Perth College
Early Learners Embrace
Nature and Discovery
At Perth College our youngest learners have embarked on an exciting journey exploring the world of living things through a variety of enriching incursions and excursions, including River School, Educated by Nature, and Inglewood Triangle.
Our Early Years program encourages students to explore their curiosity within a safe space, asking questions that teachers then use to structure learning experiences tied to the curriculum. This play-based, hands-on approach is designed to inspire inquisitiveness about the world around them.
Our Kindergarten explorers embarked on a thrilling journey to Inglewood Triangle in Term 1, the first in a series of exciting trips planned for this year. Guided by the wonderful volunteers from Friends of Inglewood Triangle, our students got their hands dirty planting seedlings they nurtured last year. Students then ventured on a bush walk, discovering, and examining the native bee homes they helped establish.
The Kindergarten students were joined by Director of Junior School Katy Howes who said, ‘It is reaffirming to see the children gently caring for native plants, looking for lizards and skinks, and developing a genuine love and curiosity for our environment.’
Our Pre-Primary students have been captivated by the magical and enchanting world of fairies. Throughout the term they practised their literacy skills by writing short notes to their fairy friends. As part of their study on living things, they enjoyed a special visit from Bunnings Warehouse, where they created their own fairy gardens.
Through this activity, they learned about plants such as kangaroo paws, marigolds, sandgropers, and petunias. To make their gardens extra magical, the students decorated them with various fairy-themed ornaments, including dragons, gnomes, fairies, and pebble stones. Their creativity shone brightly as they crafted these enchanting gardens, blending imagination, creativity, and learning.
For six weeks during Term 2, Pre-Primary students also embarked on an inspiring journey with Educated by Nature, exploring the outdoors through their senses. Each week, the girls immersed themselves in the natural wonders around our school. By pausing and slowing down, they learned to notice the intricate details of nature, from the way light changes spaces to the movement of plants and the activities of insects. This program fosters connections to self, nature, and community, developing resilience, confidence, and inquisitive minds.
Building on the theme of nature as a powerful teacher, Year 1 and 2 students have been participating in the River School experience. This program helps them develop a deep connection to nature and the river, encouraging them to become active environmental citizens. River School promotes wellbeing and inquiry by integrating insights from their river explorations into classroom learning.
The students have engaged in activities such as map-making, drawing, and even creating a mermaid colony by the river. This immersive experience teaches them resilience and fosters their natural curiosity.
The enriching program on offer at Perth College provide the opportunity to learn through experience and it is wonderful to see our youngest students thriving. We look forward to witnessing their continued growth and exploration.
Published in Messenger August 2024
Perth College
Perth College is an Anglican day and boarding school for girls from Kindergarten to Year 12, located only 4 km from the city in Mt Lawley.