TRINITY ANGLICAN SCHOOL PREPARATORY TRANSITION GUIDE
TRINITY
ANGLICAN SCHOOL
White Rock Campus
Pre-Kindy to Year 12
Kewarra Beach Campus
Pre-Kindy to Year 6
Inspiring Curiosity
Inspiring Compassion
Inspiring Integrity
Inspiring
Perseverance
Message from the Principal
Welcome to Trinity Anglican School (TAS) Preparatory, the leading independent school in Far North Queensland.
The core belief of our school is that every student can succeed and meet their academic potential with the right support and environment. The TAS community nurtures the individual strengths of students and fosters curiosity to create outstanding young men and women.
While a positive Prep experience provides a strong foundation for the primary years to come, it can also be an overwhelming time, not only for students, but also for parents and families. This document includes all the information you need for an easy transition to Prep, and the steps you can take with the help of our transition team to prepare your family for the exciting journey ahead.
We look forward to establishing a close bond between our school and your home, and instilling a life-long love of learning in your child.
, Principal
MEET THE TAS TRANSITION TEAM
Mr Peter Gazzola, Head of Trinity Anglican School Primary
Mr Peter Gazzola has been a member of the Trinity Anglican School leadership team since 2018. He is a passionate advocate for technology in the classroom and pioneers initiatives to combine technology with inquiry through embedded ICT and laptop programs.
Mr Rob Lade, Deputy Head of Kewarra Beach Campus Primary
Kewarra Beach Campus is a sustainability-focused school with a strong academic culture. Nestled in the northern beaches, our unique location provides students with unparalleled access to nature-based resources, fostering exploration and curiosity. With opportunities for entrepreneurship, philanthropy, extension, and enrichment, students thrive both academically and personally.
Ms Michelle Breen, Deputy Head of White Rock Campus Primary
White Rock Campus is a culturally rich community that provides the perfect environment for holistic child development. Our dedicated educators foster academic success while nurturing positive interpersonal skills, ensuring every child thrives. Students will unlock their academic potential, engage in diverse co-curricular opportunities, and feel a deep sense of belonging in this supportive community.
LEARNING INSIDE THE CLASSROOM
TAS Prep teachers deliver a program based on the Early Years pedagogy that moves beyond the requirements of the Australian Curriculum. Key learning areas include:
• SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
Students learn in non-traditional classroom environments with specialist lessons each week, including Languages (Japanese), Visual Arts, Music and Physical Education.
• SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
Developing a positive identity and cooperation skills.
• HEALTH AND PHYSICAL
Developing positive health choices and movement skills.
• ENGLISH
Developing the three integrated strands of language, literature and literacy.
A Day at Prep
8:15 AM
• MATHEMATICS
Developing the three integrated strands of numbers, measurement and geometry.
• SCIENCE
Developing an understanding of science, inquiry skills and human endeavour.
• ACTIVE LEARNING PROCESSES
Enquiring, investigating, planning, analysing, reflecting and comparing.
• HUMANITIES
Developing an understanding of the world around us.
Classrooms open for students to unpack their belongings, and socialise with other students and their teacher. This is a good time for parents to quickly catch-up with their child’s teacher.
MORNING TEACHING SESSION
School starts and students settle into their seats for morning greetings and roll call. Morning teaching begins with students reading the weather and a school prayer. The session includes classroom-based literacy activities such as finger gym, phonological awareness, spelling and handwriting.
FRUIT BREAK
Morning teaching session continues with literacy-based activities and games.
MORNING BREAK, PLAY AND SUPERVISED EATING
MIDDLE TEACHING SESSION
Middle teaching session includes classroom-based numeracy activities as directed and guided by the teacher. Throughout the day, students participate in on-campus specialist lessons, including languages, visual art, music and physical education.
LUNCH BREAK, PLAY AND SUPERVISED EATING
AFTERNOON TEACHING SESSION
Afternoon teaching session includes a mixture of classroom-based activities like social skills and health. It can also include more specialist lessons or outdoor education/physical education.
3:00 PM (WHITE ROCK CAMPUS) & 3:15 PM (KEWARRA BEACH CAMPUS)
School ends. Please ensure you are on time to pick up your child.
Note: Times may vary depending on the campus and year.
LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Children will be fully immersed in the school community with the help of programs and facilities enjoyed by other grades. These include:
• CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the myriad of opportunities available before, after and during school. Prep students are no different. Every student can extend their academic potential and explore their interests in co-curricular activities. For more information, please view your campus cocurricular guide.
