PREP 2026 Ready,
WELCOME TO @ CCC PREP
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Ready, Set, Prep
At Cooloola Christian College (CCC), we understand that a child’s first steps into formal education are some of the most important they’ll ever take. That’s why we’re passionate about preparing little learners not just for Prep, but for a lifelong journey of learning. “Ready, Set, Prep” is more than a catchphrase; it’s our commitment to ensuring every child begins their school years with confidence, capability, and curiosity.
The foundation for this strong start begins in Kindergarten. At our CCC Early Learning, we create a nurturing and engaging environment that helps children build essential skills long before they step into a Prep classroom. Our learning programs are intentionally designed to develop social and emotional confidence, early literacy and numeracy skills , and the ability to communicate and collaborate. These core skills are vital for long term educational success.
The move from Kindergarten to Prep is a significant step, and we believe in building a strong bridge between these years. Children who experience a well-supported transition are more likely to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. At CCC, we walk alongside families through this process, offering support, guidance, and clear communication every step of the way.
We don’t just prepare children for their first day of school, we prepare them for a life of learning. Our goal is to equip every child with the skills they need to succeed in education and beyond: critical thinking, creativity, resilience, and a love of learning rooted in strong Christian values. Let’s work together to give your child the best start.
Let the journey begin!
MRS NATALIE COCKS DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - PRIMARY
FOUNDATION A FIRM
At CCC Early Learning Centre, we are passionate about nurturing the whole child, supporting their growth, wellbeing, and development so they are ready to thrive when they step into Prep and beyond.
From the moment your child enters Kindy at CCC ELC, they are immersed in a learning environment designed to develop key foundational skills across all areas: cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Our Kindy program is intentional in helping children become ‘Prep ready,’ offering structured, yet play-based experiences, that build independence, resilience, and a love of learning.
Importantly, our Kindy children are not only growing academically, they are growing in character and community. Being immersed in the College environment gives them early exposure to school life: the people, the places, and the rhythms of the day. Our dedicated Prep Transition Program ensures little learners are ready for Prep; they’re not stepping into the unknown, they’re stepping into a familiar and welcoming space with confidence.
Our CLEAR values: Courageous, Learners, Excellence, Accountable, and Respectful, are consistently implemented across both the ELC and the College. Children begin to understand and embrace these expectations early, creating a positive, consistent culture of care, responsibility, and Christian character.
As a Christian school, we believe each child is a precious creation of God, uniquely gifted and deeply loved. Our role is to walk alongside families - nurturing gifts, growing potential, and planting seeds of faith and learning that will flourish for years to come.
At CCC, we’re not just getting children ready for Prep; we’re preparing them for life.
GAQLD KINDERGARTEN LEARNING GUIDELINE (QKLG)
Our curriculum is thoughtfully aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline, which recognises that early childhood is a time of significant learning and development. We believe that children thrive when they feel secure, confident, and connected. The QKLG supports this by promoting a holistic approach to learning, encouraging children to build strong relationships, develop empathy, and engage in meaningful experiences that foster a positive sense of identity and wellbeing.
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PRE-LITERACY FOCUS
We use well-known and effective programs like Casey Caterpillar for handwriting and Soundwaves for early literacy skills. Because these programs are also used in Prep, children feel more confident and comfortable as they move into big school, making the transition smoother.
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SPECIALIST TEACHERS
Every week, specialist teachers from the College visit the ELC to run music and dance lessons. These sessions are not only joyful and engaging, they enhance brain development, coordination, memory, rhythm, and body awareness. They also support children’s confidence and self-expression as they explore movement and sound in a fun, supportive environment.
COLLEGE VISITS
DKindy children regularly visit our College Adventure Playground, where they play, explore, and build important physical and social skills. Each week, they join Primary Chapel to worship and learn about God with the school community. They also visit the College Library, helping them develop a love for books and become familiar with new routines in a school setting.
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SERVICE LEARNING - BUDDIES
At CCC, we value helping others and building strong connections. Throughout the year, Primary & Secondary classes visit the ELC to read, do crafts, and play with the Kindy children. These visits help build friendships and create a sense of support, making younger children feel more confident and comfortable when it’s time to start Prep.
BEAR PROGRAM & CCC SUPPORT SERVICES
We work with the College’s Support Services team, who run the BEAR program at the ELC. This program helps children understand their feelings, show care for others, and build emotional resilience; important skills for effective learning and forming strong friendships.
