
For issues/concerns that cannot be resolved by the above Hurlingham staff, call DET (Department of Education and
Training) Southern Regional Office- 8765 5600.
-6-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Committee of Management Contact List
POSITION
FIRST NAME
SURNAME
GROUP
TELEPHONE
EMAIL
President
Victoria
Brown
Koala
0414 312 313
[email protected]
Vice President
Catherine
Wensley
Koala
0423 954 451
[email protected]
Treasurer
Sam
Robinson
Koala
0414 851 232
[email protected]
Secretary
Jade
Ingleton
Echidna
0417595328
[email protected]
Enrolments Officer
Jodie
Echidna
0426 206 202
[email protected]
Social Coordinator
Andrea
Huitfeldt
(Holthouse)
Bourke
Koala
0417 062 986
[email protected]
Building & Maintenance Officer
Natalie
Bell
Echidna
Sustainability & Environment
Officer
QIP Coordinator
Jessica
Lamb
Koala
0413 807 466
[email protected]
Ali
Renn
Koala
0409 903 827
[email protected]
QIP Assistant (Parent Survey) &
Website Editor
Fiona
Katsieris
Koala
0413 055 210
[email protected]
Policy Officer
Jenny
Shakespeare
Echidna
0417 579 683
[email protected]
Newsletter
Fiona
Katsieris
Koala
0413 055 210
[email protected]
Supplementary Activities - DVD,
photo etc
Social Coordinator Assistant
Bronwyn
Keyte
Koala
0414 655 166
[email protected]
Frances
Hoy
Wombat
0415 246 821
[email protected]
Social Coordinator Assistant
Renae
McKinnon
Koala
0409 253 537
[email protected]
B&M Assistant
Mardi
Brennan
Wombat
0409 430 255
[email protected]
Enrolments Assistant
Sharon
Portelli
Echidna
Class representative (Echidna)
Sharon
Portelli
Echidna
0418 367 407
[email protected]
Class representative (Echidna)
Tanya
Treacy
Echidna
0422 939 838
[email protected]
Class representative (Wombat)
Felicia
Welstead
Wombat
0404146 621
tollfelicia@hotmailcom
Class representative (Wombat)
Sayaka
Thurlow
Wombat
0431 993 264
[email protected]
Class representative (Koala)
Aileen
Healy
Koala
0449817773
[email protected]
Class representative (Koala)
Penny
Featherstone
Koala
0411 080 505
[email protected]
Director and 4 Yr Old Teacher
Deanne
Miller
9553 8491
3 & 4 Yr Old Teacher
Angela
Seton
Wombat &
Koala
Wombat &
Echidna
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Administration & Accounts
Elaine
Moore
Operations Manager
Sam
Jensen-Muir
[email protected]
0418 367 407
9553 8491
9553 8491
0406714490
0400774025
-7-
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) Update
by Ali Rehn
The Hurlingham Educators and Committee of Management are always looking at ways that
we can improve kinder and all aspects of the service, and this is documented in our QIP. It
contains several areas in which we highlight both the kinder's strengths and the areas
identified as needing some improvement.
As you will be aware, Hurlingham Preschool is being audited by the Government in a few
weeks time and as part of the Audit we are required to submit our QIP. A copy of the latest
version of our QIP which was submitted last week as part of our audit can be found on the
website and a hard copy is also located in the foyer. If you have any comments or
suggestions, would like to raise an area in which we could do with some improvement, please
contact Victoria Brown (President) or myself.
Policies Update
by Jenny Shakespeare
The kindergarten policies currently being reviewed and that are scheduled for ratification at
the next committee meeting are:
1. Administration of medication
2. Anaphylaxis
3. Dealing with infectious diseases
4. Sun protection policy
5. Determining Responsible person
All kinder policies can be accessed in the kinder foyer. If you have any feedback regarding
the current policies under review please feel free to contact me.
-8-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Food Allergy Reminder
A child who is enrolled in our kindergarten has sever Anaphylaxis to all fish and shellfish.
Allergens include all tinned fish, fish patties and seafood found in sushi (tuna, salmon, crab
meat etc…)
To support this child in kindergarten, any food containing fish must not be sent to kinder in
your child’s bag for the entire 2015 year. This applies to all kinder families across the
Echidna, Koala and Wombat groups. It is vital for this child’s wellbeing.
The decision to exclude all fish from the kindergarten snack and lunch containers has been
made after discussions between the Committee of Management, educators and the family
involved, and in accordance with our Anaphylaxis Policy.
To prevent contamination of surfaces, we will be vigilant in cleaning and had washing
procedures, and ask you to do the same prior to entering our kinder.
We appreciate your support and understanding in this matter.
-9-
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Healthy Eating Policy
In keeping with Hurlingham Preschool’s policy on healthy eating, we require our families to
promote the following ideas when packing your children’ s food for snack time;

