Hello
As I sit and contemplate writing this
newsletter it is hard to believe that we
are half way through November already
and the end of our Pre-School year is
fast approaching.
October was a busy month with the
highlight being our Open Day on
Saturday, 24 October. The Pre-School
shone, opening up the ‘Children’s House’
to special invited guests, past and
present families to celebrate the
Pre-School’s 35th Birthday.
November through to the end of the
Pre-School year is quite a full calendar,
the children continue to prepare for
the Christmas Concert on Tuesday,
1 December followed by two singing
engagements, the ‘Friday Club ’
Apex Retirement Village on Friday,
4 December and Linton House on
Monday, 14 December.
The children and educators look
forward to all these events, having the
opportunity and privilege again, to spend
time with members of our community.
School Orientations are almost
complete; the children who have
attended school orientations are full of
excitement as they share their big
adventure with educators and peers.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 5
DATES TO REMEMBER
Term 4
Christmas Concert
Tuesday, 1 Dec
5.30 for 6pm start
Friday Club
Friday, 4 Dec
Linton House
Monday, 14 Dec
Last Day Term 4
16 Dec
2016
Frist Day of Term 1
Thursday, 28 Jan
Please
Remember
Children are to wear
a broad brimmed
hat—please send
one to school with
your child.
NO HAT NO PLAY
From the Director’s Desk The educators at Yass Montessori Pre-
School have worked consciously to
complete individual ‘Transition to School
Statements’ for children who will be
starting school in 2016. Families who
have received a ‘Transition Statement’
need to pass these onto the respective
schools for their information.
I will be hosting an afternoon tea with
local school teachers next week as a
follow up to the schools receiving the,
‘Transition to School Statement’ The
primary aim of the meeting will be to
develop strong working relationships
with our local schools, working towards a
positive transition process for every
child from Pre-School to School.
Cheers
Wendy
Hop on board the dinosaur train!
Committee Corner – Opening Hours and Fees, 2016 and Christmas Party
The Committee met again on 11 November 2016 and discussed the results of the recent
Parent survey about extended opening hours for 2016. The Committee noted there was
wide support for extending opening hours to 8.30 am to 4 pm from Term 1, 2016. Many
thanks to everyone who responded. It is important to get feedback from families so we
can tailor the operations of the Pre-school as much as possible.
As we have indicated in previous correspondence, changes in government funding mean
we are constantly looking at how we can remain a preferred option for parents and carers
looking for a pre-school education for their children.
With this in mind and acknowledging the survey results, the Committee decided to
proceed with extending hours of operation of the Pre-School.
Commencing in Term 1 2016, Yass Montessori Pre-school will operate from 8.30
am to 4 pm sharp, during NSW school terms.
Of course with an increase in hours, comes an increase in operational costs for the
Pre-School. In an effort to keep costs to families as low as possible while balancing the
need to cover costs for the extended hours, the Committee considered the Fees
Schedule for 2016.
As a result, the Committee determined the daily standard fee to attend the
Pre-School will become $36.00 a day.
The proposed changes to the fees will be displayed in the fee
policy document, in the Montessori foyer for the next two weeks. If you have any queries
about the changes please do not hesitate to contact the Committee at
A copy of the new fee schedule is attached to this newsletter.
The Committee were pleased that the Open Day and 35th Birthday celebrations on
24 October were a great success and were enjoyed by everyone. The Committee thanks
staff for their enormous efforts in preparing for the day, and in particular, Wendy for her
Ah-MAZING birthday cake that tasted just as good as it looked. The Committee were
proud to welcome the Mayor of Yass, Rowena Abbey, as well as long serving Parton of
the Pre-school Kate Walker; The Hon Pru Goward MP, Member for Goulburn and one of
the founding parents, Sian Chadwick. It is great to keep the wider community involved in
our community Pre-School!
The Committee is now busy planning the Christmas Party for Tuesday, 1 December at
Berinba Public School. Please start arriving from 5.30 pm for 6 pm sharp start.
There will be a sausage sizzle and fruit drinks provided for families to enjoy after the
children have performed their Christmas concert that we all love! You will receive further
information about the Christmas Party. Looking forward to seeing you there to celebrate
another happy and busy year at Yass Montessori Pre-School!
Next meeting will be:
Wednesday, 9 December 2015, 7:30pm at the Pre-School
Meetings wrap up no later than 9:30pm!
Co
mm
ittee Corn
er:
General
Meeting Dates:
10 Feb
9 Mar (AGM)
13 Apr
11 May
Everybody is
welcome
Page: 2
Page: 3
In the Children’s House: The children have been involved in preparations for the Christmas Concert, learning new
songs and making props to assist with their presentation, while going about their usual
Montessori work cycle.
Christmas Gifts
The children would like to thank everyone who sent in items to assist with the creation
of their Christmas Gifts for their families. There are enough resources to begin making
gifts.
Whole School Excursion
On Tuesday, 10 November the children travelled by bus to the ‘Reptile Zoo’ at Gold
Creek Canberra.
The educators would like to thank all the parents who kindly volunteered their time to
assist with the excursion, it was a very enjoyable day.
The children were presented information about local and not so local reptiles in a
humorous and informative manner by our presenter. He had the children enthralled
with his antics when showing each reptile.
