...where children are happy to learn
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31 Harrington St, Elderslie NSW 2570
ph: (02) 4658 0706 mob: 0411 777 583
Welcome to August
Dear Parents/Families,
I would like to acknowledge the Dharawal people, the Traditional custodians of the lands on which I live and work today. I pay my respects to elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hope of Aboriginal Australians.
Please make sure to check our August Calendar of Events on our OWNA app and our website to avoid missing out on any special events that might occur on the days your child/ren attend. Participating in these events helps educators plan for future events and shows great partnerships with families when it comes to assessment and rating.
HDK’S parent committee is open for new committee members, if you are interested, please shoot Miss Sam an email and she can add you into our mailing list. We completely understand parents and families’ busy schedules which is why our parent committee is email based.
What's on Next Month !
Park Run
2nd August - 30th August
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5 kilometre community event. Unlike other local parkruns, the Australian Botanic Gardens offers a uniquely challenging 5km trail course. The scenic route features undulating hills, diverse landscapes, and natural beauty, offering a rewarding experience for fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. After the event, participants can enjoy a post-run coffee at The Garden's Cafe, fostering a sense of community. Please note that pets and prams are not permitted on the course, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
Cobbitty Village Markets
2nd August
Experience a true country market day with 150 stalls selling an exciting range of craft, gourmet foods, and local produce. Sit, relax, and enjoy a delicious barbeque breakfast or lunch, Devonshire teas, and a variety of gourmet delicacies. Free parking for over 1000 cars. Well-behaved and socialised dogs on leads are welcome at the market. Ensure you pick up after your dog and be mindful to take care in busy areas and around children
Camden Crystal & Mystics Fair
24th August
A family-friendly day, treat your heart and soul and meet like-minded individuals, psychic readers and an amazing variety of retail exhibitors. There's a Psychic Readers Hub which hosts gifted and professional psychics, mediums, numerologists and astrology readers. Relax and rebalance with one of our Wellness Healers who specialises in aura photography, reiki, kinesiology, access bars, sound and energy healing. There is a wonderful variety of inspiring exhibitors ranging from crystals and gemstones, jewellery, candles, paintings and artwork, dreamcatchers, spiritual gifts and beautiful handmade creations. Entry Cost All tickets $5 - $5 at the door, Children under 16 FREE with paying adult. CASH ONLY
Important Reminders
Reminder to Parents
A reminder to all parents that our contract hours are from 7:00am to 6:00 pm.
This means that our insurance and licensing only allows children and families on site during these allotted times for everyone’s safety.
Please ensure you are arriving to drop off and pick up to within these times.
A Late Fee of $80 per 15 minute increments starting from 6pm will be added to your account.
Label Belongings
Please remember to label everything. lunchboxes, drink bottles, bags and spare clothes.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to our June celebrants:
Miss Julia, Ofelia, Mya, Zara.B, Finnley, Kingsley, Lily & Lucy.M
Footwear
Please ensure child are wearing appropriate footwear each and every day, this includes closed in toes, solid supportive soles, correct sizing and appropriate accessibility to the children.
Please avoid thongs/flipflops, slides, slippers, and shoes the children cannot learn to use independently (difficult laces, buckles or zippers)
Sign in /out
A reminder to please sign your child in and out every day using the iPad at the door.
If you have any issues with signing in/out, please let a staff member know so we can assist.
Absences
If your child is going to be absent from the centre, please document this by marking them absent via the OWNA app, notifying us of your child’s absence allows us to open that spot to a family that might need it as a casual day.
Clothing
ALL children must bring spare clothing every day; even if completely toilet trained.
This to ensure that in the event of an accident, split food or messy play they have clothing to change into.
Infectious Illnesses
Please HELP us contain infectious illnesses by keeping your child at home when they are sick. If your child is absent from school due to an illness, please make sure to bring in a clearance form from the doctors on their next booked day. If your child has been sent home from school on their booked day, in correspondence to our SICK CHILDREN’S POLICY, your child must stay home for 24 hours before bringing them back, to reduce the spread of illnesses and also provide a Doctor’s Clearence. If a Doctor’s Clearence is not provided your child/ren will not be able to attend for the day.
