Life at Saints.

At St Peter’s College every boy is

celebrated and honoured for his

uniqueness. To achieve this, we believe

in an holistic approach to education:

we are educating minds, building

healthy bodies and nourishing spirits.

St Peter’s College Information Booklet for the Early Learning Centre.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

A message from the Headmaster. 01

A message from the Head of Junior School 02

and the Assistant Head of Junior School -

Early Years.

Introduction. 03

School and Early Learning Centre Aims. 04

Wellbeing and Positive Education. 05

Early Learning Centre Procedures. 06

School Procedures. 09

Curriculum. 11

Daily Routines and Transition to School. 13

ELC Uniform. 15

School Fees. 17

Who to see about what 18

in the Early Learning Centre.

Map. 19

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

Contents.

A message from the Headmaster.

The staff, students and I look forward to welcoming

you and your family into the School in 2014.

At St Peter’s College we believe in an holistic

approach to education. We are educating minds,

building healthy bodies and nourishing spirits.

None of these things can happen in isolation.

Boys who are supported in this way grow to

become great men because we are leading them

on a path to developing true strength of character.

The cornerstone of educating boys is that all boys

are safe to be themselves. Each and every boy

must feel able to express himself and learn to

cherish his uniqueness. Every boy is important;

here at Saints his gifts and strengths will be

celebrated, honoured and enabled. It is not enough

that we celebrate our high fliers and nurture those

with difficulties. We must also ensure that the

‘boy in the middle’ is seen, heard, understood

and valued. The ‘boy in the middle’ is the boy who

quietly goes about his work, applying himself and

achieving his best. Though he may never be in an

A team or receive an academic prize at Speech

Day, this boy is the lifeblood of our great School.

We cherish him.

We could not offer a transforming educational

experience without a very special staff, and that

is something we are truly fortunate to have at

Saints. Our teachers and support staff have a

passion and preparedness to serve this School,

and they know what matters too. They understand

boys and how best to engage and enthuse them.

One of the ways we do this is through cocurricular

activity. Sport is an excellent outlet for boys,

but the real reason we should value sport is that

it helps to shape character. Through sport we

learn to win with grace, lose with courage and

participate with pride. Similarly, outdoor education

teaches us to understand our personal limits –

and to push through them when appropriate.

It teaches the value of teamwork and the difference

between safe and reckless risks. Music and drama

allow boys to express their inner essence and

discover the sensitivity that inhabits each human

being, male or female. All of these activities are

about commitment and perseverance. They allow

boys to shape their values and become good men.

Every single boy at St Peter’s College is special; for

his uniqueness and what he brings to this School.

The measure of our success as a School needs

to be judged by the success of individuals. Each

boy is cherished and brings something special to

Saints and the aggregation of that is remarkable.

I am sure you will settle into life at Saints and all it

has to offer quickly and in no time you will feel part

of a happy and successful school and community.

01

Mr Simon Murray,

Headmaster.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

A message from the Head of Junior School and the Assistant Head of Junior School - Early Years.

02The staff, students and families of the Junior

School welcome you and your family to

St Peter’s College.

It is a great privilege to be the Head of Junior

School at such a world-class school. Your sons

have at their fingertips outstanding teaching staff,

wonderful facilities and buildings, and expansive

grounds for use in our extensive cocurricular

program.

In the Junior School we pride ourselves on our rich

and diverse curriculum; the extensive opportunities

in sport, music, debating, outdoor education,

drama, chess, public speaking and leadership.

I am sure that you and your sons will enjoy the

many new and exciting adventures that lie in

the journey ahead. I look forward to sharing

and celebrating that journey with you.

Welcome to the St Peter’s College Early Learning

Centre. We hope that the time you and your son

spend with us is happy and successful. It is a great

privilege to be a part of the boys learning as they

commence their education at St Peter’s College.

Our Early Learning Centre Staff are:

Teachers

Mrs Holly Baulderstone

Ms Anne Cowan

Miss Jenna Ghion

Co educators

Miss T’Leah Barker

Mrs Melissa Foster

Mrs Karen Steward

Mrs Dorina van der Pennen

Mr David Hine,

Head of Junior School.

Mrs Sheryle Yorston,

Assistant Head of Junior School -

Early Years.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

Introduction.

