St John Vianney’s Primary School in Manly has expanded its Pre-Prep program to help children and their families feel more comfortable and confident about starting Prep.
The school used to offer orientation mornings to introduce children to their new environment. However, they saw the need for a more hands-on approach and have now added more activities and support for both kids and parents. The new program focuses on play-based learning, getting involved with the community, and supporting parents through the transition.
What’s New in the Pre-Prep Program?
The updated program now includes Prep Play and Stay afternoons in Term 2, giving children a chance to explore their new surroundings in a relaxed and friendly way. In Term 3, parents can attend workshops and take part in three orientation sessions to help them prepare for the school journey. By Term 4, Pre-Prep students can start borrowing library books to build an early love for reading.
Assistant Principal Religious Education Carmel Smith said the school is also working closely with local kindergartens like Treehouse Early Learning Manly and Wings Early Learning Manly. Throughout Term 3, Year 6 students visited these centres to play with the kindergarteners, helping them feel more comfortable about moving to “big school.”
Parents are happy with the changes. Prep parent Ashleigh Zarif said her son is excited to start school, and she appreciates how the program helps children feel at ease and ready to learn.
Helping Families Prepare for School
To support parents, the school now offers sessions on important topics like reading, maths, and building emotional resilience. These sessions also give parents the chance to meet each other and feel like part of the school community.
Carmel Smith’s Top 5 Tips for Parents When Getting Ready for Prep
- Encourage independence – Let your child practise dressing themselves and doing simple tasks like putting on shoes to build their confidence.
- Create a goodbye routine – A simple routine, like a hug or a special phrase, can help make goodbyes easier and less stressful.
- Introduce the teacher – Talk to your child about their teacher and explain how they are there to help and make learning fun.
- Get involved in the school community – Go to school events, set up playdates, and join in parish activities to help your child make friends and feel comfortable.
- Talk about feelings – Let your child know it’s okay to feel excited or nervous about starting school and encourage them to share their feelings.
With the positive response to the expanded Pre-Prep program, St John Vianney’s Primary School will continue improving how they help children get ready for school. The school is now taking enrolments for Prep 2026.
Published 24-Jan-2025