PREPARING FOR PREP AT HOME
Your child’s first experience with school is a vital time of transition, and parents are expected to help make this phase as easy as possible.
As a family, you can work through activities at home to improve your child’s independence and prepare them for Prep.
CREATE ROUTINE
Set times for everyday activities to help your child understand what they have to do each day. E.g. Set a bed time and wake up time, have a healthy breakfast or make time for academic and physical activities.
SET HEALTHY HABITS
Encourage your child to make healthy choices by providing food in realistic quantities. Practice drinking from a water bottle and model sun-safe practices by encouraging them to wear a hat and sunscreen.
HOW TO ASK FOR HELP
Talk with your child about how to recognise bad situations (E.g. feeling sick). Teach them how to ask teachers and school staff for help by modelling what to say.
BUILD CONFIDENCE
Help your child cope during challenging situations by finding answers to their questions. Talk through some ‘What will I do if?’ situations to build their confidence.
KNOW YOUR SCHOOL
Help your child get to know the school environment and routine by driving past the school or taking a tour. Prepare any materials that your children will need to bring on their first day.
HYGIENE
Ensure your child knows how to cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze, blow their nose, use the toilet, wash their hands and other things that keep our community safe.
BUILD INDEPENDENCE
Before your child starts school, develop their independence by practising unfamiliar tasks, including packing and carrying their school bag, putting on their shoes, opening their lunch box and more.
ENGAGEMENT
Develop concentration skills by reading aloud and writing with your child (e.g. shopping lists or letters). You can also build their imagination and natural curiosity by visiting new places or playing sports.
BELONGINGS
It is important for students to recognise their belongings so they can find them when needed. We recommend labeling clothes and using bag tags or similar to mark their belongings.
First Day and Week
On your child’s first day of Prep, teachers ensure they know where to put their belongings, where to have lunch, play and how to locate the amenities, including toilets and sinks. Children are taught how to get to and from their classroom, along with other important locations.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
On their first day, we ask that parents drop off and pick up children at their classroom. Please take time to speak to your child’s teacher during their first week and be prepared to help settle your child into an activity. To help with the transition, please drop off and pick up punctually.
WHAT TO BRING
• Children should arrive in complete school uniform and their labelled school bag
Food for each break (fruit break, morning tea, lunch) and a reusable water bottle
Your child’s green zipper bag for their home readers and diary, as well as their library bag
• A change of clothes in case of an accident
• On designated swimming days, bring your child’s swimming gear, including rashie, goggles, towel and thongs
STAYING UP TO DATE
TAS families benefit from a variety of convenient parent platforms. In Prep, classes utilise See-Saw, which allows teachers to share day-to-day updates with families. Please keep up to date by regularly checking Parent Hub, See-Saw or reading notice boards and email newsletters.
HOMEWORK
We encourage parents to help with any homework, including reading and writing, as directed by the teacher.
First Year
COMMUNICATION
TAS has an open communication policy and families benefit from many opportunities for formal and informal parent-teacher meetings.
UNIFORM
TAS students are required to wear a uniform. This can be purchased from the TAS Uniform Shop at White Rock Campus or Kewarra Beach Reception. Please visit the TAS website for opening hours.
ABSENCE
Parents can lodge absences via the TAS Orbit App. If your child is late or needs to leave early, parents should contact their relevant reception.
FOOD, WATER AND TUCK SHOP
EXCURSIONS AND INCURSIONS
Special activities that complement learning are organised for students throughout the year. Occasionally, children will be taken to places of interest and your voluntary supervision may be sought.
OUTSIDE-SCHOOL HOURS-CARE (OSHC)
OSHC and Vacation Care is available at both campuses. Please visit the tas website for more information, fees and opening hours.
It is recommended that parents provide a variety of small snacks instead of 1 or 2 large items. Please provide a water bottle every day and encourage your child to use it. Parents can place orders from the Tuck Shop via MSA (My School Account).
MEDICAL PROTOCOLS
All prescription and overthe-counter medications with a signed permission form are to be provided to and administered by Reception. All school staff are trained to administer first-aid at the school for incidents of a minor nature. Should a serious illness or accident occur, parents will be contacted and, if necessary, emergency services. Parents are expected to keep the school informed of emergency contact numbers and other medical information.