Vision

Our vision is to be a world-class school where boys flourish.

Through diverse educational, wellbeing and

cocurricular programs our boys will be able to

seize rigorous possibilities available, mindful of the

responsibilities that come with such opportunities.

We aim to be ‘world-class’, which compares

us with the very best schools anywhere in the

Asia-Pacific, United Kingdom, Europe and North

America region.

Mission

St Peter’s College is a leading independent day

and boarding school for boys. Our mission is to

provide an exceptional education that brings out

the very best in every boy.

Core Values

Unlocking strengths, fostering wellbeing, developing

spiritual richness, honouring difference; these are

some of the School’s core values. Our commitment

to our boys and our own values sets us apart.

Our values are the foundation of our work and inform

how we interact with each other. They shape our

culture and define St Peter’s College.

We are committed to:

• Unlocking individual strengths and virtues.

• Embracing creative potential.

• Fostering wellbeing.

• Celebrating the uniqueness of each individual.

• Honouring differences and valuing teamwork.

• Developing life-long engagement, meaning

and purpose.

• Celebrating accomplishments.

• Building life-long mindfulness, resilience

and commitment to service.

• Developing emotional maturity and spiritual

richness within the Anglican tradition.

• Fostering honesty and integrity.

• Meaningful engagement with our community.

03

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

The School aims to foster the development of each individual through participation in a broad and challenging academic and cocurricular program within a supportive Christian framework.

All boys are encouraged to:

• Develop their spiritual understanding

and moral values in order to fulfil their

responsibilities to themselves and others.

• Develop their intellectual, social and

physical abilities.

• Think critically and creatively.

• Develop a life-long enthusiasm and respect

for learning.

• Show respect and courtesy towards others.

• Learn the value of working together for a

common goal and appreciate the importance

of service to others.

• Show initiative and develop qualities of

leadership within the School and the wider

community.

• Care for the physical environment.

• Develop a global perspective and the ability

to adapt to change.

• Appreciate the joy of living in a spirit of

thankfulness.

At the Early Learning Centre we will achieve

these through:

• The provision of meaningful play experiences

to enhance children’s development.

• Respecting and valuing children’s individuality.

• Focusing on children’s interests as a basis for

a child-centred curriculum.

• Establishing flexible routines, which provide a

balance of stability and predictability, but still

allow for spontaneity.

• Providing individual, small group and large

group learning experiences.

• Implementing the Early Years Learning

Framework for Australia, ‘Belonging, Being

& Becoming’, which has been developed to

support the achievement of the following

learning outcomes:

- Children have a strong sense of identity.

- Children are connected with and

contribute to their world.

- Children have a strong sense of

wellbeing.

- Children are confident and involved

learners.

- Children are effective communicators.

Belonging, Being & Becoming 2009. (DEEWR)

04

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

School and Early Learning Centre Aims.

Wellbeing and Positive Education.

As a Christian school we aim to provide a safe and

positive environment while developing appropriate

communication, problem-solving and conflict

resolution skills.

Students are encouraged to make appropriate

choices and develop self-discipline as we commit

to helping all boys understand what it means to be

respectful of others.

Rights.

Every boy has the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect as an

individual.

• Live, learn, work and play in a positive and

safe environment.

• Have personal property treated with respect.

• Be proud of his uniform and the traditions

of St Peter’s College.

Responsibilities.

Every boy has the responsibility to:

• Be respectful and considerate of all individual

differences.

• Listen to and communicate appropriately with

all members of the School community.

• Care for School and personal property with

respect.

• Follow School expectations with regard to

values and dress codes.

05

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

06Parking

Early Learning Centre parents and carers are

asked to use the North Terrace or Hackney

Road car parks when bringing their sons to and

collecting their sons from the Early Learning

Centre.

Confidential Record Forms

When your son is commencing at the Early

Learning Centre, we ask that you complete a

Confidential Record form. The form provides

us with information about your child, family and

emergency contacts and health information. This

information is stored confidentially.

The form also provides the opportunity for you to

tell us about your son, his special interests and

abilities. Should these details change, please

advise us as soon as possible.

Policies and Procedures

There are a number of policies and procedures that

have been developed and are regularly reviewed to

support a shared understanding of ELC practices.