TRANSITION TO PREP PROGRAM
In the second half of the Kindy year, CCC offers a dedicated Prep Transition Program, giving children even more opportunities to explore the Prep classrooms, meet the teachers, and participate in age-appropriate school activities. This thoughtful and gentle approach ensures our little learners are truly ready for their next big step.
THE FIRST STEPS
We know that starting Prep is a big step for both children and their families. That’s why we offer a thoughtful and engaging Transition to Prep Program designed to prepare little hearts and minds for the exciting journey ahead. The program begins with our much-loved Teddy Bears Picnic, where each child is gifted their very own CCC teddy bear. Children enjoy games, activities, and a special morning tea; giving them a chance to meet new friends while parents connect with one another in a relaxed setting.
In Term 4, children attend three Transition Mornings, spending time in the Prep classrooms with the teachers and other children who will be in Prep. These sessions help children become familiar with their new learning environment, daily routines, and the people they’ll see each day; building confidence, reducing anxiety, and making the first day of Prep feel exciting rather than overwhelming. Each child receives a Ready, Set, Prep pack, filled with fun resources and a countdown calendar to help them look forward to starting school.
Parents are invited to join a Meet & Greet Parent Information Session during the last transition morning. This is an opportunity to meet key staff, ask questions, share concerns, and learn ways to support their child’s transition. It’s a great time to start building community with other families, after all, the connections formed now often lead to future friendships, playdates, and birthday parties!
At CCC, we’re not just preparing children for school, we’re walking alongside families to build strong foundations together. # PREP READINESS: Pre-Literacy Skills
Reading aloud with your child is one of the best ways to build early literacy skills and foster a love of learning. It supports listening, vocabulary, comprehension and strengthens your bond too.
For helpful tips, listen to CCC’s The Village Effect podcast episode with Sarah Edwards, our experienced Early Years Teacher, Primary Enrichment Coordinator, and mother, as she shares practical ideas for building routines and nurturing a love of reading.
OCT
TEDDY BEARS PICNIC
Wednesday 8 October
9.30am - 10.45am
TRANSITION MORNING
Thursday 16 October 9.30am - 10.45am
TRANSITION MORNING
Thursday 16 October
9.30am - 10.45am
Growing together A SUPPORTED APPROACH TO STARTING SCHOOL
NOV
TRANSITION MORNING
Thursday 13 November 9.30am - 10.45am
MEET & GREET
PARENT INFORMATION MORNING
Thursday 13 November
9.30am - 10.45am
We’re excited to begin this journey with you and your child as you prepare to start Prep at Cooloola Christian College in 2026.
As part of our commitment to supporting a smooth and confident transition into ‘big’ school, we’ve planned a number of key events throughout the year specifically for families who have enrolled with us for Prep 2026.
These special moments beginning with a Teddy Bears Picnic and continuing with our Transition Morning sessions are all about helping your child feel ready, excited, and connected.
This is BOB, MY BEAR
Q + A
What if my child is not reading or writing yet?
How will my child be supported if they feel nervous or overwhelmed?
Our caring Prep team understands that the transition to school is a big step. We provide a gentle start, clear routines, and lots of encouragement to help children feel safe, settled, and confident.
That’s absolutely okay! Prep is designed to build these skills from the ground up. Through programs like Casey Caterpillar and Soundwaves, we support each child at their own pace as they grow in confidence and ability. Does my child need to be able to tie their shoe laces or open lunch containers?
What uniform does my child need to wear?
In their first year of Prep, students wear the Sports uniform each day, this includes the CCC polo shirt with shorts or skorts, navy socks, and all-black leather or leather-like joggers. New Preppies receive a complimentary sports polo, perfect for wearing to transition mornings. Our Uniform Shop is conveniently located in the Administration Building for all uniform needs.
Do I need to provide stationary & books?
No, the College supplies all classroom resources your child will need in Prep so there’s no need to purchase individual items like pencils or exercise books.
Prep students will need a Library and Homework Bag, both available from the Uniform Shop. These help protect books and support good learner routines right from the start.
Independence is encouraged, but we know every child develops at their own rate. Practising simple tasks at home, like opening lunchboxes or putting on jumpers, can help build confidence, and our staff are always there to assist when needed.
Will my Prep student get homework?
Yes, but not right away. Homework is typically introduced in Term 2 and is kept simple, usually a review sounds and letters covered in class that week and a memory verse to copy, which helps develop fine motor skills. Later in the year, home readers may be sent home for students who are ready. Please know that we’re here to support both your child and your family, so if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to contact the teacher.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN ...
