At the beginning of the school year, all Prep children are required to complete the Maths and English Online Interviews. This is a requirement of the Department of Education and Training (DET) which provides baseline data about the student ability upon school entry. Importantly, the data from these interviews enables us to teach to your child’s individual needs.

A one hour time slot is allocated to your child during their Wednesday rest day where they are expected to attend their interview with a Prep teacher or during class time. We really look forward to spending this hour with your child as it is a valuable opportunity to get to know them one on one. These interviews are a non-threatening and enjoyable experience for your child.

Please ensure that your child arrives five minutes before their interview (in the Prep Learning Centre) before their interview time and that they are picked up promptly as interviews are scheduled back to back. Results will then be discussed with you during scheduled Parent Teacher Interviews.

Magic Words

Magic Words will be sent home. We would appreciate your assistance by helping your child learn the ‘Magic 100 Words’ by reading through the appropriate list together each day or using the helpful ideas for learning the words that will be sent home. The children should find learning these words enjoyable and fun and we stress that every child will show interest at different times and will learn them at their own pace. The Prep Team will integrate and reinforce these words through games, reading and literacy activities in the classroom.

The Prep Team will hear your child read their words and once they can confidently and independently recognise and read them, they will be given a certificate. Your child will then be asked to begin learning the next set of Magic Words. It is important that only concentrate on one colour at a time as too many words at one time can become quite overwhelming.

Students are also encouraged to practice their alphabet. 

Reading

Take Home Readers will be sent home. We would like you to spend 10-15 minutes each night ‘sharing’ a book with your child. Some suggestions for you to help your child with their reading:

• Find a quiet place to enjoy the book, preferably not too late in the day.
• Read the book to your child first. Be sure that they can see the words, and point to each word as you say it.
• Talk about the title, cover, pictures and characters.
• Read the book together.
• Be patient – give your child time to predict words.
• If your child finds unknown words, can the picture and/or story line help them work out the words? If so, urge your child to use the pictures and context to find meaning. Otherwise, simply tell them the word without breaking the sense of the story.
• Remember that the purpose of the reader is to foster enjoyment and build confidence. It shouldn’t be seen as a chore.

See Homework Guidelines.

You can assist your child with their studies by discussing relevant information at home. We are encouraging our students to take independent action in response to our Units of Inquiry. This may involve bringing to school any books, posters, etc., that may be of interest to the class. Please ensure all items are named.

Click here to find out more about the PYP and the six transdisciplinary themes.

Prep students participate in a variety of incursions/excursions related to our Units of Inquiry, for example:

• Kids Car Education Incursion
• Fire Safety Incursion
• Local Tour Excursion
• ‘Under the Sea’ Drama Toolbox Incursion
• Melbourne Aquarium Excursion
• Resilience Program

Click here to find out more about our Excursions and Incursions procedure.

A significant feature of the Curriculum are our Specialist Programs which operate for all classes on a weekly basis; The Arts – Music, Physical Education and The Arts – Visual Arts. 

Specialist News

A ‘Specialist News’ update for PE, Art, Music and Library will be provided each term (via Compass and the BNPS website). Click here to access Specialist News. 

The Arts – Music

For more information, see Specialist Programs – Music. 

Physical Education

In PE lessons, Prep Students:

• Begin spatial awareness activities, whistle drills, equipment familiarisation and working within boundaries.
• Participate in the Fundamental Motor Skills program (catch, kick, run, jump) and incorporate these skills into co-operative games.
• Participate in an Intensive Swim Program.

For more information, see Specialist Programs – Physical Education. 

The Arts – Visual Arts

For more information, see Specialist Programs – Art. 

Library

Prep – Year 2 students also receive a weekly specialist Library lesson taken by a trained Teacher Librarian.

For more information, see Library.

• BNPS Instrumental Music Program
• Buddy Program
• Circle Time
• Lunch Clubs
• Swimming Program
• Wellbeing Programs

• Welcome Event
• Mother’s Day Pampering
• Grandparent’s Morning
• Cubby Day
• Old Fashioned Dress-up Day
• 100 Days of School Celebration
• Student Disco
• Father’s Day Morning
• Carols Night 
• School Concert