KINDY HANDBOOK 2026
INTRODUCTION AIMS OF THE KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
At Corpus Christi College, we value the principles of Courage, Commitment and Compassion in our Kindergarten program, recognising that these foundational elements foster a strong sense of community while celebrating each child’s individuality.
The aim of our Kindergarten Program is to foster a deep love of learning through engaging, playbased activities that nurture the whole child. We believe that play is a vital avenue for exploration and discovery, allowing children to develop social skills as they interact with their peers, build relationships and learn the value of cooperation and empathy.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support emotional development, helping children identify and express their feelings in a safe and encouraging environment.
Cognitively, we introduce foundational concepts in literacy, numeracy and critical thinking through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and inspire creativity.
Additionally, our program emphasises physical development through active play, fine motor skill activities and movement exercises, ensuring that children grow strong and healthy.
By creating a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere, we aim to empower each child to reach their full potential, laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of learning.
THE AIMS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ARE:
To assist each child to develop a positive sense of self and to develop morally and spiritually.
To engage in positive partnerships with families.
To encourage each child to develop an enthusiasm and love of learning.
To develop social skills and appropriate emotional responses.
To help each child develop fine and gross motor skills which will help establish pre-writing skills (through such activities as craft, painting, drawing, writing, cutting, play and dance).
To promote learning through play and other experiences to develop cognitive understandings and to encourage imagination.
To develop oral language skills in everyday contexts as well as pre-reading.
KINDY TEACHERS
NURTURING
YOUNG MINDS WITH CARE
Our Kindergarten team are dedicated and passionate educators who create a warm and nurturing environment for our young learners. Each teacher brings unique talents and a wealth of experience, fostering creativity, curiosity and a love for learning.
We work collaboratively to design engaging activities that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that every child feels valued and supported. With a focus on building strong relationships, our team encourages open communication with families, creating a community where children can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
Together, we inspire our students to explore, discover, and grow, setting a strong foundation for their future education.
CLASS INFORMATION
SCHOOL TERM DATES
Dates are subject to change and there will be some Pupil Free Days planned for Staff Development Days. These will be advertised on the Corpus Christi College website calendar: www.corpus.wa.edu.au/calendar
GROUP SESSION TIMING
Kindergaten is split into two classrooms:
• Kindy Blue
• Kindy Green
MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY
8.35AM - 2.55PM
8.35AM Doors Open & Day Starts
ADMIN INFORMATION
STAY INFORMED & ENGAGED
REPORTING ABSENCES AND LATE ARRIVALS
Please report all absentees to the Junior School Administration and your child’s classroom teacher. Long Term absentees must be made in writing to the Principal.
• Email classroom teacher and Junior School Administration: absentee@corpus.wa.edu.au
• Or access the website online absentee register or via the app.
Please ensure all emails and notes are dated and include your child’s full name, class and reason for absence. All student attendances must accompany notification from parents for legal requirements.
STUDENTS ARRIVING LATE AND EARLY DEPARTURES PROCEDURES
An authorisation slip is required from the Junior School Administration prior to sending or collecting your child:
• Sign In — arriving late or returning to school
• Sign Out — leaving school grounds
Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds during school hours without written consent from parents.
Students must be accompanied to the office for late arrivals.
MEDICATION
Any medication that your child requires due to allergies or other, needs to be signed in at the Junior School front Administration Office. For example: EpiPens, Asthma Puffers/Inhalers etc. Please keep School Administration and classroom teachers informed of any changes.
ILLNESS
We encourage children to attend Kindergarten on a regular basis. In consideration of the health and wellbeing of other children and staff, we request unwell children be kept home. In the case of infectious diseases, please notify the teacher and keep the child home for the length of time specified by the doctor. Trust your own instincts and knowledge of your child if he/she is tired. Do not hesitate to keep them
at home if it is best for them. If your child is going to be absent, please email the teacher and office or access the Corpus Christi College website online absentee register.
COMMUNICATION
The College communicates with parents using a variety of ways:
• College Calendar contains all events and relevant information.
• SEQTA, account set-up link will be forwarded Week 1, Term 1.
• Our fortnightly E-Newsletter is released on the Corpus Christi College website, with a link sent via email.
• Junior School families will also have access to Seesaw. More details on page 21.
