Early Learning
An eye-catching, contemporary building, opened in 2011, is home to the Founders Centre for Early Learning, specifically designed for students from Kindergarten to Year 2. Generous teaching areas and a variety of outdoor playgrounds promote imagination, inquiry, social interaction and the development of motor skills. Children feel challenged and stimulated yet safe and secure, and small class sizes allow a nurturing, personal approach to teaching and learning.
Kindergarten and Preparatory are both located in carefully restored heritage-listed houses, giving them a cosy, domestic feel. A modern light-filled building is attached, housing Years 1 and 2 classes plus rooms for music, art and drama, and a large multi-purpose space with facilities for cooking. A fruit and vegetable garden teaches children about sustainability and is harvested for various purposes. An Out of School Hours Care Centre also operates here after school and during vacation times. Facilities and equipment are designed and scaled for the needs of young people.
The early years programme draws on elements of the Reggio Emilia philosophy of northern Italy, focusing on learning through experiencing, exploring and interacting, as well as activities that encourage curiosity and problem-solving. Classes focus on building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy using intentional teaching in combination with play-based learning.
The girls learn from specialist teachers in Music, Physical Education, Art, Indonesian, Library and Dance/Drama. Learning Support and Enrichment specialist teachers in Mathematics and English assist classroom teachers to provide differentiated programmes to cater for the diverse learning needs and styles of students. iPads, iPods and notebooks are also available and incorporated into activities.
Small class sizes allow a nurturing, personal approach to teaching and learning, and mean our teachers know their students and families well.
Girls are accepted into Kindergarten in the year in which they turn four by 30 June, and can attend five full days per week or fortnight from 8.30am to 3.00pm. Girls from Preparatory to Year 2 attend school for five full days per week.
