By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on June 29, 2019
THREE-year-olds will be able to attend school for one full day per week next year at Albany’s Great Southern Grammar.
Principal Mark Sawle recently revealed that Director General of Education Lisa Rodgers had approved Great Southern Grammar (GSG) to add a pre-kindergarten class to the school’s registration as of 2020.
Mr Sawle said a qualified early childhood educator would run the class every Friday during school term from 8.45am to 3pm and deliver the Early Years Curriculum Framework.
“For some time, the school has received queries regarding the provision of a pre-kindergarten program,” he said.
“Currently, the school hosts the Kalgan Playgroup onsite once per week, however, the community has limited access to pre-kindergarten programs in Albany and surrounding areas.
“By offering a one-day-per-week program, GSG is meeting community expectations as well as supporting the transition to school-based education programs.”
An emphasis will be placed on planned and spontaneous play in the pre-kindergarten program and the “intrinsically inquisitive” nature of children will also be addressed, alongside oral literacy and numeracy.
Mr Sawle said the program would be based in the school’s existing Early Childhood Centre and students would have access to the whole campus including the school farm, bushland and wetlands, via guided exploration.
“It enables GSG to further support local families by providing access to early childhood education, parenting support and other services,” he said.
Expressions of interest for pre-kindergarten can be submitted to [email protected] or by calling 9844 0307.
