The major milestones in a child’s educational journey occur from Early Learning into Prep, and Year 6 into Year 7. Yarra Valley Grammar offers Early Learning to Year 12, so recognises how important these transitions are and works hard to ensure they are as seamless as possible.
One of the advantages of having an Early Learning Centre on the same campus as the primary and secondary schools is that it allows the youngest students access to many of the aspects of mainstream school. For example, they are able to borrow books from the Junior School library, have music lessons from one of the music teachers, take swimming lessons in the school pool and even experience a Chemistry lesson with the VCE Chemistry students. The ELC students also regularly visit the different areas of the campus; visiting the principal, exploring the gardens and native bushland or learning to ride bicycles. All of these opportunities give Yarra Valley Grammar’s ELC children tremendous confidence when it comes time to transition into Prep.
Of course, each child must be assessed as being ready for mainstream school and that process is done in conjunction with the Early Learning Centre staff.
In November, the ELC children, along with any new students, have the opportunity to spend the day in the Prep classrooms over three consecutive weeks. This allows them to meet their teachers, make new friends and immerse themselves in their new environment in preparation for the following year.
The transition from primary school into secondary is a very important period for both student and the school. Yarra Valley Grammar has a 12-step transition process that has been honed over the years in order to make the transition as stress free as possible.
The program begins with a Fellowship and exploration morning in July to allow students to familiarise themselves with the school and make friends early. The Head of Middle School, Mrs Julie Hall, visits all of the new students at their primary school and an Orientation day occurs in November.
“We want to build a strong community and sense of belonging. We seek a lot of feedback from the children to make sure they’re comfortable when they arrive,” says Julie.
Yarra Valley Grammar recognises that it is not only a transition period for students, but also for their parents. A New Parents Welcome evening in November is an opportunity for parents to feel a part of the process, and a part of the school community. Early in the new school year an information evening is held where parents can meet their child’s tutor and have an opportunity to voice any concerns they may have.
Yarra Valley Grammar’s motto is Confidence to achieve and the importance the school places on getting the key transition periods right for students is at the heart of its objective to give all of its students the confidence to achieve their very best.
Established in the heart of Melbourne’s east in 1966 and set on a spacious 30-hectare campus, Yarra Valley Grammar overlooks […]