These are available for you to read on Keystone

(the School Portal) and at the Centre (on the

noticeboard and hall table).

Session Times

The Early Learning Centre session times are

as follows:

8:30am - 3:00pm

Boys (may) attend a minimum of two days.

There are limited vacancies for 4 year old boys in

After School Care due to national regulations now

in place related to Outside School Hours Care.

Sign In Sheets

On arrival each day, please mark your son’s

attendance on the attendance sheets located

on the shelf near the entrance to each room.

This ensures that your son’s presence is recorded

and allows us to ensure you are billed accordingly.

As well as advising a staff member, you may also

use the sheet to inform us that somebody different

will be collecting your son from the Early Learning

Centre or that he will be attending After School Care.

In the event of this occurring at short notice,

please telephone to advise us. We will only release

children to persons authorised by parents to

collect children. These people are documented

in the Confidential Record form.

Lockers

Each boy has a named locker. The locker provides

an identified space for your son to hang his bag

(a small bag to carry snack, lunch, spare clothes

etc), and to put his shoes and socks if they are

removed during the session and any artwork.

Above each locker is a pigeonhole where any

correspondence, newsletters etc will be placed.

Please check this daily.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

Early Learning Centre Procedures.

Our mission is to provide an exceptional education that brings out the very best in every boy.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

School Procedures.

Sun Safe Practices

We expect all boys to wear a hat whilst outside

throughout the year, and especially between

September and May. Whilst most experiences will

be set up in the shade, sunscreen is available and

with permission will be applied. Please see our Sun

Protection Policy.

Eating at the Early Learning Centre

Eating at the Early Learning Centre occurs in many

situations for many reasons. Firstly, for health and

nutrition; to sustain, nourish, aid growth,

development and concentration. In addition,

cooking and the sharing of food supports children

to become increasingly responsible for their

own health and wellbeing (Belonging, Being &

Becoming 2009).

Families are asked to send along a healthy snack

for boys to eat during the morning. Examples

of appropriate foods include fresh or dried fruit,

crackers and cheese.

Boys require a separately packed lunch each

day. Please place this in the fridge in your son’s

homeroom.

As in any community, our different dietary and

medical needs and cultural and religious beliefs

require us to consider what foods are available

at the Early Learning Centre. To keep boys with

food allergies as safe as possible, please DO NOT

SEND foods containing:

• Nuts and products containing nuts

(e.g. peanut butter, Nutella).

• Sesame seeds including hummus.

For further information please read our Nutrition,

Food and Beverages and Dietary Requirements

Policy.

Staying Healthy and Illnesses

Germs and occasional illnesses are a fact of life.

We will apply a number of strategies to foster skills

for healthy living with boys at the Early Learning

Centre. These include healthy eating, healthy

drinking (water), washing hands before cooking

and eating and after using the toilet, hands

covering mouths when coughing, appropriate

disposal of tissues after use, the list goes on!

However, we are aware that boys will occasionally

become ill.

We seek your support in reducing the transmission

of illnesses by keeping boys home when they are

ill and advising us of the nature of their illness. In

turn, we can alert other parents to the fact that

certain illnesses are around. Please telephone

if your son is going to be absent from the Early

Learning Centre (8404 0600). Thank you for your

support regarding this matter. Please see our

Health Policies.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

09

10Birthdays and Parties

We ask that birthday invitations be posted directly

to homes . This prevents invitations being opened

by boys at the Early Learning Centre, being lost or

disappointment to those who aren’t invited. Contact

details for families are available on Keystone /

Community / Community Directory / ELC

Your son’s birthday will be celebrated informally at

the ELC. We ask that families save cakes and other

treats for home celebrations.

Newsletter

The School Newsletter is emailed home to parents

each fortnight. In addition, at the start of each term,

a calendar of School events will also be sent home.

If you do not currently receive the newsletter, please

send an email to marketing@stpeters.sa.edu.au

with the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.

eSmart

St Peter’s College is currently undertaking

accreditation to become an eSmart school.

eSmart assists our teachers, students and the

whole School community to embrace the benefits

of technology and reduce our exposure to

cyberspace risks such as cyberbullying, identity

theft, online sexual predation and accessing or

sending inappropriate images and content.