If your contact details change, please inform the Junior School Administration so updates can be made.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEW
If parents wish to discuss the progress of their child, an appointment should be made with the teacher. We encourage parents to keep in touch on matters concerning your child’s health, emotional and family situations, so that the teacher understands any problems that may be affecting the child. To avoid distraction, children should not be present at these interviews.
FAMILY UPDATES
Please notify Junior School Administration and Enrolments team (studentservices@corpus.wa.edu.au) of any changes to details, such as address, telephone number, emergency contact numbers and any relevant medical information.
FRIENDS OF CORPUS
We encourage and welcome Kindy parents/guardians to participate, as their involvement benefits both their child and the school community.
Meetings are held once a Term and will be announced in the College E-Newsletter and calendar. www.corpus.wa.edu.au/friends-of-corpus
CLASSROOM CONNECTORS
Each classroom has a designated Parent Representative who acts as a Classroom Connector. This role helps foster a sense of belonging and community among families by encouraging engagement and connection within the class group. Classroom Connectors work closely with the Friends of Corpus Committee, supporting College events and initiatives while helping to strengthen relationships between parents, staff, and students.
CLOTHES, FOOD, SOCIALS & ROSTERS DAILY ROUTINE
DROP OFF & PICK UP
8.35AM - 2.55PM
Parents are welcome into class to complete a quiet activity with their child. When the bell rings the ‘Pack away time’ encourages your child to return their activity (puzzle or book) to the shelf and to sit on the mat as parents leave the class.
When it is time to collect your child, please wait outside the gate until it is opened by a member of staff. The children will be instructed to wait on the mat until one of the Kindy staff call their name. We do this for the safety of the children. Please phone the school and let us know if you will be late. For your child’s safety, we are not authorised to let your child leave with a sibling and we will not release your child to any other adult without parental consent. If someone else is collecting your child, please write it in the diary located at the door of the Kindy and inform a member of staff.
FOOD
RECESS: Please provide a healthy snack. We ask that you pack fruit, cheese and/or crackers. If your child has their fruit sliced at home please do the same for Kindy.
LUNCH: Please provide a packed lunch for every Kindy session. To ensure the children develop good eating habits please provide healthy, nutritious foods (NO PEANUT OR OTHER NUT PRODUCTS PLEASE) Please let staff know immediately if your child has or develops any allergies.
UNIFORM
Kindergarten to Year 12 students are required to wear a uniform. To view the full Kindy range please visit the College uniform website page.
A change of clothes and underwear need to be brought to every session (in case of an accident, due to either toileting or water play). They will stay in their bag unless needed.
JEWELLERY
The Corpus Christi College Uniform Procedures permits children with pierced ears to wear earring studs. No other type of jewellery is permitted.
SUN SMART KIDS
We encourage the children to be ‘Sun Smart’ at Corpus Christi College.
There is a NO HAT, NO PLAY policy. Please ensure that your child has a hat in their bag which provides adequate sun protection and wears sunscreen for each session.
To encourage the children to take responsibility for their sun protection, please bring a labelled roll-on sunscreen to Kindy. This will be kept in your child’s bag. Please ensure you have applied sunscreen to your child before the start of the Kindy session. We will assist the children to re-apply throughout the day when required.
SHARING KNOWLEDGE
We welcome parents willing to share their work, interests or hobbies with the children. Some ideas include playing a musical instrument, cooking, or community work (police, fire fighter or vet). Please inform the Kindy staff if you are interested in participating.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please do not upload photographs of Kindy children onto social media sites. The privacy of our families is of utmost importance.
Our Social Media handles are listed below:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ corpuschristicollegewa
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ corpuschristicollegewa
• Corpus Christi College App: www.corpus.wa.edu. au/corpus-connect-app
FAITH FORMATION
The College presents a liturgical occasion for the children and community. Families are most welcome to attend. Dates and times appear on the website calendar.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ROSTER
We acknowledge that you, the parents, are the primary educators of your child and play a vital part in your child’s education. We value parent involvement and parents are always welcome to sign up on parent roster. A parent help roster will be displayed on the noticeboard each Term.
While on roster, a parent’s duties include:
• Join in the activities with the children.
• Model speaking, listening, reading and writing for the children.
• Help the children get the most from their learning experiences by listening, talking, questioning and encouraging.
• Assist with outdoor activities and packing away indoor and outdoor equipment.
