At Wanguri Primary, we recognise that young children come to us with varied but rich family experiences. We believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in purposeful learning experiences. Our strong emphasis on the development of the whole child builds upon the child’s existing skills with a range and balance of teaching approaches and characteristics of quality teaching.

Teachers are supported to align curriculum, age-appropriate pedagogies and assessment to maximise children’s engagement in learning and to enhance outcomes. The Australian Curriculum and Early Years Learning Framework clearly defines what is to be taught, and teachers use their knowledge of children’s interests, strengths and capabilities to identify the most effective way to teach curriculum content.

 

All children experience learning that is engaging
and builds success for life.

Fundamental to the Framework is a view of children’s lives as characterised by belonging, being and
becoming. From before birth children are connected to family, community, culture and place. Their
earliest development and learning takes place through these relationships, particularly within families,
who are children’s first and most influential educators. As children participate in everyday life, they
develop interests and construct their own identities and understandings of the world.

BELONGING

Experiencing belonging – knowing where and with whom you belong – is integral to human existence.
Children belong first to a family, a cultural group, a neighbourhood and a wider community. Belonging
acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the basis of relationships in defining
identities. In early childhood, and throughout life, relationships are crucial to a sense of belonging.
Belonging is central to being and becoming in that it shapes who children are and who they can become.

BEING

Childhood is a time to be, to seek and make meaning of the world.
Being recognises the significance of the here and now in children’s lives. It is about the present and
them knowing themselves, building and maintaining relationships with others, engaging with life’s joys
and complexities, and meeting challenges in everyday life. The early childhood years are not solely
preparation for the future but also about the present.

BECOMING

Children’s identities, knowledge, understandings, capacities, skills and relationships change during
childhood. They are shaped by many different events and circumstances. Becoming reflects this
process of rapid and significant change that occurs in the early years as young children learn and grow.
It emphasises learning to participate fully and actively in society.

INVESTIGATIONS

At Wanguri Primary, you will see in all EY classes at various times throughout the week where the children are investigating. This program ensures that classrooms are filled with highly motivated children who are learning how to learn with a mix of active investigation and formalised instruction alongside opportunities for greater levels of decision-making, choice, active participation and a wide range of mediums to explore, learn and acquire skills. Investigations involve the careful planning of play-based environments and resources that link with both the Australian curriculum / Early Years Learning Framework and interests and wonderings of our early years students.