These issues are challenges which we currently

face as a School community.

In our work towards achieving eSmart status

we will be integrating cybersafety into wellbeing

policies, establishing clear procedures to deal with

incidents, and delivering curriculum around the

smart, safe and responsible use of technology.

For further information please visit our website at

http://www.stpeters.sa.edu.au/our-schools/esmart.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

Curriculum.

Our curriculum is developed and delivered

considering early childhood philosophy and best

practice. Many of the learning opportunities are

provided through a play-based curriculum.

In practice, this means learning opportunities

are planned to promote interactive and hands on

learning for children, to develop and practice skills

and abilities and construct knowledge. A variety

of experiences will be offered each day; some of

these will be new (for example a particular

art experience), whilst others will be consistently

offered to provide boys with opportunities to

expand on their developing knowledge and

skills (for example drawing, painting, block and

construction play). Others will be incidental and

spontaneous as we respond to emerging ideas

and questions. Experiences are provided with

the aim of promoting the development of the

whole child. Any single experience will promote

development in many areas.

We use the Early Years Learning Framework for

Australia, ‘Belonging, Being & Becoming’ to plan,

implement and report on children’s learning.

We understand and respect the differences in

the abilities and interests of boys attending our

Early Learning Centre and will deliver our program

accordingly. The play-based experiences offered

will provide many and varied opportunities for

boys to develop skills and knowledge of literacy,

numeracy and scientific processes appropriate

in the early years. Educators will regularly

communicate with parents regarding boys’

learning and development.

Our work is also inspired by the practice and

pedagogy of the schools in Reggio Emilia,

Northern Italy.

Learning Profiles

To document and record the boys development

and progress at the Early Learning Centre we

keep Profiles. A plastic pocket folder format

allows us to keep examples of the boy’s work to

demonstrate the development of his knowledge,

skills and attitudes. As not all “work” can be

filed, for example block construction or sand play,

photographs are also used to record “work” and

learning. The Profiles will be sent home at the end

of each term with a written summary at the end

of Terms 2 and 4. If you would like to peruse your

son’s Profile at another time, please see staff.

Parent Help

Caring, interested adults willing to spend some

time at the Early Learning Centre are a valuable

asset to early childhood programs. We welcome

any amount of time you have available to help us

at the Centre. This time may be spent regularly

(once a week) or whenever you have some spare

time. You can help by talking to your son about

what he is doing, reading stories, writing stories,

cooking and helping prepare materials.

A criminal history screening is required for all

volunteers. Please provide the School with a copy

if you have one. Staff can provide details of how

these can be obtained.

Other ways you can help include saving recycled

materials [for example washing smocks, cutting

fruit or responding to calls for help that may appear

in the newsletter from time to time (such as help on

excursions)].

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

11

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

13

Daily Routines and Transition to School.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

Items to bring to the Early Learning Centre

Each day, your son needs to bring:

• A healthy snack to share (eg fruit, cheese and

savoury biscuits).

• A clearly named drink bottle.

• Lunch packed separately.

Please be aware of our Nutrition Policy when

providing food to be consumed at the Early

Learning Centre.

Please ensure all of your son’s belongings

(especially hats, shoes, clothing and lunch boxes)

are clearly named.

Library and Literacy Kits

As a part of our early literacy experiences we

encourage the boys to borrow a book from the

Library. We ask that the boys bring a fabric bag

to carry the book to and from the Early Learning

Centre. Books are exchanged on one day each

week. If your son does not attend on that day you

may visit the Library with him to borrow a book or

an ELC staff member can choose a book for him.

Please help your son learn to care for the books by

turning pages carefully, reading books with clean

hands etc. In addition to library books, boys are

able to borrow a Literacy Kit each week. Please

speak to staff if you wish to borrow a Literacy Kit.

Further information about the kits is included in

each bag.

Time The School Day

8.30am Arrival from 8:30am. Boys to go to their designated home room

8:45am Early Learning Centre morning meetings times begin

9:15am Inside activities

10:00am Morning tea (eaten in home room groups)

10:15am Choice of inside and outside activities (both teacher and child directed and initiated)

12:00pm End of the morning group times

12:30pm Lunch (eaten in home room groups)

1:00pm Quiet play

1:30pm Relaxation or Relax Time

2:00pm Inside activities

2:30pm Outside activities

2:50pm Short story / group time

3:00pm Farewell

Timetable

14Transition to School

The close proximity of the Early Learning Centre to

the Junior Primary provides many opportunities for

boys to become familiar with school. We are able

to make both planned and spontaneous visits to

the classrooms, Library, Hall and other facilities.