Policy of the Month
This month Educators have reviewed the following policies:
- - Anaphylaxis Management Policy
- Asthma Management Policy
- Cystic Fibrosis Management Policy
- Diabetes Management Policy
- Epilepsy Management Policy
- Head Lice Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Safe Transportation Policy
These can be found on our OWNA app for your viewing.
What we got up to last month...
Glow in the Dark Disco!
HDK hosted a Glow in the Dark Disco where the children engaged in singing and dancing. The children came all dressed in white where they had the opportunity to decorate using glow in the dark paint. It was a morning filled with music, laughter, party food and creating lasting memories with friends.
NAIDOC Week 2025
In honour of NAIDOC Week, the Possums and Wombats at HDK participated in storytelling, crafts, songs and small sensory worlds. This year’s theme was ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. It celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors
Teddy Bears Picnic
On Thursday the 10th of July, the children at HDK participated in the Teddy Bears Picnic. We gathered outdoors for a delicious lunch time with our friends and fluffy teddy bears.
Winter Wonderland Party
In celebration of Christmas in July, HDK hosted a Winter Wonderland. It was a fun morning filled with party games such as Pin the Nose on Olaf, Pass the Parcel and Musical Statues. The children were also greeted with a special visit from Elsa. They enjoyed singing and dancing with her.
Magic Moments
Please enjoy some of our Magic Moment's from throughout July!
Classroom News
Age-based Intentional Learning Groups
Possums
Learning Group for 2-3 yrs old
July Recap
Science Skills
For the month of July, the Possums Monthly Focus Activity has been exploring all about Science and engaging in a variety of different experiments that involved building their hypothesis skills, colour recognition, literacy and numeracy skills and exploring the understanding of measurements big and small, heavy and light.
Hypothesising - At the start of each experiment, the children were asked what they think would happen as a result of the science experiment. This increases their thinking and problem solving skills.
Colour Recognition - Throughout the month of July, our science experiments involved many colours which assisted in increasing the children’s ability to recognize and identify colours.
Measurements - the children enjoyed the opportunity of exploring the concept of measurements by voicing and pointing out if an object was big or small and holding items in their hands to decide if it was heavy or light.
Literacy and Numeracy - As the Possums participated in each experiment, they practiced their literacy and numeracy skills by voicing each item or ingredient involved in the experiment and assisting their educators in counting the amount of items placed on the table.
Wombat Kindy's & Jnr's
Learning Group for 4-5 year olds | Learning Group for 3-4 year olds
School Readiness Program
July Recap
For the month of July the Kindy Wombats focus has been science and discovery. Learning about science and discovery in early childhood is crucial for developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong love for learning. It fosters curiosity, encourages exploration, and helps children understand the world around them. Over the month the Kindy Wombats have enjoyed participating in various different science experiments from learning about reflecting light, sink and float, Volcanos erupting, plants going through photosynthesis, and blowing up balloons using bi-carb soda and vinegar.
Projects
Multicultural Project
This month across the service our Project was Cultural Diversity to commence NAIDOC Week and celebrate the different cultures in our HDK community. Both our Wombat & Possum Room have engaged in this topic of interest, beginning by reading the story ‘Where are you from?’. Each week we discovered a new culture, starting with Traditional Indigenous stories, dance and music. Moving into China where we made Traditional lanterns and fans. The final two weeks we celebrated Ireland and received a visit from two special Leprechaun friends that got up to lots of mischief. For Italy our Wombats & Possums made homemade pizzas! We ended the month with a Multicultural Lunch and encouraged our families to share some of their favourite meals with us and dress up in their culture.
Lots of Love, Miss Julia & Miss Bella
Focus Learning Programs
Playing And Learning to Socialise (PALS)
Happy Days Social Skills Program
July Recap
Body Autonomy & Consent
This month, as part of our PALS program, the Wombats and Possums have been focusing on the important topic of body safety/autonomy and consent. Through a range of age-appropriate discussions, stories, and songs, the children have been developing their understanding of what it means to be “The boss of their own body”.
