Our Prep students are actively engaged in the development of the 4C’s – Critical thinking, Collaboration, Communication and Creativity, the foundational skills needed to navigate the modern world. Children have astonishing capability and talents and our challenge is to meet the Australian Curriculum educational expectations while at the same time encouraging a high level of creativity and independence. The Lakes College has found the balance between these two and continues to carry out research in the area of Early Learning pedagogy to ensure we are equipping our students with the skills they need for future success.
Our Prep year provides a learning environment with exciting things to do, see, touch and experience. Your child will find friends to share with and teachers who respect them as capable and competent learners. We aim to create a relaxed, secure and supportive environment where children are encouraged to investigate, explore and achieve their individual potential.
Specialist Lessons
The play and project-based holistic pedagogy provides a unique balance between children being active participants in their learning and explicit instruction. Through this crucial year of schooling, the foundations are laid for all future learning.
Our Prep students participate in a variety of specialist lessons including:
- RE
- Mandarin Chinese
- Music
- Physical Education including swimming
- Visual Art
Each of these specialist lessons are taught by dedicated teachers, committed to their specialty area.
In a safe and secure environment, the Prep classroom teachers and dedicated teaching assistants focus on the development of:
- Early literacy and numeracy skills
- Thinking and problem solving skills
- Social and emotional skills
- Independence and
- A Positive approach to learning
Our Prep students are important members of our College community, attending weekly Chapel Services and Primary assemblies and participating in all major sports carnivals and College events.
What should I do to get my child ready for Prep?
The year before formal schooling commences is a time for your child to become school ready however this must be done with gentle encouragement at their own pace. Some suggestions to assist your child become school ready are listed below.
- Encourage your child to put his/her own shoes and socks on
- Encourage your child to open his/her own packets of food, wrappings, containers, lunchboxes and drink bottles
- Demonstrate safe playground play
- Establish expectations for putting away possessions and toys after using them
- Play some games with your child which will increase the visual recognition of your child’s printed name
- Encourage independence by insisting your child carry his/her own bag
- Promote personal hygiene by ensuring your child knows how and when to use a tissue or handkerchief and how to use the toilet appropriately including washing hands
Prep Orientation
To ensure a positive start to your child’s learning journey here at The Lakes College, a Prep orientation session will be held in November for students who are commencing Prep the following year. This will provide students with the opportunity to meet new friends, spend some time in a Prep classroom and become a little more familiar with the College. During this Orientation session, parents are invited to learn more about the College by attending an information session held by our Head of Primary.
The Prep Handbook is provided before school begins with detailed information and handy hints for the first few weeks at school. A Parent Information Session is held at the beginning of Term 1 for parents and carers that outlines more detailed information and allows an opportunity to ask questions.