Extended Hours Reflection - Term 4, week 7

Late last week, Bea, Jiya and Mia, along with Anne were studying and discussing the large cranes being used behind Toorak Park which are working away daily. The girls all came up with a few things they would like to learn about the cranes, wrote a short letter to the construction company and sent it through the mail. We were lucky enough to receive a response, and a visit from Chris, who works on the building site. Chris and his builders all got together over morning tea and gave us a written response to the girls inquiries. He also explained to us all about the buildings they are constructing- 3 high rise buildings, one which is going to have 440 apartments in it! He explained to us the big hole in the ground which will eventually become a car park ( and encourages parents to take their children down to peer through the fence in the park to check out the progress of the construction). He also gave us a few safety hints and showed us his work gear which keeps him safe- steel capped boots, gloves, helmet, safety vest. We now know that the construction will continue on for at least 2 more years. After meeting Chris, we thought we would keep up correspondence and send him some pictures of the cranes and the future buildings. We refer to our drawings as the work of “architects”, who plan and design for buildings to be built. 
 
You may have also noticed the “Melbourne Rd Hair Salon” (title copy-write of Olivia pty ltd.) within our dramatic play area. Many stylists have enjoyed honing their skills by practicing on friends, family and teachers. These young apprentices certainly have a successful career ahead in the hairdressing industry, should they choose that path. The accuracy and knowledge in the portrayal of the client/stylist are making for some fantastic (and entertaining) interactions!
 
We are all enjoying hearing about the children’s early experiences of school visits and orientations during this exciting time of transition. Beginning school is an important milestone in life, and we like to take the time to discuss with each child their own feelings about their school. I have left a copy of Kathy Walker’s short book “Ready, set, Go” on the sign in desk. - a short book to help parents in preparing for and managing the transition to school.  You are most welcome to have a peruse or borrow it for a day or two (please let me know first).

Extended Hours Educators,
Laura, Tracey, Helen, and Fiona