La Casa Dei Bambini

Coordinator's End of Term Email Broadcast

7 April 2006

Dear Members

As we near the end of term, I'd like to greet you in my new role as playgroup Coordinator.

Jemma (Monday), the outgoing Coordinator, started with LCDB at the same time I ended my stint as Monday Session Leader in 2004. Working with Jemma over the last few months, I have seen the amazing energy she has brought to the role and the playgroup. I continue to appreciate her patience dealing with my numerous requests through the handover period. On behalf of all of us, I thank her for helping La Casa Dei Bambini. You've done a great job Jemma!

While I didn't want the 'Coordinator Wanted' sign to go unanswered for too long, I have been mentally preparing myself for this role for the last two years. The playgroup has been good to me and my children, and it is my privilege to be able to contribute what little I can. Of course I myself have joked about the amount of time Montessori demands of parents, but we should appraise what it has in store for our children. It is not too much to ask, and I urge all parents to continue to volunteer time for the committee and the weekly sessions.

The direction I am steering the playgroup in the next year will see some interesting changes that add a positive dimension to our activities. Firstly I see the playgroup as an opportunity for parents to explore the Montessori environment. Anyone can of course take LCDB for being just a structured well-equipped playgroup. But for those of us who see children being nurtured by the Montessori Environment, the playgroup will offer more ways in which to familiarize yourself with the Montessori method.

You can anticipate a more structured approach with key Montessori themes. You will see this happening with the 'Thought of the Week' and articles appearing in our newsletter.

I also plan to get more contact between our members and parents or children already in Montessori schools. In a way, this will help all of us see how the jobs we do at LCDB relate directly to a solid and profound educational structure you might find at a school like Beehive.

One event that I have yet to solidify is the Children's First Aid course for Term Two. I am finalising details of this event with Fiona Gauntlett, our former Treasurer and an active parent in Beehive. Fiona and I are looking towards having a joint event with Beehive parents. This will help us get minimum numbers and perhaps create an option to have more than one session for our members (so that both parents can attend). Above all, this is a wonderful way to have some of our old members joining us again at LCDB.

Aside from what to expect, there have already been additional pages added to our website http://www.lcdb.org. If you haven't been there, you'll find pages for 'First Timers' and an online newsletter expertly done by News and PR Edith Cox (Wednesday). For your information, we should be happy to note that our website ranks on the first page of Google for certain key phrases like 'Montessori Playgroup Perth.' It is a benefit to have such exposure, for such little cost.

As your coordinator I want to be accessible and accountable to your needs. Please help me do my job by giving me as much feedback as you can. Both positive and negative feedback! Feel free to email coordinator@lcdb.org or call my home at 6389-1020.

I end off again thanking people for their contributions to our playgroup. Outgoing Treasurer Emma Egglesten (Thursday), and former Enrolments Officer Yoong Low (Wednesday) have significantly helped the playgroup in the last few terms. In their place, I'd like to welcome Giudith Roberts (Thursday) who I think will be a fantastic Enrolments Officer, and Nancy Hourani (Wednesday) who will be the new Treasurer. For your information, Nancy was with our playgroup when it was still located in North Fremantle, and we're glad to have her back with us.

For those of you who will not be returning to LCDB for the next term, I sincerely hope that your stay with us was enjoyable. On behalf of all our parents, I bid you good luck. Perhaps stop by sometime and pay us a visit?

Enjoy the upcoming Easter weekend.

Regards,

Colin