John Wollaston Anglican Community School

JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

LITTLE WOLLIES GET A HEAD START

Over the past 11 years the Little Wollies program at John Wollaston Anglican Community School has been nurturing and educating three-year-old children, providing them with the building blocks for a successful start to their schooling life. It was strong interest from parents and the wider community that spurred the School into starting the Little Wollies program in 2011. Commencing as a one-day program, Little Wollies has now grown to two classes with parents having the option to choose from one day or two days per week. The Little Wollies program is helping three-year-old children develop school ready skills. Led by an experienced Early Childhood teacher, the play-based program stimulates young minds, builds confidence and resilience, teaches friendship building skills and supports a child’s transition to formal schooling. Principal Anne Ford said through play-based activities students develop their cognitive, social and physical skills creating a strong foundation for them to learn and grow. “It’s heart-warming for me to see our Little Wollies making new discoveries in the classroom, displaying their creativity and innovative thinking through their arts and crafts projects, and hearing the sounds of laughter and chatter as they play and discover outdoors in the nature playground,” Ms Ford said. Year 9 student, Eden Geb was one of the first students to begin in Little Wollies in 2011. “Little Wollies helped me adjust to coming to school. It taught me how to socialise and play with other children and one of my earliest memories was riding the trikes around the track in the playground,” Eden said. More than 10 years later, the Little Wollies program is growing from strength to strength. A purpose-built facility will open in 2023, enabling the School to provide an expanded, more flexible offering to parents. “We are delighted to provide our youngest students with a strong foundation to develop friendships and a lifelong love of learning,” Ms Ford said.