Waterford Preschool was established by ³ÉÈË×ÛºÏÍø in 1994. This week we celebrated 25 years of quality early childhood and care with our local community, previous educators and families and specialists who have been involved in the preschool over the years. Our special guests included Graham Leddie, Dr Marjorie O’Neill (MP) and Gai Suttie the inaugural director.

The preschool, however has a long history in the community dating back to 1924 when the land was purchased by the Kindergarten Union as a training college. In 1968 the current preschool building was constructed for the use of the Sydney Kindergarten College and was used as a demonstration preschool for their students. In 1981 the College becomes The Institute of Early Studies and in 1990 the College moves to Macquarie University and becomes the Institute of early childhood. ³ÉÈË×ÛºÏÍø subsequently purchases the site and relocates their Junior School to the campus.

Helen Newman the Junior School Director at the time and Brother Wallace the Headmaster of ³ÉÈË×ÛºÏÍø were willing to continue the operation of the government-funded preschool that was operating on the site. Priority was given to College staff, making it one of the first providers of corporate child care and one of the first independent schools to have a preschool on site. The preschool was named Waterford in honour of Edmund Rice the founder of the Christian Brothers. In 1808 in Waterford Ireland he was aware of the poverty and needs of the children roaming the streets and established what is known as the first-ever creche.

The preschool continues to be a centre of excellence with a focus on quality early childhood education and Care. In 1996 we received a rating of from the NSW department of education as exceeding the National Quality Standards which we are very proud of. Our preschool program is driven by our philosophy which recognises the early childhood years as an important and critical stage of life and learning. Our program is child-centred and holistic, with an emphasis on developing positive dispositions to learning and towards others.

Our learning environment is dynamic, multifaceted and exceedingly nurturing. We are staffed by highly educated early childhood teachers and educators who all have the wellbeing of the children and their families at heart. The team is very committed to inclusion in all it’s forms and positively supports the families in their parenting journey. Waterford preschool is truly a community hub supporting learning, connections and wellbeing.

It has been an absolute privilege to lead and manage such a wonderful institution such as Waterford Preschool. Thank you to ³ÉÈË×ÛºÏÍø for your ongoing support.

PDHPE classes visit Waterford preschool sports day

Year 9 and 10 PDHPE classes assisted with the Waterford preschool sports day on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

The senior school PDHPE classes assisted the preschool students in various events such as the bean bag throw, long jump, basketball throw and captain ball. The senior school classes also participated in these events much to the enjoyment of the preschool students.

Research shows that children’s participation in physical activity leads to better student engagement, improved academic achievement during school years, and better outcomes in adult life.

Health and Physical Education (HPE) is one of the eight Learning Areas of the Australian School Curriculum. Some of the focus areas of the HPE curriculum include – fundamental movement skills, games and sports, mental health and wellbeing and understanding the health benefits of physical activity.

The PDHPE department recently recognised National Health and Physical Education Day on Wednesday 5 September. The Australian curriculum calls for students to receive health and physical education from the first year of schooling until year 10.

³ÉÈË×ÛºÏÍø strives to develop students who understand the value of physical activity in healthy and active lives.

This annual event celebrating reading, literacy and Australian authors, was hosted by the Senior Library and attended by children from the Waterford Pre-School.

The book selected this year by the Australian Library and Information Association was The Cow Tripped Over the Moon, by Tony Wilson and Laura Wood.

This fun picture book is a retelling of the classic, whereby the cow needs a number of attempts to make the moon-jump, and can’t do so without the encouragement and support of her friends.

Reading this year were Mr. Patrick Brennan and Ms. Elizabeth Watson. The event was also attended by a small contingent of Junior School students, Senior Library Monitors, parents of preschoolers and even some Senior boys.

Special thanks to Damien Lin, Year 11, for accompanying the session with ‘fiddle’ renditions of nursery rhymes that the children loved!

Year 7 students Patrick Hoggett and Cooper O’Donnell recalled their memories of starting their first day at school for the enraptured preschool audience. Head of College, Mr Ray Paxton, dropped by for a chat with the group, who were very excited to inform him of what schools they were going to be attending.

For anyone with a child or sibling about to start school, the Library has compiled a bibliography of excellent resources on the topic. If you would like a copy of the PDF, please email librarystaff@waverley.nsw.edu.au

• An outstanding preschool
• All the news from the Junior School
• Changes to Reception opening hours
• John ‘The Hammer’ Hammond and the 1st XV
• Men’s Health Week June 13-19

• From the Head of College – Our Lady Help of Christians
• Da Vinci Decathlon Reports from Junior and Senior School
• Year 8 Drama Opportunities
• Music – Latest Studio Concert

• A special feature on the 2015 House Social Justice Projects
• An update on our pursuit of best practice in teaching
• The benefits of table tennis
• Social Justice news – from Street Retreat and White Ribbon Day to Old Boys in Kolkata
• Learning about staging in Entertainment
• Year 10 Camp – they made it!

…and much more.