Orientation and transition
A lot of planning and preparation goes into developing a successful Orientation Program where the focus is to create a smooth transition from either home to school, Three-Year-Old to Pre-Prep and from Pre-Prep to Prep.
Each of the sessions allow relationships to be built, and familiarity of a new space to be made. Establishing connections between the students and teachers is paramount to laying the foundations of teaching and learning.
Relationships with the new teachers occur before the official transition date, with the Prep teachers popping down to the ELC and the Pre-Prep educators popping into the Early Learners room. To increase familiarity with the new students we also send them a video of their teachers and write letters introducing the new space.
This year we reflected upon our Orientation Program into the Three-Year-old class. For many this is the first time these children have been in a school-like setting and it can often be the first time they have left their parents. We decided to develop a play group style orientation where there was ample opportunity to spend time in the ELC space with their most trusted adult member of their family.
For the Pre-Preps their formal transition to the school Orientation Program takes place throughout Term 4. This has already begun for many of our students, and there is so much excitement about starting the ‘big school’. They often come back after their first transition session, sharing great stories about who their new teacher is going to be, what clothing they will wear, how fast their new shoes are, and how ‘cool’ the new playground was.
You definitely get a sense of readiness for the next step in their education.
Claire Trappitt | Pre-Prep A Teacher
