This year, Holy Name Primary School is one of eight new schools joining the new Diocesan project for Kindergarten students Successful Foundations. Successful Foundations is a play based action research project, which specifically transitions early learners to school and nurtures positive collaborative relationships between children, families, teachers and the community. Successful Foundations supports the Catholic Schools Office’s Early Learning Policy and Strengthens classroom practices. The project was piloted in 2019 with 11 schools all achieving great success in their classrooms.

For the first hour of school this term, Kindergarten have been engaging in play activities both inside and outside the classroom, allowing Mrs Monks and I to observe the students and their capabilities. It also allows time for us to build a strong relationship with each student and their families, while also seeing their interests and all of the things they can do. The provocations allow us as teachers to view the students collaborating, problem solving, how they interact socially, their creativity while also engaging in literacy and numeracy activities. We have already observed students collaborating with others, creatively designing using blocks, students problem solving when they have to share resources and also see students curious and competent natural researchers.

Last week Kim Moroney, Education Officer (Early Learning) for the Catholic Schools Office came to visit Kindergarten during the hour of play. Kim felt welcomed by the students and enjoyed viewing the students in their provocations and she has been a great support to Mrs Monks and I as we develop our own understanding of the project and of the importance of play. Mrs Monks and I will be attending a Professional Development opportunity at the end of the month in Newcastle with the other schools, to find out how to further incorporate play based learning, once the project concludes after the first five weeks of term.

Mrs Sarah Praschinger

(Kindergarten Teacher)