By Rebecca Fraser
CHILDREN enrolled to start prep at Casey schools next year have been gaining a sneak peek into the wonderful world of the classroom.
This week new preps at Berwick Lodge Primary School gained an early start when they began a four-week school experience program.
The program began with a welcome to Berwick Lodge school tour on Tuesday where children and parents visited classrooms and the Prep Park play area to help them become acquainted with their new school surroundings.
Assistant principal Anne Ng said the program was an important part of starting school.
“Starting school is such a big occasion for children — and their whole family too — so it is very important to us that all our children and their parents feel happy and secure about the whole process.
“Our program prepares the children for school by taking away the element of the unknown, which can be a major factor in a child’s reluctance to settle into something new.
“We make it a fun experience for everyone so that rather than being anxious about starting school, children can become excited,” she said.
The program concludes on Tuesday, 6 December and will involve sessions with specialist program teachers as well as learning technologies, visual arts, performing arts and physical education classes and parents also receive some special attention.
While their children are enjoying their time with specialist teachers, parents have the opportunity to meet the principal and assistant principals and other staff who will present an overview of the school, and information sessions covering matters such as booklists, uniforms, student welfare and the Parents’ and Friends’ Association.
New preps at James Cook Primary School in Endeavour Hills have also gained a taste of the school experience when they attended similar induction sessions.
Acting assistant principal Jennie Vormwald said the school was expecting an influx of 42 preps next year and orientation was an important introduction to the school.
“We had a teddy bears night where the preps performed a couple of items and everyone came in their pyjamas.
“A lot of the kids have not been to kinder or come from a non-English speaking background and do not know what school is about.
“Some are even a little afraid so we take things slow and ease them gradually into the school experience,” she said.