• Assist the staff by carrying out domestic tasks such as cleaning up, glue, paint, cooking, etc.
• Supervise children while they work.
Please note, due to the privacy of all children we ask you not to photograph or video in Kindergarten.
Unfortunately, babies and toddlers are unable to accompany parents whilst they are on roster.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are a special occasion, to help celebrate your child’s birthday, parents are encouraged to roster themselves on that particular day.
Please speak with the Teacher before baking to discuss allergies.
(NO PEANUT OR OTHER NUT INGREDIENTS PLEASE).
ROSTERS
FIRST DAY AT KINDY
DAILY ROUTINE
• Place your bag on the hook.
• Please report all absentees to the office and your child’s classroom teacher. Long term absentees must be made in writing to the Principal.
• Take your child to their tray and show them where to put their bag.
• When the door opens, come inside and help your child put their name badge on.
• Sit down on the mat and do a puzzle or read a book with your child.
• When the bell rings, please pack up the puzzle or pop the book away. Sit your child on the mat in front of the teacher’s chair and say goodbye.
• It is best to leave promptly after saying goodbye, because this gives your child the impression that you are confident and trusting of the Kindy environment.
• If your child becomes upset, be calm, confident and reassure your child. Direct them to a staff member, say goodbye and then promptly leave.
• If your child is completely distressed, you are welcome to stay for a while until they feel more secure and an alternative longer term plan will be implemented.
• Establish positive pick up routines utilising open ended questions about their day. For example: what was your favourite activity at Kindy today?
• Parents are required to pick their children up from the classroom door at the end of the session. No child will be allowed to leave the classroom unless accompanied by an adult. If your child is being picked up by Day Care or another adult, please provide written authorisation with your signed consent to the teacher.
We hope that your child thoroughly enjoys their Kindy experience. We look forward to sharing this special year with your family.
LEARNING JOURNEY
WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD IN KINDY
Supporting your child in Kindergarten can make a world of difference in their learning journey. It is essential for their development and confidence.
• Encourage your child to wait quietly for the gate to open, so they come in calm and ready to start the day.
• Encourage your child to be responsible for hanging up their bag and putting their note bag in their tray.
• Prompt your child to say ‘good morning’ to the teachers.
• Encourage them to concentrate on the task they are doing.
• Encourage them to share and take turns.
• Encourage verbal interaction. Talk openly about their day and feelings to create a safe space for sharing.
• Help teach your child how to do up their shoes, put on socks, open and close containers, and operate zippers and buttons.
• Reading together daily fosters a love for books and supports literacy development.
• Creating a consistent routine at home helps them feel secure and understand the structure of the school day.
• Give them lots of opportunity to talk, cut, colour and solve problems.
Talk about the art activities they bring home:
• Parents receive a fortnightly update explaining the learning activities for the week, this is to help support parents in talking to children at home.
• Please remember that when your child brings home an art piece, that the process is often more important than the final outcome. Even if we don’t fully understand/ recognise what they’ve created, to them it represents something and holds meaning. Ask questions like:
• What colours did you use?
• How did you make it?
• What sound does it make?
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
FOSTERING A POSITIVE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
The teacher will create the conditions within the classroom to encourage children to bve ready to learn by:
1. Building positive relationships with peers and educators.
2. Establishing predictable routines.
3. Helping students to be active listeners.
4. Responding in ways that enhance positive feelings of self-worth in the children.
5. Establishing classroom responsibilities with the children.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Fostering a positive Environment
The teacher will create the conditions within the classroom to encourage children to be ready to learn:
• Building positive relationships with peers and educators.
• Establishing predictable routines.
• Helping children to become active listeners.
• Responding in ways that enhance positive feelings of self-worth in the children.
• Establishing classroom responsibilities with the children.
Corpus Christi has developed a Student Engagement Scale which will be referred to with students in an age appropriate manner during their time at the College. A key component to this process is collaboration between classroom teacher and parent.
We look forward to a very happy and rewarding year.
ACCESSING SEESAW
DISCOVER BEHIND THE SCENES OF KINDY
WHAT IS SEESAW
At Corpus Christi College, Seesaw serves as the primary learning platform for parents to stay connected with their children’s progress. Our dedicated Kindy teachers will share photos and updates throughout the school day, keeping you informed about activities and events.
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NOTES
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