Prep and Year 1

Students enter Prep and Year 1, full of enthusiasm and excited anticipation. Their time in Early Learning has nurtured self-belief and confidence, thirst for discovery and sense of achievement. As children move into a new learning community in an adjacent area of the campus their growing independence is fostered and they are guided and encouraged to take greater responsibility in all aspects of their school life.

Under the umbrella of the Scotch Oakburn Vision for Learning, The Reggio Emilia Research Project principles underpinning learning in Early Learning are gradually complemented by the broader Teaching for Understanding framework as Prep and Year 1 staff plan and implement specific learning programs based on the developmental stage of the students. Stimulating and challenging learning experiences that cater for individual curiosities, capabilities and creativity and incorporate the learning of critical literacy and numeracy skills provide the spark for a vibrant learning community. Teaching strategies are designed to build student understanding of key ideas and concepts and to guide young learners in learning how to learn. A culture of thinking and inquiry is explicitly developed as teachers and students explore the excitement of literacy and numeracy, developing skills and concepts which lead to independent reading, writing, spelling and mathematical communication.

Prep and Year 1 lead to a gradually widening range of learning experiences for every student. Library visits continue and music sessions increase. Twice weekly physical education sessions flow on from the Perceptual Motor Program of Early Learning, when body awareness and fundamental motor skills were developed and consolidated. During Term 1 of Prep, a water orientation program  familiarizes students with aquatic settings and water safety through a series of specifically designed activities. In Term 3, this is built upon with a Learn-to-Swim program. During Year 1, swimming lessons in the Scotch Oakburn pool are the focus of specific blocks of the physical education program.

Technology-rich classrooms and an E-learning café located within the immediate Prep/Year 1 learning setting. There is also ready access to other on-campus E-Learning studios and cafés. A Learning Technologies teacher supports students and class teachers in their use of technology. Learning development in visual art, movement and drama is further enhanced with access to specialist teachers in the Elphin Art Studio and Gallery and in Year 1 LOTE (Italian) is introduced.  A Learning Support teacher and classroom teacher-aides add to the staff team helping Prep and Year 1 students build sound foundations in their learning.

During the year Prep and Year 1 students follow up their Early Learning family day visit to the Valley Campus in the Fingal Valley with day trips led by the College’s Education Outdoors staff. Specific learning experiences capitalizing on the beauty, challenge and unique resources of ‘the valley’ focus on personal and environmental learning and build learning connections with natural, physical and social sciences investigations undertaken on and around the Elphin Campus.