Collegiate’s caring community
THE Junior School campus for St Michael’s Collegiate School is situated in South Hobart, catering for the youngest members of the Collegiate family from Early Learning to Year 4.
With extensive grounds and stunning views of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, our Early Learning Centre (ELC) and Kindergarten offer a unique curriculum that explores and engages with the natural world, extending learning from the classroom to our wider school grounds and beyond.
Our program offers an educational journey where every child is known and cared for. In this unique environment that we discover and learn about our community and world, with weekly adventures of discovery to the garden and rivulet.
Recognising that the environment is a major influence in a child’s inquisitive nature and their desire to discover, we offer warm, rich and inclusive learning environments which are flexible, responsive and foster the agency of each child.
With a focus on inquiry
based learning, students at the ELC are invited to play a pivotal role in establishing and guiding in-depth focused learning.
This year, the ELC has focused on “Connections to Land and Country” and “The Human Body”, with endless opportunities for learning and engagement in our play-based program.
The Kindergarten program is modelled on the Reggio Emilia approach which also recognises the value of play-based learning and the value of learning through “doing”. We promote the development of strong capable and resilient citizens.
The Kindergarten includes a dedicated Atelier (art room) offering opportunities to explore and discover with a variety of different art media.
ELC and Kindergarten students enjoy specialist lessons in subjects such as PE and Music. The knowledge and value we place on children’s play underpins our philosophy, practice and attitude to learning.
Working closely with our families and having an opendoor policy lends itself to occasions such as our annual Winter Solstice Rivulet Walk, Nativity Service, and “parent help” throughout the year.
Through close connections with our wider school community, our students have an opportunity to explore and expand their natural talents and passion for advocacy and connecting with our local community.
At Collegiate we also run Little Learning House, a program which welcomes children from birth to four years of age. This is a free program open to boys and girls designed to offer parents practical support and insight into play based learning. Little Learning House runs on Friday mornings.