GROWING enrolments have inspired an innovative new Prep space at Athol Road Primary School.
The Springvale school will have 72 Preppies in its classrooms this year, 20 more than last year.
“This high enrolment presented a dilemma,” principal Ruby Toombs said.
“No space in the old Prep environment for the increased enrolment.”
So the school council approved converting the four classrooms into one large open learning space, dubbed the Foundation Learning Space.
“The exciting, open flexible space is a place where our youngest students can make decisions, solve problems, develop thinking skills, collaborate, communicate and develop a positive sense of self,” Ms Toombs said.
“Students and teachers work together to explore, observe, ask questions, discuss observations and seek answers about everyday experiences.”
Preps can access the school’s vegetable garden but also have their own mini-garden where they can consolidate what they learn in environmental education lessons.
South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich last week announced that the school would receive $10,000 for its on-site kindergarten.
She said it would help to construct an outdoor covered learning area.
