Class Teacher                                                                     Teacher’s Aide

Mrs Cathy Saw – B A Edu Prim                                    Mrs Mary-Anne van der Laan

Welcome to Kindergarten!

At Cornerstone  Christian College we have two highly experienced teachers to run our Kindy program. They are Mrs Cathy Saw & Mrs Brenda Bindi.

Cathy Saw has been teaching for 22 years, and has spent the last 11 of those with us at Cornerstone. She is dedicated to the education of the youngest of students, and is known for her professionalism and creativity.

Cathy graduated from Edith  Cowan University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education. She is capably assisted by Mary-Anne van der Laan during class time.

Cathy is a passionate educator. She believes that Kindergarten is where it all starts! It’s a year of firsts and of learning the ropes during your child’s first experience of school. Kindy at Cornerstone is about providing a safe, stimulating learning environment for children to come and find out about themselves, others, their community and their world. It’s about learning how to be courageous and independent, how to play and work with others, how to make new friends and how to cut, paint, glue, build, draw, solve problems… the list is endless!

Brenda Bindi also has a long record of experience, both as a teacher, and with Cornerstone.  She has taught for 15 years, and has been with Cornerstone in a variety of capacities for 13 of those.  She holds a Diploma of Early Childhood Education, which she completed at what is now Curtin University.  Brenda is assisted by Lindi van Niekerk during class.

Brenda recalls hating Kindergarten as a child, and this has inspired her to make Kindy a memorable experience for her students for the right reasons.  She believes, as Cathy does, that Kindy needs to be a safe and loving environment, and strives to make learning as exciting and enjoyable as possible.

‘Kindergarten should encourage children to want to learn more about their world and their God.  I also want the children I teach to learn how to be a friend and to also make friends that will possibly last a lifetime’, she said.

Entry for Kindy is for children who are 4, or who turn 4 before June 30. If you are unsure of whether your child qualifies, please utilise the School Age Calculator which will help you determine the year of entry.

What days does Kindy operate?

The Kindergarten program currently consists of 2 full days. In 2012, this will increase with the addition of an extra day per fortnight.  For 2013, Kindergarten will be at the following times:

• Tuesday 8:45am – 3:15pm
• Thursday 8:45am – 3:15pm
• Monday 8:45am – 3:15pm on alternative weeks.

Or

• Wednesday 8:45am – 3:15pm
• Friday 8:45am – 3:15pm
• Monday 8:45am – 3:15pm on alternative weeks.

How does Kindy benefit my child?

The Kindergarten program provides initial learning experiences in:

• Language development
• Number Concepts
• Creative skills
• Social and physical growth

Using concrete experiences, students are given the building blocks for perceiving, thinking and problem solving. Educational experiences are planned to provide balance and variety among the spiritual, emotional, physical, mental and social activities as your  child’s world of awareness is extended from the home to the classroom.

It is a developmental program aimed at assisting your child to achieve and progress at a rate that is appropriate to them individually.

The program aims to foster enjoyment for learning and children’s natural curiosity is encouraged within a ’structured’ stable setting. A ‘play’ learning environment is where it all takes place.