Making an Easy Transition

In response to community demand, 2021 has seen growth at St Peters Lutheran College Springfield Kindergarten which has expanded to include an additional classroom, taking the facility to an impressive, state-of-the-art, two-room centre.

MAI THATCHER

Opened in March 2021, the expansion has come at a perfect time, with interest and enrolments at the College at an all-time high. Appeal in the new room has been strong, with many families quickly taking up these highly sought-after kindergarten places.

The kindergarten, managed by Queensland Lutheran Early Childhood Services (QLECS), offers a welcoming and exciting place for young students to explore their creativity through a play-based curriculum model that focuses on exploration, questioning and problem solving. Operating as a long day care model, the kindergarten is staffed with qualified teachers who are aligned with the St Peters ethos, to foster a lifelong love of learning.

As a K-12 school, the College is proud to partner with families for their child’s entire education journey. Joining the kindergarten is the first step in that journey and annually a high proportion of students make the easy transition from kindergarten to Prep at St Peters Springfield.

Head of Primary, Mrs Debbie West-Mcinnes explains, “Children who are already familiar with our school, find the transition from kindergarten to Prep easier. Whilst enrolled at our kindergarten there are numerous opportunities for students to engage with the wider school community including library borrowing and annual Lower Primary Athletics and Cross Country carnivals”.

Providing opportunities for older students to serve their community has meant the creation of a ‘buddy’ program for the kindergarten involving Year 4 students. Bi-weekly visits between students create genuine and supportive social connections that endure throughout the student’s time at school. In addition, the kindergarten looks forward to regular pastoral care visits from the campus Chaplain, Pastor Matthew Wilksch, and from Mrs West-Mcinnes who enjoys story time with the children.

Principal, Mr Craig Schmidt concludes by saying, “The kindergarten is the first opportunity we have to demonstrate to families the authentic and holistic way we support students at St Peters. We are trusted with that which they hold most dear, and this is an undertaking that the team takes very seriously. The reward of watching a child grow in confidence and skill and develop in character is a gift to us."