After the presentation the children were able to move through the Zoo and get to know
the reptiles a little better. We had lunch together in the outdoor area before we
boarded the bus to return to the Pre-School. A great day!
Upcycled Piano
A few weeks ago at ‘Yass Revolve’ a piano was found that
needed a new home and a little TLC. It was promptly
purchased and kindly picked up and delivered to the
Pre-School by Wes Aide and Pereri .
The piano is now in place in the undercover area of the
Pre-School. The keys still have taped on letters, so
educators were able to adapt some of the Montessori
Bells music for the children to follow on the keyboard of
the piano.
It has been a joy to listen to the children experiment with
the piano and the educators play tunes on the piano for
the children.
Our piano is a little worn and well loved, but we adore it all the same.
Programming
The educators are completing the last programming cycle for the year, and
Individual Child Portfolios are being completed. These will be presented in the children’s
gift bags on the night of the Christmas Concert.
The Montessori weekly program will continue until the end of the year.
Practical Life
The children have returned to these activities over the past few weeks.
Sewing Basket- develops fine motor skills and cognitive skills. Children
designing what they want to sew.
Torch assembly, placing in the batteries – develops knowledge about
technology and how objects work.
Eye dropper – fine motor skills, control of movement placing the drops
into individual suction cups.
Window Washing – fine motor and gross motor development
Food Preparation
Some of the great things the children have been preparing so far this term:
Shelling peas and beans from our garden dipping into balsamic vinegar
Flatbread wraps, spread with vegemite and rolled
Traffic light snacks celery sticks cut into lengths, spread with ricotta, place
a piece of Red, Green and Yellow Capsicum placed on top to create the
Traffic Light.
Coconut Date Balls: Educators to assist with processing step. (Great
Christmas snack that the children can assist to make only two ingredi-
ents!)
3 cups of desiccated coconut
2 cups pitted dates
Place 2 cups of coconut and 2 cups of pitted dates into food processor.
Process on high speed for 3 – 4 minutes, pausing to scrape down sides as
needed.
Remove from processor and roll teaspoon-sized balls. Roll in remaining 1
cup of coconut.
Page: 4
Page: 4
“The child seeks
for independence
by means of
work; an
independence of
body and mind.”
Dr Maria
Montessori
Page: 5
Housekeeping: Fees
All fees for 2015 are due and payable on or before 27 November 2015. Please see
Kathy if you have any queries regarding your outstanding fees.
Christmas Party
All families please note there is an RSVP sheet in the foyer for this event. Families
please indicate how many people you may have attending the Christmas Party, this
will assist with catering. Thank you
In the Garden The garden has been very productive the last month, the children harvested sugar
snap peas, kale, spinach and broad beans.
The spring crops are coming to an end so it is time to replant for summer. The
children have assisted to plant tomatoes, beetroot, cabbage and potatoes.
Families may have noted the double and single poppies flowering in the garden.
Educators have received some requests for seeds.
Currently the seed pods are being cut as the flowers finish. When the seed pods have
dried out these will be placed in the foyer with a donations cup if you would like
some poppy seeds.
New tyres have been added to the yard providing the children with spaces to extend
their imaginative play.
“The child
should live in an
environment of
beauty.”
Dr Maria
Montessori
Today was a perfect day for water
in the sandpit!
Page: 6
Holiday Watering Roster for the Garden
If you would be able to assist with watering the Pre-School garden over the summer
school holidays please let either Wendy or Kathy know so a watering roster can be
completed.
Sustainability Celebrating Recycling Week 16—20 November:
Paper making
The children have been making recycled paper using newspaper and shredded
documents. The children have asked many questions about the process of making
paper, suggesting what they thought paper was made out of. The children will be
using the paper they have made to make gift tags for Christmas.
Rubbish audits
The children guided by an educator have conducted rubbish audits of the three
recycling bins that are located in the classroom. This exercise has assisted to affirm to
the children the benefits of recycling and which bin our discarded items should go in.
Did you know?
O Recycling a tonne of paper can save half a hectare of trees
O One million plastic bags are consumed every minute around the world
O One recycled aluminium can saves enough energy to run your TV for three hours
Our Community New Planter Boxes
The Pre-School has received this week two planter boxes from the Yass Men’s Shed.
The planter boxes are made from recycled timber and perspex, to allow the children to
view the growth of plants and the development of root systems.
The planter boxes are in place, one at the entrance to the Pre-School and the
other in the classroom.
“We must help
the child to act for
himself, will for
himself, think for
himself; this is the
art of those who
aspire to serve
the spirit.”
Dr Maria
Montessori
Page: 7
Face Painter: Magical Realms Children’s Entertainment
As promised these are the details of the Face Painter who was in attendance at the
Pre-School Open Day.
Nessa the Fairy
Phone: 0488 032 479
Those who were lucky enough to have their face painted would agree she did a
wonderful job. You can also find business cards and flyers for Nessa the Fairy on the
foyer bench.
Feeling Fishy Field Day on the Yass River
Hosted by ‘Rivers of Carbon – Yass River Linkages’ and the Yass Area Network of
Landcare Groups
You can register for your FREE tickets at www.riversofcarbon.org.au
See Flyer on Notice Board.
Date: 29 November 2015
Time: 9.30am—1.30pm
Location: ‘Casamarah’ 1512 Yass River Road