We’ve explored the difference between safe and unsafe touch, helping children identify what feels comfortable and what might make them feel unsure or unsafe. As part of these conversations, we’ve been learning how to recognise and listen to the body’s warning signs, sometimes described as an “uh-oh” feeling and what to do if that feeling arises. The children are being encouraged to use their voice, say “no” when something doesn’t feel right, and to always tell a trusted adult.
We’ve also discussed the difference between a secret and a surprise, and why it’s important to speak up if something is making them feel sad, worried or uncomfortable. Each child has identified their five trusted adults, people they can go to if they ever need help or support.
In addition to learning about safety, we’ve also talked about body positivity and the importance of loving our bodies. The children were encouraged to recognise that their bodies are special and unique, and that by loving and respecting our bodies, we also learn to take care of them and keep them safe.
To support their learning, we’ve listened to empowering songs like “Boss of My Own Body” and “One Talk at a Time” by the Teeny Tiny Stevies, read the story “Secrets and Surprises” from the Little Big Chats series, and engaged in meaningful group discussions where children shared their thoughts, ideas, and feelings in a supportive environment.
These experiences are all part of giving the Wombats and Possums the language, tools and confidence they need to understand their rights, set personal boundaries, and seek help when they need it, helping to keep themselves and each other safe.
Lots of Love, Miss Britt & Miss Molly
Eco-Warriors
Happy Days Sustainability Program
...when Fun and Responsibility meet
July Recap
It's been a month full of learning about sustainable living. For the month of July, our topic for Eco-Warriors is about saving electricity within the centre and implementing these practices at home as well.
The Wombats and Possums joined Miss Dee and Miss Kayla in learning about saving electricity and how it is important to do so to keep the Earth happy.
The Wombats and Possums were engaged to every group discussion about ways we can save electricity and use natural light within the centre. Each day, the children helped their educators to turn off the heater when it had become warm inside then close all the doors to keep the heat in, they would help to open up the blinds to bring the natural light in rather than having constant ceiling lights on and turn off the room lights when no one is inside or natural light was bright enough.
Love, Miss Kayla & Miss Dee
Munch and Move
Happy Days Health & Fitness Program
July Recap
Juice July
The Wombats & Possums have been exploring healthy eating in a hands-on way by making their very own banana smoothies!🥤✨
Working their way around the table, the children took turns at adding the ingredients to make up their banana smoothie, watching excitedly as we used the blender to mix it all together! First we added our banana’s, then we poured in the milk and finished off with a scoop of vanilla yoghurt. The Wombats & Possums were eager to make observations and explore the different smells and tastes too. Before we mixed it together, the Wombats & Possums even predicted the smoothie would turn yellow, just like a Minion 🍌🍌🍌
This was a great opportunity to support our ongoing discussions in the classroom around making healthy choices. We loved seeing the Wombats & Possums so enthusiastic about learning how our food is made. Well done, little juicers!
MEET SPIKE
Hello Families,
We’re so excited to introduce you to SPIKE—HDK’s new centre pet!
Spike is a five-year-old bearded dragon, and he’s already made himself right at home. The Possums and Wombats will have the opportunity to interact with Spike and help care for him, learning about responsibility, empathy, and reptiles along the way!
Both the children and educators are thrilled to welcome Spike into our HDK family.
Community Engagement
Camden Produce Markets – Every Saturday 7am to 12pm
Shine Shed Playgroup – Every Tuesday 1pm - 2:30pm & Every Friday 9:15am to 10:45am
$10 entry
5 Mount Erin Road, Blair Athol
Menangle Night Markets – Second Saturday of Every Month 5pm - 10pm
Timbernook Southern Sydney - Appin
Tiny Ones (0-6yrs old) Every Monday 9:30am to 11:30am & 12pm to 2pm
Little Wild Ones (3-9yrs old) Every Wednesday 9:30am to 12:30pm or 9:30am to 1:30pm
