ELC, Term 3 Week 7 2026
Belonging or Baa-longing?
Last Friday, something unusual happened in the Early Learning Centre. Grown adults, educators with degrees, diplomas and years of experience arrived dressed as sheep.
Not just any sheep, either. Inspired by the beloved picture book Where is the Green Sheep?, our staff transformed into star sheep, wave sheep, sun sheep, moon sheep, boat sheet, rain sheep, sleep sheep, purple sheep, band sheep and our very own celebrity: the ELC Green Sheep.
Was it silly? Absolutely. Was it exactly what our philosophy asks of us? Also, absolutely.
Pulteney’s ELC philosophy talks about fostering a sense of being, belonging and becoming in every child. What it doesn’t spell out, but what Friday made delightfully obvious, is that belonging is important. When children saw their educators willing to be a bit silly, a bit brave and a bit sheepish – they didn’t just watch the fun, they joined it. Costumes cobbled together and baaing echoed around.
This is the quiet magic of shared experience. Children build their sense of identity not from being told they belong, but from feeling it, watching trusted adults model connection, humour and community with one another. When staff feel secure and connected as a team, that security ripples outward to children, and from children to families, and from families back into the wider school community.
Happy, secure children thrive. But happy, secure children need happy, secure grown-ups leading the way, educators who feel they belong just as much as the little ones in their care.
So, if you spotted rogue sheep wandering the ELC on Friday, know that underneath the costumes was a team quietly living out our values: connected, courageous, and completely committed to helping every child (and every colleague) find their place in the flock.
Kimberly McMahon
Head of Early Childhood
Policies for family feedback
As part of our quality processes, families are invited to feedback on ELC policies from time to time. We currently have updated and draft policies for review at the ELC Policy Review Point. If you are interested in reviewing and commenting, please call in to the ELC Office.
ELC Fathers Day Stay & Play – Tuesday 1 September
We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming Pulteney ELC Fathers Day Stay and Play.
Date: Tuesday 1 September
Time: 8.15am – 9.30am
Venue: ELC Classrooms
This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your child, engaging in play, reading, making and creating together. It is also a fantastic chance to meet their friends and connect with other ELC families.
We hope to see you there.
Mid-Year ELC Photo day
We are excited to let you know that JRP Group will be coming to Pulteney to take photos of our Mid-Year ELC students on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September from 9.30am. JRP will take a class photo and then an individual portrait of each student.
The photos will be taken in the Kurrajong area.
It would be appreciated if students can please wear their striped rugby jumper with navy shorts or pants. Information will be communicated with families regarding ordering images shortly.
Save the Date Term 3
| Holiday Care Bookings
In consultation with the children, the ELC Educator Team has designed an exciting program for the upcoming term break. Click HERE. Bookings will close on Monday 14 September, please email elc@pulteney.sa.edu.au with your required days. As our staffing is based on confirmed bookings, we are unable to guarantee care for children who have not been booked in advance. If you arrive without a booking, we may need to ask that you make alternative arrangements and take your child home. We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us plan appropriately for all children in our care. Key Details: Important Information: Booking Requests: Please email your booking requests to elc@pulteney.sa.edu.au by Monday 14 September 2026 Term Bookings: Children’s regular term-time bookings will be paused with no charge during the holiday program Return Date: Term 4 begins on Monday 12 October 2026. We look forward to providing your children with an enjoyable holiday care experience. Thank you for your support, |
| ELC Show Day Care Key Details:
Friday 11 September is a whole school closure day. The ELC will be open for a ‘holiday care program’ for families who require care. Date: Friday 11 September Families who do not book in for care on this day will not be charged. ELC Show Day Care bookings close Mon 31 Aug Bookings will close, Monday 31 August, for ELC care on the School’s Show Day on Friday 11 September. If you require care for your child on this day, please email Chloe at elc@pulteney.sa.edu.au |
| Learning Conferences
Semester 2 Learning Conferences will be held in Week 7 and provide an important opportunity for students, parents and teachers to reflect on progress, celebrate achievements and discuss goals for the remainder of the year. For all students, ELC-Year 12, please note the following dates:
Booking information and conference links have been shared, please see Chloe in the ELC Office, if you require support with your booking. |