PREP
Prep is an exciting and important milestone; the first official year of school and a time of big changes, new routines, and lots of learning. We believe in starting gently, helping children settle into their new environment with confidence and joy. The early weeks are all about building relationships, learning classroom routines, and becoming comfortable with new faces, spaces, and expectations.
To ease this transition, we begin by dipping our toes into early literacy and numeracy through playful, hands-on learning. Some of the first programs children engage with is Casey the Caterpillar Handwriting program that uses a fun and engaging story about a curious caterpillar named Casey to introduce children to letter formation by teaching them basic shapes that form letters. Later in the year, we introduce Soundwaves, a structured phonemic-based literacy program designed to build strong foundational reading and spelling skills.
Students in Prep to Year 6 also enjoy a rich variety of weekly specialist lessons that extend and enrich their learning. These include Health & Physical Education, Creative Arts, and Spanish, providing opportunities to grow physically, creatively, and culturally.Prep students attend Chapel and visit the College Library each week. Chapel is a special time to worship together and learn more about God, while Library visits include storytime and borrowing books to take home, fostering a love of reading and supporting early literacy development.
Of course, learning success is closely linked to a child’s social and emotional wellbeing. Having enough sleep, eating well, and feeling supported at home all contribute to a strong start. In the lead-up to Prep, parents can help by talking positively about school, encouraging questions, and reassuring children that it’s okay to feel a little nervous. That’s exactly why our Prep Transition Program is valuable; it helps children feel familiar with the school environment, meet their future teachers and classmates, and gradually build confidence before the first day arrives.
With the right support, Prep becomes more than just the start of school, it becomes the beginning of a lifelong love for learning.
OUR TEAM
NATALIE COCKS
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL | PRIMARY
Natalie brings a wealth of experience in Early Years education and a deep understanding of the full learning journey from Prep to Year 12. As a mother of five children (from Year 1 to Year 11) she brings both professional insight and personal perspective to her role.
Before becoming Deputy, Natalie taught in both Primary and Secondary. She works closely with Kindy and Prep staff to support a smooth and successful transition into formal schooling.
Natalie is passionate about nurturing each child’s potential in a safe, Christ-centred environment and leads a dedicated team of educators committed to helping students flourish.
KELLY MCINTYRE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER
| CCC ELC
Now in her fourth year at the ELC, Kelly feels incredibly blessed to be part of a nurturing centre surrounded by caring staff, supportive families, and wonderful children.
Kelly is deeply passionate about early years education and is committed to fostering a warm, inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued, and secure. With a heart for play-based learning, she loves creating engaging experiences that spark curiosity, invite discovery, and reflect the joy and love of God.
TRUDY EVANS | PREP TEACHER
Trudy is a proud mother of five adult children and a Nanna to two beautiful grandchildren. For over 17 years, she has had the joy and privilege of teaching at CCC, where she has found her calling in nurturing young learners and helping them develop a genuine love for school and learning. Trudy is passionate about creating a warm, welcoming, and aesthetically rich classroom environment, a place where children feel safe, valued, and confident in their identity as unique creations of God. With a special love for literacy, she is committed to building strong foundational skills that support students as they grow into capable, confident readers and writers on their learning journey.
JEMMIMA SHELLEY | PREP TEACHER
As an Early Years teacher with over four years of experience, Jemmima is passionate about creating a warm, nurturing environment where young learners feel valued, inspired, and supported. She began her career in the childcare sector and has since found great joy teaching in Prep to Year 2. Jemmima loves fostering creativity and curiosity in the classroom while celebrating each child’s unique, God-given gifts. Deeply committed to providing quality education for every child, she finds great fulfilment in walking alongside them as they grow and flourish on their learning journey.
KYLEE JONES | EDUCATION SUPPORT OFFICER
As a devoted mother to three wonderful girls, Kylee brings warmth, care, and a deep understanding of early childhood development to her role. Her heart truly lies in the early years, where she finds great joy and purpose in guiding young learners as they begin their educational journey. Kylee is deeply passionate about supporting children in every aspect of their growth: socially, emotionally, and academically, and is committed to helping each child reach their fullest potential in a nurturing, Christ-centred environment.
KALINDA KERNICK | EDUCATION SUPPORT OFFICER
Kalinda is a proud mum of three, with her youngest still attending CCC. She enjoys hiking, fishing, and gardening, and brings that same sense of wonder and curiosity into the Prep classroom. Kalinda loves being part of a creative and fun learning environment, working alongside a great teaching team. One of her greatest joys is seeing young learners grow in confidence, develop a love for learning, and delight in discovering more about God and His amazing creation.
