Preparatory School Leadership

Our focus in the early education years is in gradually broadening the concept of 'oneself', to include the role we play as individual members of a family, school and wider community. Perception of a positive self image is fundamental as children begin to consider their rights and obligations. Students are provided opportunities to investigate their relationships and their immediate experiences. Emphasis is given to the development of social skills of inquiry, decision making and working with others.

As part of their learning environment, the students participate in school routines and activities, and develop and practice rules of classroom interaction. They are encouraged to show respect for rules, for others and appreciate difference.

As part of their investigations, they practice group discussion and decision making, and learn how to monitor the operation of groups (collaborative learning).

The teaching of values and social skills, conflict recognition and resolution is integrated in all aspects of the curriculum.

From Pre-Primary, the children engage in fortnightly 'class meetings'. In Years 1 and 2, election of a Class Representative is conducted each semester. The Class Representative becomes a member of the Student Representative Council (SRC), which has student membership from Years 1 to 6.

Aspects of political literacy covered include learning of meeting format and structure. The students are exposed to, and use, a meeting agenda from Pre-Primary and experience forms of minute taking from Year 1 onwards.

Children are encouraged to become independent and responsible workers and class members from Kindergarten. This is reinforced and achieved in many ways, such as, through an awareness and following of rules and routines, the opportunity to reflect on choices by considering alternatives and consequences, and their growing ability to perform various tasks as part of their experience.