SWAN Hill Primary School is celebrating a smooth and successful transition of Prep students into its community.
A total of 84 Prep students are enjoying school life across four classes with additional support provided in each classroom and a buddy system to bolster their confidence in the school yard.
Acting assistant principal Cailie Skinner said students had settled into school routines well and attributed the smooth start to an early and well-planned transition process.
“Transition for 2025 Prep enrolments has already started and we think this early engagement is key to students and families in feeling comfortable and ready to be part of the school community sooner,” she said.
“Our transition program offers up to 10 opportunities for Preps to develop a connection to the school environment, and a visit to the kindergartens by our teachers and leadership team.
“An open day where we welcome families to come along and meet the staff and explore the school is another key aspect to students feeling comfortable and familiar to take the next steps into primary school.
“Our Ready, Set Prep program gives students a chance to experience school and they can take part in literacy, numeracy or specialist sessions with our current classroom teachers.
“Parents are also welcome to attend the sessions which will take place on between June 17 and 21 this year.”
All Prep students are allocated a buddy from Grade 6 who take a guiding and supporting role to assist Preps to feel comfortable and safe, and take part in planned activities together.
A focus of the school is ensuring all students understand the desired behaviours needed to promote a harmonious learning environment.
Each class then develops a social story to reflect ways the students are demonstrating the positive behaviours.
“Our Prep classes are already under way with their social learning stories and demonstrating great examples of the kind of behaviours that are expected throughout our school’s different environments,” Ms Skinner said.
“They are also taking part in specialist classes which are really popular and interesting.”
Specialist classes at Swan Hill Primary School include Science and Technology, PE, Digital Learning, Mental Health, Auslan and Music.
The school prides itself on it values that include responsibility, commitment, belonging, respect and achieving success together.
Prep students have a designated outside play area with a supervising teacher and all students have access to lunchtime activities including meditation, chess, Lego, mud kitchen and the library.
“The lunchtime activities are a great option for children less focussed on sport,” Ms Skinner said.
“They’re also a great way to meet new friends and try new things.”
Ms Skinner said the school was focussed on including parents in their child’s learning and working towards their schooling success.
“We believe in the mantra that ‘every child is important, every staff member an asset and every parent a partner in education’ and we keep that in the forefront of everything we strive to do within the school,” she said.
“We have our holiday hat parade to celebrate Easter on March 27 and hope to see many families come along to enjoy the occasion.
“The students really get excited about making their hats and showcasing them with their friends.”
The school will hold an open day on Sunday, March 24 and welcomes all prospective families to come along and see what the school has to offer.
Alternatively, the school can arrange private tours at any time and bookings can made by calling 5032 1336.
