Kindergarten Early Stage One

The first years of schooling are critical in the education of a child in order to create a sound foundation for future learning. (NSW Department of Training 2001)

Kindergarten is the first year of school. During Kindergarten students work towards achieving Early Stage One learning outcomes.

Putney Public School staff are committed to providing a positive start to school for all students. The school runs an orientation / transition program Term 4 the year before students commence school. This provides a valuable transition form home / preschool to school.

How Will Children Learn?

Putney Public School encourages students to learn in a variety of ways. They learn individually, in pairs, in groups, and as a whole class. Students will be encouraged to work co-operatively, to aim for their personal best and importantly be supportive of each other. Before children start Kindergarten it is important for them to be ready emotionally, socially and mentally.

There are six Key Learning Areas (KLAs) that make up the NSW Department of Education Curriculum.

They are English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), Creative and Practical Arts(CAPA) and Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE).

The areas of learning for students in Kindergarten to Year 6 are:

English - students learn about, and learn to use written language.

Maths - students develop the ability to investigate and solve non-routine problems.

Science and Technology - students learn about natural and man-made environments.

Human Society and Its Environment - this area deals with peoples' interactions with one another and with their social, cultural and physical environments.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - aims to develop knowledge and understanding, skills, values and attitudes that will help students to adopt active, healthy and fulfilling lifestyles.

Creative Arts - students explore and experience different art forms including Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts.

With in each KLA there are a number of different sub strands and units. A lot of learning is done through an integrated classroom approach.

Literacy and Learning

Lots of children come to school with the expectation they will learn to read and write. At Putney School teachers value student learning prior to school and cater for the individual needs of students in a number of ways in the class room. The teachers use a range of strategies including guided reading groups and the shared reading of big books .

Count Me In Too

Count Me in Too is a hands on practical program used to develop a range of knowledge, skills and strategies in the Number strand of Mathematics. The program is implemented across K-4. It encourages students to think mathematically and use a range of problem solving strategies to work out an answer to a given question.

Learning experiences are planned based on syllabus requirements, and the needs of the whole class, small groups and the individual. Students work at their own level at their own pace. The use of resources or “concrete materials” is also incorporated into the learning experiences to help students understand mathematical concepts.

P.E. Skills

From Term 2 Kindergarten participate in a program that is aimed at enhancing specific physical skills. Parents participate in group activities which provide students with the opportunity to develop running, jumping, throwing/catching, balance and coordination skills.

How to be supportive between home and school

• Encourage your child to make discoveries for themselves and talk about them
• Remember not to always tell them the answers, but to encourage them to find their own answers
• Question your child on what they have been doing during their day
• Discuss books that they have been reading at home
• Emphasise positive aspects of school
• Encourage “having a go”
• Drawing and colouring activities

 Useful Activities prior to school

• Listening to stories, rhymes and chants
• Looking at and reading books
• Discussing books and stories at home
• Scribbling and free drawing with crayons and pencils
• Simple cutting (pictures from old magazines)
• Painting
• Making things with scrap materials
• Using puzzles
• Modelling using play dough

 
Kindergarten Enrolment

Is my child eligible to enrol?

Children who will attain the age of five years prior to 31st July in that year may be enrolled at the beginning of the school year.

Parents who chose to enrol eligible children after the beginning of they year may do so up to the end of Term 2.

Children who attain the age of five years after 31st July, and eligible children not enrolled by the end of Term 2 must await the enrolment at the beginning of the following year.

Documentary evidence of date of birth is required for enrolment as is an immunisation certificate signed by a doctor.

Your child will need:

• School bag clearly labelled
• Lunch and recess
• Clothes and belongings clearly labelled
• A handkerchief or tissue
• School Hat
• Paint shirt
• Raincoat
• Library Bag

For any further information on the school’s enrolment procedures please contact the office.