An expanded pre-Prep program in Brisbane’s east, which includes closer ties to local kindergartens, is giving parents the tools to prepare their children for school.
St John Vianney’s Primary School, in the bayside suburb of Manly, has built on the success of previous orientation mornings.
Assistant Principal Religious Education Carmel Smith said the Brisbane Catholic Education school had reimagined the way it would prepare its 2025 Prep cohort and their families.
Ms Smith said the expanded program included Prep Play and Stay afternoons in Term 2, parent education workshops alongside three orientation sessions in Term 3, while Term 4 saw the Pre-Preps borrow library books.
“The new program focuses on evaluating students to create well-balanced and supportive classrooms, while also providing parents with the tools and knowledge to confidently prepare their children for Prep,” she said.
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Ms Smith said as part of the expansion ties were strengthened with local kindergartens, including partnerships with Treehouse Early Learning Manly and Wings Early Learning Manly.
“As part of this initiative, our Year 6 students alternated weekly visits to these centres throughout Term 3 to take part in play-based activities with the kindergarteners, fostering connections and building a sense of community between future learners and senior scholars.
“These visits allow our kindergarteners to become familiar with the idea of big school in an environment that feels comfortable and reassuring.”
She said the school also invited the kindergarten students for orientation sessions and afternoon Stay and Play sessions, supported by the school’s Parents and Friends group.
“During the orientation sessions, children can explore their classroom and participate in activities like puzzles, drawing, writing, and outdoor play,” Ms Smith said.
“By the time they start Prep, many children are already familiar with their surroundings and routines, making for a smooth start to the school year.”
She said because the transition to school affected the entire family, the school had introduced parent education sessions to coincide with the Pre-Preps’ orientation.
“Topics for parents range from literacy, and mathematics preparation, to emotional resilience. These gatherings also provide a social opportunity for parents to connect and feel part of the school community from the get-go.”
St John Vianney’s Primary School Prep parent Ashleigh Zarif said her son, Cooper, was “so excited to join his brothers at big school”.
“The Pre-Prep program is such a wonderful way to introduce young children to school life—it is relaxed, structured, and sets everyone up for success,” Ms Zarif said.
“I love how the program helps kids meet their teachers and new friends before school even starts—it eases the nerves for kids and parents alike.”
St John Vianney’s Primary School Manly is now accepting Prep enrolments for 2026.
