Attaining the core literacy and numeracy skills is essential, but so too is the application of these skills in experiential based learning scenarios where girls learn by doing. This might include the turning of traditional nursery stories on their head to write fractured fairy tales or exploring the imagery of text in a sophisticated novel such as The Book Thief.
Our experiential learning approach draws elements from the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early learning that recognises the importance of the voice of the child and the importance of learning through experiencing, exploring and interacting.
Our classroom and specialist teachers provide opportunities to learn by doing, take risks and apply new skills to ensure that every girl is stimulated and challenged to achieve her best.
Our physical surroundings have a profound impact on our capacity to learn. Our architecturally designed classrooms are light filled and technology rich, while the Abbotsleigh Centre for Environmental Education and the Grace Cossington Smith Gallery offer exciting and authentic learning opportunities for all girls.
Abbotsleigh Junior School offers an inspiring academic culture, a happy environment that values creative thinking and diversity, and a supportive Christian context. Outside, there is plenty of room to run, play, explore, invent and imagine, with everything from cubby areas, scootering spaces and reflective gardens to a sports oval and outdoor heated swimming pool.
Fundamental to learning in the Junior School is the establishment of highly proficient literacy and numeracy skills to support the development of critical thinking, deep learning and higher order conceptual understandings.
To ensure your daughter’s educational needs are met we undertake an assessment of all girls as they enter the Junior School. We develop a strong understanding of your child’s areas of strength and those needing support. Our teaching is then differentiated to allow each girl to be challenged and stimulated in her learning journey.
The delivery of activities that establish highly proficient literacy and numeracy skills is the core focus of class teachers. The girls also enjoy additional support from the specialist Literacy and Mathematics teachers and teachers’ assistants who work in the room.
Children already demonstrating competence in basic skills are challenged to apply this core knowledge in investigation and extension tasks while those needing additional time