From Miffy
Dear Families,
Welcome to the 2025 Autumn Education and Care Newsletter and my first as General Manager of Education and Care for Lady Gowrie Tasmania. I am delighted to introduce myself and share some exciting updates with you.
Having been a part of Lady Gowrie Tasmania for nearly nine years, I have had the privilege of working across various services in Southern Tasmania, including Long Day Care, Family Day Care and Outside School Hours Care. My journey in the education and care sector spans over two decades, beginning in Launceston before moving to Hobart. My career started with a traineeship through Lady Gowrie Tasmania Training while working at a small rural service in Launceston. Outside of work, I cherish time with my husband and our 11-year-old daughter.
I am grateful to step into this role and am eager to visit our services, engage with children, families, managers, educators, and support staff. Witnessing the exceptional programs offered in our services for children is truly inspiring.
My passion lies in fostering continuous improvement and learning. To provide the highest quality care and the best outcomes for children, we must remain committed to growth, extending our knowledge, and reflecting on our practices. It was heartwarming to attend the graduation ceremony last December, where many learners completed their formal studies. Notably, several Certificate III graduates have chosen to pursue their Diplomas this year, furthering their learning journey and enriching the knowledge they share with educators and children.
We have now successfully implemented the curriculum and planning model across all services. The curriculum statements created by our teams reflect our shared values and vision. Our Practice and Pedagogy Manager, along with Educational Leaders, have dedicated the past eight months to working with a pilot group of services to ensure the model supports all children’s learning and engagement. Educators document each child’s progress and group activities to enhance their roles and deepen their understanding of how children learn. This model empowers all educators to contribute to planning and learning, focusing on children’s strengths, ideas, knowledge, culture, abilities, and interests.
We aim to work in partnership with families and greatly value the information you share about your children. This collaboration helps us support their learning and needs during their time at Lady Gowrie Tasmania.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Practice and Pedagogy Manager Shannon Gall, Educational Leaders, Service Managers, and educators for their pivotal roles in making the planning model a visible and engaging part of our programs.
I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter which provides just a snapshot of the many exciting play and learning opportunities for children across our education and care services.
Miffy Wedd
GENERAL MANAGER EDUCATION AND CARE