These visits may be to join in with a specific activity

or utilise facilities. In the term prior to school entry,

boys participate in a transition program allowing

them to participate in many aspects of the school

day prior to entry to school. Easy access to the

school classrooms and staff enables us to plan a

program appropriate to the needs of individual boys.

Recyclable Materials

You can assist us by saving recyclable materials for

us to use at the Centre.

• Buttons

• Newspapers

• Margarine and yoghurt containers

• Lids (screw and plastic)

• Bottle tops

• Corks

• Ice cream containers

• Stockings and socks

• Wool

• Gum nuts

• Cotton reels

• Wrapping paper, ribbons and bows

• Materials scraps

• Cereal and biscuit boxes

And anything else clean and safe that we can

create with.

Please, no:

• Egg cartons

• Toilet rolls

• Laundry or dishwasher powder boxes

• Polystyrene foam

• Medication bottles or packets

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

ELC Uniform.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

15 Summer Uniform

Short sleeve polo shirt – royal blue with white collar

and trim.

Royal blue shorts with drawstring waist.

Sandals or sneakers.

Royal blue Saints Legionnaire hat for all outdoor

play and activities.

Winter Uniform

Short sleeve polo shirt – royal blue with white collar

and trim (same as summer top).

A long sleeve rugby top – royal blue and white

stripe with School crest.

Royal blue trackpants with reinforced knee.

Sandals or sneakers.

Royal blue over-pants to protect trackpants while

playing outside during winter.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

17

School Fees.

School Fees

To ensure the School community is aware of the

review and payment process for School fees, the

following information and important dates will assist

you in your financial planning:

A letter will be sent to all members of the School

community in December 2013 advising of 2014 fees,

payment options and terms and conditions.

ELC Fees for 2014 will be billed at the end of each

term based on the different sessions that your son

attended and are due within 30 days.

If the morning session is booked and your son does

not attend due to illness, you will still be charged for

that session.

While it is the aim of the Council to set fees on an

annual basis, the Council of Governors reserves the

right to change these at any time.

Please contact Liana Calabro for fee enquiries.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

18

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

Headmaster’s Office

Mr Simon Murray, Headmaster

Mrs Louisa Coussens, Personal Assistant

to Headmaster

Head of Junior School

Mr David Hine, Head of Junior School

Administrative Matters and General Procedures

Mrs Sheryle Yorston, Assistant Head of

Junior School - Early Years

Student Wellbeing or Daily Routine matters

Class Teacher or Mrs Sheryle Yorston,

Assistant Head of Junior School - Early Years

Curriculum and Teaching and Learning

Class Teacher or Mrs Sheryle Yorston,

Assistant Head of Junior School - Early Years

Wellbeing and Positive Education

Dr Mathew White, Director of Wellbeing

and Positive Education

Library

Mrs Alison Winter and Mrs Sue Dansie,

Junior School Teacher Librarians

Chaplaincy Matters

The Reverend Dr Theo McCall, School Chaplain

Counselling Issues

Ms Zoë Alford, School Psychologist

Mr David McShane, School Counselor

Fees

Ms Liana Calabro, School Accounts

Marketing and Communications

Mrs Tracy McNamara, Marketing

and Communications Manager

Admissions

Ms Melissa Cheesman,

Admissions Manager

Uniform

Mrs Stacey Nattrass, Uniform Shop Manager

St Peter’s College

St Peters, Adelaide, Australia, 5069

+618 8404 0400

@SPC_Adelaide

reception@stpeters.sa.edu.au

Who to see about what in the Early Learning Centre.

19

Map.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

20

BUILDING GREAT MEN.

St Peter’s College

St Peters, Adelaide, Australia, 5069

+618 8404 0400

stpeters.sa.edu.au

@SPC_Adelaide

CRICOS Provider No. 01535E. The Anglican Church of Australia Collegiate School of Saint Peter, trading as St Peter’s College.