Wyvern House Early Learning Centre opens Newington has welcomed its youngest students ever. These little boys and girls are an historic group—the first to attend our new, purpose-built Early Learning Centre. It started as a simple idea more than 10 years ago: what if parents who had boys at Newington’s Wyvern campus had access to an early learning centre for their younger children? Just as importantly, what if Newington could help serve the need for early childhood education in Sydney’s inner west? And what if, in the process, the school could create a facility that provided support for staff with young children ready to embark on their path of learning? On 2 February 2018, that idea came to fruition when the Newington Early Learning Centre opened the doors of its beautiful new building in Cambridge Street, Stanmore, just a few steps from the Wyvern Prep campus. Miss Malia Puna and the Possum class. Photo: Richard Wearne Newington’s ELC caters for three- and ‘The ELC has been designed to allow the children’s four-year-old boys and girls. It has capacity for 60 children and was creativity to come through’ designed with early learning experts to incorporate educational play areas, hoppers, all of them in different stages creativity to come through. Creativity quiet zones and outdoor spaces to of their life cycle. isn’t something you can force: it’s excite inquisitive minds. At the official opening of the Newington something that has to come from within It embraces the Reggio Emilia philosophy, ELC on 20 March 2018, Newington’s the children.” providing a well-balanced program of Headmaster Dr David Mulford said the Guests at the opening were entertained explicit teaching and child-led key word in “early learning centre” was by the Wyvern Choir, who—appropriately investigation. The aim is to ignite “learning”. —sang the song “Pure Imagination” curiosity and extend each child’s unique “We want a place that draws out from the classic children’s film Willy and genuine interests and wonders. creativity, learning and imagination,” he Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. A favourite feature with the children is a said. “The ELC has been designed with Minister for Early Childhood Education, bug enclosure that houses a live praying simple and elegant lines and great Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and mantis, crickets, caterpillars and grass spaces that allow the children’s Assistant Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell performed the official opening, and told the gathered crowd early learning centres were a critical part of both the educational and social development of young children. “Before I came here today, I asked my four-year-old daughter to tell me two things she had learnt at her early learning centre in Gunnedah,” she said. “She told me she had learnt how to count to 10 in French, and that you always have to be kind. That sums up what makes ELCs important.” The Director of the Newington ELC is Ms Kelly Nickless, who has a career of more than 20 years in early childhood education. Mrs Melissa Lynch and Jamison Connell. Photo: Richard Wearne She leads a highly skilled team of 10. OPPORTUNITY| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| 39