Pathway to School: Nurturing Confident, Curious, and Capable Learners
It was a pleasure to meet with the Head of Junior School, Marika Taylor, to discuss the much-anticipated Hat Ceremony — an important rite of passage for our girls transitioning into Junior School. While this special event may still seem distant, we are already in March, and it will be here before we know it! This milestone highlights the significance of our bespoke Pathway to School program, a carefully designed 12-month journey that supports children’s transition into Reception.
Why is Pathway to School Significant?
Our Pathway to School program is far more than just preparation for school—it is a foundation for lifelong learning. Designed to nurture confident, capable, and resilient learners, it strengthens children’s early literacy, numeracy, and STEM understanding while also fostering the essential skills required to navigate change with confidence and adaptability.
Through thoughtfully curated learning environments and rich, inquiry-based experiences, we empower children to ask questions, investigate ideas, and engage in real-world problem-solving. These experiences encourage creativity, critical thinking, and perseverance—qualities that not only support academic success but also prepare children for the complexities of life beyond the classroom.
A Language and Math Rich Learning Environment
Children in Pathway to School are immersed in a language-rich environment filled with storytelling, meaningful conversations, and exposure to diverse texts. Literacy development is nurtured through phonics, vocabulary-building, and early writing experiences, all of which encourage children to see themselves as readers, writers, and storytellers.
Early numeracy skills are equally embedded in everyday learning. Hands-on activities involving counting, sorting, pattern recognition, and mathematical problem-solving allow children to explore and deepen their conceptual understanding in a natural and engaging way.
Exploring Identity, Patterns, and Cultural Connection
This term, children have been deeply engaged in exploring self-portraits, examining how our features are interconnected and how they change based on our emotions. These explorations have led to rich oral language experiences, as children shared their observations and documented their learning using a variety of artistic mediums.
Additionally, children have been immersed in creating A-B repeating patterns, working collaboratively to check the accuracy of their designs while using a range of loose parts and materials. This process has encouraged mathematical thinking, peer-to-peer learning, and an expanded understanding of patterns in the world around them.
A particularly special learning experience has been the exploration of the Palti Circle, a Kaurna term for a communal meeting place where listening, respect, and connection are valued. Using plasticine, children have represented themselves in a Palti Circle using Kaurna symbols, reinforcing their sense of belonging and inclusion within the Pathway community. This meaningful experience has deepened their understanding of cultural perspectives and the importance of gathering and sharing in community.
Continuing to Build and Expand on Staff Expertise
We are incredibly fortunate to have Lisa Burman, a highly respected pedagogical consultant, working alongside our ELC staff this term and next. Lisa is renowned for her work in early childhood education and literacy, and her insights are enriching our teaching practices, particularly in embedding literacy through inquiry and play.
With Lisa’s guidance, Pathway staff have introduced bookmaking, an approach that has ignited excitement among our young learners. This initiative encourages children to engage in the big thinking behind writing through mark making, drawing and oral storytelling. As they explore and create their own books, children develop:
- Critical and creative thinking skills
- Oral language and communication skills
- The ability to create texts that express their ideas
- Positive dispositions toward reading and writing
- An understanding of how books work and how stories are structured
Looking Ahead
As we continue this journey, we remain committed to ensuring that Pathway to School is not just a transition to Junior School, but an invitation for children to flourish, discover their potential, and engage in learning with excitement and confidence. Through meaningful experiences, expert guidance, and a strong sense of community, our children are developing the capabilities they need to embark on their next chapter as enthusiastic, curious, and capable learners.
