Pre-preppies are getting a taste of “big school” at Wallangarra as a six-week prep orientation program eases the way of seven new enrolees towards the official start of their school life next January.
Under the care of Prep/1/2 teacher Nikki Hilton and her band of teacher aides, together with some of the “big kids” who will be school leaders next year, the youngsters are enjoying a stimulating range of play and craft activities.
“They can come for only part of the day but all seven have opted to spend the full school day with us, which is great,” Mrs Hilton said.
Each of the orientation days, held on Tuesdays, begins with a parents’ forum where Mrs Hilton shares tips for easing the children’s’ transition to school. The forum covers getting the child ready for Prep, preparations that can be done at home; and expectations of both child and parent.
Meanwhile the children spend the first session of the day together as a group before combining with this year’s Preppies for the middle session and joining in the combined Prep/1/2 class for the remainder of the day.
“It helps them to become familiar with the new surroundings so that they feel comfortable in the space they’ll be in,” Mrs Hilton said.
“When they come in on day one next year, the groundwork will have been done and they’ll hit the ground running.”
While there have been the expected separation anxiety issues, these are rapidly diminishing as the weeks progress and the children are settling quickly into activities, according to Mrs Hilton.
“Everyone’s just loving it, and the Year 6s that are helping out are a valuable part of the program. They enhance the Pre-preppies’ sense of belonging and the big kids will be familiar faces to them next year. In fact all the students are taking the little ones under their wing and looking after them during break times.”
While several families living elsewhere take advan-tage of the nearby childcare facility and its school shuttle bus to attend Wallangarra, Amber Braund’s family has recently moved to the town and mum Vicki thinks the Prep orientation is a great idea.
“It’s good to have the kids get used to the school and the staff, so it’s not a shock on day one,” Mrs Braund said.
“The facilities are good and the school caters for everybody.”
Amber’s future classmate Nicole Donnelly is more familiar with the school, as she gets set to follow in the footsteps of big brothers Zac and Harry. Her mother, Leone Thorne, said Nicole can’t wait to start.
“It’s a lovely little school and the boys have always been happy there,” she said.
