A Big Hooty Hello, my dear friends,
Hi, it’s Miss Honey & Miss Rosie Owl!
Today was our first day back at work, and we are feeling refreshed, hopeful, and ready for the new year ahead. Early this morning, Miss Rosie Owl, Miss Wombat, Miss Emu, and I gathered beneath the shady Manna Gum tree to talk through our plans.
“How will we set up the room and the yard?” we wondered.
“What resources need repairing or replacing?”
“Do we have all the children’s enrolment information ready to go?”
The weather was stifling hot, so we decided today would be best spent setting up the indoor spaces and completing the paperwork that needs our careful attention. Tomorrow, when the weather cools, we’ll turn our focus to the outdoor yard.
“A home corner dramatic play space is always a lovely way to start the year,” I suggested. “It helps children feel connected to their home life and school.”
“An art and craft table, drawing area, and sensory exploration space will give children plenty of opportunities to explore and develop their ideas,” added Miss Rosie Owl.
“A quiet space with books and fidget toys is important too,” Miss Wombat exclaimed. “It gives children somewhere calm to relax and reset.”
“Blocks and building materials are my favourite creative tools for children,” said Miss Emu. “And of course, I can’t wait to set up our outdoor space tomorrow!”
“Yes,” Miss Wombat said excitedly, “our garden needs replanting, and we can talk with the children about what we might grow once they arrive.”
As we planned, we kept one important goal at the heart of every decision: creating an environment that feels welcoming, inclusive, and safe. Where every child feels a true sense of belonging.
Before we finished, I gently reminded everyone, “We also need to complete our Mandatory Reporting training and review our QIP, Risk Management Plan, and RAP. I will take some time to review our training schedules and begin planning the year’s professional development for our team, making sure everything is up to date and ready for the year ahead.”
“I also have some exciting news!” I shared. “Over the holidays, I created an educators’ diary where we can keep our planning notes and reflections together. It will give us a shared place to write down our ideas, so that we will be able to bring them along to discuss at our staff meetings.”
It’s going to be a busy start, but a meaningful one.
Good luck to all our returning educators—we wish you a wonderful beginning to the year.
Until we write again,
Stay curious, have fun, and be kind.
With a happy hoot,
💛 Miss Honey & Miss Rosie Owl
P.S As we finish setting up our bush school room we are thinking about all the little learners who will soon walk through the door.
Those first moments matter. A calm, thoughtful space helps children feel safe, seen, and ready to belong.
That’s exactly why we created The Hoot Hoot Way, to support educators in building classrooms that feel gentle, grounded, and connected from the very start. The book and accompanying lesson plans are designed to sit easily within your day, offering practical, ready-to-use tools for nurturing kindness, safety, emotional understanding, and calm transitions.
If you’re setting up your room or welcoming new children soon, we would love for The Hoot Hoot Way to be part of your space:
👉 Purchase the Hoot Hoot Way book
👉 Explore the Hoot Hoot Way lesson plans
👉 Join our community and receive Miss Owl’s Mail
Many educators use the book during circle time, quiet moments, or as a gentle anchor throughout the week.
Thank you for the care you bring to your classrooms each day. It’s a joy to support the work you do.
Don’t forget to download your FREE summer colouring in FUN available from our shop!
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