Our kindergarten classrooms are creative, innovative spaces that promote a sense of belonging and provide students with opportunity to grow as early learners. Students from both classes come together at different parts of the day to participate in varied learning opportunities.
The First Day of School
The first day of kindergarten for 2024 will be announced closer to the end of the year. The students will be given an allocated time to arrive at kindergarten. This will allow for a calm drop off. If your child is feeling anxious about their first day some ideas to assist with this include: -Include a family photo in their bag -Read books such as The Kissing Hand and The Invisible String.
What to pack on the first day of kinder
Backpack School hat Lunch box or insulated bag- Recess and lunch Crunch and Sip in a separate container Spare underwear and socks in a labelled zip lock bag Drink bottle Bag tag
Ideas for helping your child to settle comfortably and confidently into school
Say goodbye confidently – saying a quick, confident goodbye may help them to feel secure and reassured that you trust that they will be okay at school.
Label your child’s belongings - labelling everything, including clothing, can help reduce anxiety for children. At school, children are responsible for their belongings and labels can help them with this.
Communicate with your child – take the time to talk to your child about how they are feeling about starting school and reassure them. In the afternoon ask your child about their day. This is a great way to build confidence, and to find out how they are feeling as they settle in.
Avoid overloading your child – when children begin school, they tire easily. It may be worth considering fewer extracurricular activities such as swimming, music or dance lessons until they adjust to their new routine.
The First Few Weeks of Kindergarten
The first few weeks of kindergarten is a time of transition and change. The children begin to develop an understanding of themselves as students. This is a big change and something that takes a little time to get used to. In 2024 the students will start their year listening to stories, participating in early literacy and numeracy activities and engaging in a variety of play activities.
Year 6 Buddies
During the first few weeks of kindergarten, the Year 6 buddies play an important role in the kindergarten transition process. The Year 6 students participate in many activities with their kinder buddies including, get to know you games, reading, playing and assisting during eating time. Having a year 6 buddy gives the kinder children an extra person at school that they can go to if they are worried or are feeling anxious.