Team Work

This week, we tried a small group investigation activity to enhance the children’s concept of shape. The children were divided into three groups and were given a set of blocks to work with. Each group had a leader who initiated the conversations and made decisions about the outcome. The children really found the task challenging and hard. The children needed lots of remainders to keep them on track during this task. It was hard for the children to really go ahead with this group activity. We all sat on the mat and then explored different aspects of this group task in terms of what went well and what was challenging for them.

Next time, when we did the same activity,  the children were more comfortable and really worked hard to finish this group task. This activity gave each child a wonderful opportunity to work with a large group of children with different strengths. It also reinforced his/her team spirit and social skills (Contribution).

Olympic ceremony in the four year old's room

The children were very fortunate to participate in the “Olympic Day” that happened in the morning. The children marched around with the Olympic flags, they made to the beat of the New Zealand National anthem. After that the children were put into three groups for playing high jump, running race and overthrow. They had awesome fun and demonstrated team spirit during these games. They were very proud when we recognised their efforts by presenting them with the medals in front of the whole class. This activity enhanced their self-esteem and they are confident to participate without any risk of failure (Well-Being).

Kids@Play Photography

During the period 20 - 25 September, we have Donna from Kids@Play Photography coming to photograph the children.  Donna has been coming to the centre for approximately 9 years now and she is very professional in what she does.  She takes very natural photos of the children at play throughout the day.  Once she has edited them, they will be available for purchase.  If you do not want your child photographed by Donna, please let us know prior to her coming.  More notices will be displayed around the centre soon.  If you have any queries at all about this, please see Shona or Mona at reception.

Daffodil Day

We are pleased to tell you that Bayfield (as a whole centre) raised $ 216.90 for the Cancer Society.  Thanks to everyone who made the effort on the day with all the yellow outfits and the generous donations for our coin trails and daffodils at reception.

Baking in the four year old room

One of the most wonderful things the children can learn from baking is how to experiment, just by taking our creative cooking licence and letting go.

There is nothing quite like throwing all sorts of ingredients together and seeing what happens. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - it's all about learning through discovery. This way we create our own way of doing things, even if it's not exactly how it should be (Exploration).

By far the best thing about baking is how it brings people together, to make and to eat. Eating together is an opportunity to discuss what we are doing in our lives, to share what we're interested in and have a good old laugh ( Belonging).

obstacle course

It turned out to be a great obstacle course when the four year olds were chose to help in settling up the playground. They have used steppers, cones, hoops, boxes, balls etc., to build their own obstacle course and trailed it out. It was an amazing moment for them to listen to each other and coming up with solutions.

Olympic Games project in the four year old room

This morning, Bella excitedly shared about the Olympic ceremony she just watched on T.V. Arabella came along with her mum. Arabella’s mum told us that Arabella enjoyed watching Gymnastics. It is evident that some of the children are really interested in the Olympic Games that are happening.

We would like to extend the children’s interest

·        By reading them stories from the newspapers.

·       Making the Olympic flag.

·       Celebrating the NZ victory.

·       Making the medals and having Sports event.

A few dates to mark on your calendar

Father's Day - Wednesday, 29th August
Kids @ Play Photography - 20, 21, 24 & 25 September
Children's Christmas Party - Friday 14th December
Bayfield Closes for Christmas Break - Friday, 21st December
Bayfield Re-opens for 2013 - Monday, 14th January 

Staff updates in Preschool

27th July 2012



Update on preschool teaching staff
Jo Sietu (who has worked at Bayfield for the past 11 years) has been appointed as the 7th teacher in our preschool team. Jo will be working in the 3 year old room with Catherine and Vanessa. Congratulations Jo!


At the same time Earl has just qualified and gained his degree in Early Childhood. Congratulations Earl! We are just waiting on his application to teachers’ council for his registration status.

So, to recap our preschool teachers are:


Molly Sietu - Head Teacher
Erin Knight - Assistant Head Teacher (4 year old teacher)
Rachel Ravoori (4 year old teacher)
Earl Edgar (4 year old teacher)
Vanessa Dong (3 year old teacher)
Jo Sietu (3 year old teacher)
Catherine Powell (3 year old teacher)

Our full teaching staff!


Kind regards


Shona Hewitt

New Phone System At Bayfield

We have recently changed our broadband provider and our telecommunications system and we now have a new phone system.  
If you call during the day and no-one is at reception to get your call, it will ring 6 to 7 times and then you will be prompted to select a room from your keypad.  This way you can be directed straight away to the room of your choice.  Some parents have informed us they have hung up after getting the answer phone message not realising this.

Please don't do this.  Hold the line and select a room.  It will be: 

1 for Nursery
2 for Toddlers
3 for Preschool
(There is an option to select 4 if you wish to leave a message).

This should make communication directly with your child's room much more direct.  Any questions, please see Shona.