A minimum of one item in your child’s snack box is a fruit or vegetable

Minimise pre-packaged foods where possible

Bring a full water bottle to Kinder

Unacceptable food list items brought to kinder, will be left in the snack box to be
consumed out of kinder hours.
Why are healthy lunches/snacks
promoted at kinder?
There’s nothing wrong with an occasional
treat but when you multiply it by up to 25 kids
in a group, it becomes difficult to explain to
the children that these treats are only
‘sometimes’ foods when they are seeing them everyday. This is why we ask all our families to
embrace the healthy food only policy when you are packing the kids lunches or snacks.
Just as we do with physical education, water and road safety, caring for the environment,
promoting kindness and respect, we are always educating the kids about best practice.
Healthy eating is best practice. As the national framework (EYLF) states:
“Good nutrition is essential to healthy living and enables children to be active participants in
play. Early childhood settings provide many opportunities for children to experience a range of
healthy foods and to learn about food choices from educators and other children.”
The framework demands in many of the Quality areas and in the Outcomes that are being
assessed, that the Educators embed healthy food and nutrition in the program. We welcome
your support and understanding in promoting healthy food only coming to kinder except of
course, for birthday cupcakes etc as birthdays are definitely treat occasions!
- 10 -
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Working Bee Update
by Nat Bell
A massive THANK YOU to the huge effort by 36 families attending our WORKING BEE.
WOW. Tasks such as window cleaning, mulching, planting, weeding, general gardening,
handy jobs, clean outs and throw outs all happened on a hot Sunday morning.
Many thanks to all who attended, many hands did make light work.
If you did attend, and forgot to sign yourself onto the sheet, please tell Elaine in the office and
she will make sure that your time counts toward refunding your working bee levy.
Again, without all of your enthusiasm, jobs like this are impossible to get done.
Special thanks to Mardi for picking up food and general help organising. Felicia for popping
out and picking up supplies. Ange Seaton for the lend of the trailer and Nick for the trip to the
tip. An extra special mention to Ali who has gone out and selected plants, purchased them
and taken and planted at kinder. As well as starting at 7.30 am today…
Thanks to:
Madeleine Nation
Naomi Walters- Patel
Ali Rehn
Karen Meaghan
Sazal Khadka
Jodie Huitfeldt
Michael and Lyla Hennig
Michael and Belinda Maeder
Frances Hoy
Mardi Brennan
Victoria Brown
Luke Fishley
Kon Kubiena
Emma Nisbet
Aileen Healy and family
Marcus Kinna
Sarah Cavalier
Mark Nebrada
Jenny Zhang
Renae McKinnon
Sharon Portelli
Glen Vassilett
Robin Rehn
Dale Hyland
Doug Cameron
Anna and Brad Green
Marianne Trovato
Michaela Holman
Greg Hill
Abigail Christie
Tanya and Shane Treacy
Brendan and Bronnie Keyte
Nat Bell
Penny Featherstone
Matt Faiman
Kon Katsieris
If anyone has any comments etc, please let me know on 0401717845 .
- 11 -
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Photo Sessions
by Bronnie Keyte
Kinder photos for all groups have been booked for the beginning of Term 2. The
photographer will come to each group over two consecutive weeks. This way each child
should be captured regardless of holidays or illness. Dates the photographer will be
attending sessions are:

Tuesday, 21st April

Wednesday, 22nd April

Tuesday, 28th April

Wednesday, 29th April
There will also be the opportunity for family shots on Sunday May 3rd for anyone who is
interested. Details to follow closer to the time.
T-Shirt & Polar Fleece Top Orders
by Bronnie Keyte
Orders for T-shirts and Polar Fleece Tops are being collected now. There was an order form
included the Information Packs. There are also extra order forms left in the foyer for anyone
who missed the original order form.
There are samples of the Polar Fleeces and T-Shirts in the foyer. It is strongly
recommended you look carefully at the sizing of both, as the sizing for each product is quite
different. Last year this caused a few issues and many phone calls, so to avoid confusion it
is ideal if everyone can look/try the samples on prior to ordering. Thanks!
- 12 -
1 Palmer Avenue
East Brighton Vic 3187
Tel: 03 9553 8491
W: hurlinghampreschool.org.au
Incorporation No. A0021501L
Pre-School Open Day
Know parents who are applying for 3 or 4 year old kindergarten for 2016? Let them know
about our Open Day on Sunday 22nd March from 10am to 12 noon.
Its a great opportunity to experience the kindergarten facilities and talk to the educators
before the enrolment process begins.
Hurlingham Preschool participates in the Bayside Council central enrolment program.
Applications will be accepted from 1 May 2015 to 30 June 2015. Further information is
available at http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/community_services/children_kindergarten
- 13-
- 14 -