At King’s, our Early Years learning (ELC-Year 2) is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach - an internationally respected philosophy of early childhood education that originated in Italy. This approach recognises children as capable, curious and full of potential, with a natural drive to explore, create and make meaning of the world around them.

Rather than following a one-size-fits-all model, Reggio-inspired learning is responsive to the interests, questions and ideas of each child. Teachers work alongside children as co-learners, designing experiences that promote discovery, collaboration, and deep thinking. Learning is often hands-on, open-ended and connected to real-world contexts, allowing children to express their understanding in many different ways - through art, movement, language, construction and more.

At King’s, this approach is supported by rich environments and specialist opportunities such as German language lessons, library, Bush School experiences, nature play, movement, creative arts and dramatic play. These experiences lay strong foundations not only for literacy and numeracy, but for problem solving, communication and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.

At King’s, we are committed to providing evidence-based, effective learning programs that support every child’s literacy journey. Across Reception-Year 5, we use Playberry Laser for our phonics and spelling instruction.

Playberry Laser is a structured, multisensory program designed to build strong foundational skills in reading and spelling. It blends synthetic phonics with proven literacy strategies, supporting students to develop accurate decoding, fluency, and word knowledge. The program is carefully sequenced to meet students at their point of need and build their confidence and capability over time.

• What is Playberry? Playberry is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, widely recognised for supporting early literacy development and students with dyslexia. It uses engaging, hands-on learning techniques to teach students the relationships between letters and sounds.
• What is Laser? Laser is a whole class teaching program that complements Playberry by building on core phonics skills with an explicit focus on spelling patterns, word structure, and vocabulary. Together, Playberry and Laser provide a consistent and comprehensive approach to literacy instruction across classrooms and intervention programs.

We continuously review and introduce programs based on current research and the evolving needs of our students. Our teaching and learning team works closely with staff to ensure that the programs we implement are the best fit for our learners, now and into the future.

Every Reception-Year 2 student at King’s will take part in a variety of programs that are embedded into the Early Years experience. These activities are designed to support learning, build confidence and create lasting memories through hands-on experiences, leadership opportunities and community connection.

Our Core Programs include:

• Buddy Program
  • Receptions and Year 5s
  • Years 1s and Year 3s
  • Year 2s and Year 12s
• Bush School
• Digital Technologies - Coding and Robotics
• Excursions
• Faith Studies
• German Language Lessons (Specialist Teacher)
• Health and Physical Education (Specialist Teacher)
• Library Program (Specialist Teacher)
• Patch to Plate Cooking & Gardening Program (Specialist Teacher)
• Performing Arts (Specialist Teacher)
• Sports Day
• Student Leader Program
• Swimming Week
• Year 2 Sleepover
• Year 2 Strings Program

At King’s, we believe some of the most powerful learning happens beyond the classroom. Our students are given every opportunity to discover who they are and what ignites their passion. We see the whole world as a source of wonder and a place where each student can make a meaningful contribution.

Through a wide range of co-curricular and service learning programs, students are encouraged to explore new interests, build friendships, and grow in confidence. We believe every child has God-given talents to be nurtured, and our co-curricular opportunities are designed to develop those gifts, helping students deepen their skills and flourish in all areas of life.

Our Co-Curricular opportunities include:

• Dance for Fun
• Instrumental Lessons
  • Piano (from Reception)
  • Drums (from Year 1)
  • Guitar (from Year 2)
  • Cello (from Year 2)
  • Violin/Viola (from Year 2)
• King's Dance Teams (from Year 2)
• Lego Club
• Sporting Skills Programs
  • Auskick - Football
  • Aussie Hoops - Basketball
  • Kelly Sports - Multi-Sports
  • KICKstart - Soccer
  • Net Attack - Netball

• Weekly Sporting Teams (from Year 2)
  • Basketball
  • Cricket
  • Futsal
  • Netball

The Early Years Buddy Program creates meaningful connections between our youngest students and the wider school community. In this warm and supportive initiative, Reception students are paired with Year 5 buddies, while Year 2 students are partnered with the Year 12s.

The Year 5 buddies help guide the Receptions through the beginning of their school journey, showing them what it means to be part of "Big School" and helping to build their confidence along the way. The Year 2 students forge a special bond with the Year 12s, who share the wisdom they’ve gained throughout their time at King’s as they prepare for their own next chapter in life. The Year 12s host a variety of fun events and activities for their younger buddies throughout the year, creating joyful memories for both year levels.

The Buddy Program fosters strong relationships, builds confidence and ensures that each young student feels connected and supported as they grow. The bonds formed through this program help our Early Years students navigate new experiences, while older students develop leadership and empathy as they take on the role of role models. This sense of connection across year levels reinforces the strong community spirit at the heart of King’s, promoting both personal growth and a shared sense of belonging.

At King’s, our vision is to authentically prepare students for the future, and this commitment begins during their Early Years journey. We recognise the importance of nurturing students to become digitally literate citizens who are critical and creative thinkers, equipped to tackle unknown problems through systems, design and computational thinking.

Children in Reception-Year 2 are introduced to a number of tools that spark their exploration of digital technologies, with a particular focus on coding activities. By engaging with non-screen technologies, young learners are empowered to become creators of technology, not just consumers. This hands-on approach encourages curiosity and innovation, laying the groundwork for their future learning in a rapidly-evolving digital landscape.

This foundational learning experience paves the way for students to gradually embrace more advanced digital technologies as they transition from the Early Years to Junior School. They will explore robotics training, and eventually screen-based tools such as iPads, enhancing their understanding of engineering, programming principles and collaborative coding projects.

At King’s, students are introduced to the benefits of a healthy, active life through specialist Health and Physical Education lessons. Beginning in Reception, children participate in twice-weekly lessons with a specialist teacher, where they learn the value of risk-taking, teamwork and pushing their personal boundaries in a safe and supportive environment.

These lessons foster a comprehensive understanding of wellbeing, covering topics such as physical fitness, nutrition, sleep and faith expression. Students engage in both individual and team sports, utilising our state-of-the-art sporting facilities. Special events, including a week-long swimming program and the Reception-Year 2 Sports Day, offer additional opportunities for growth and celebration. Throughout all activities, the school’s FISHER principles are woven into the fabric of learning, ensuring that students not only strive for excellence in sport, but also embody the values that King’s is built upon.

For those with a passion and talent for sport, this focus on physical education provides a pathway to higher levels of competition, beginning with participation in SACSA competitions as they move on to the Junior School. At every stage, we aim to nurture each child’s God-given gifts and talents, helping them reach their full potential.

The Kimochis® wellbeing program fosters a nurturing environment for our Early Years students, prioritising emotional intelligence and mental wellness. Through engaging activities, students are introduced to a broad range of emotions, learning to recognise and express their feelings using age-appropriate tools and terms.

The use of Kimochis® helps young learners cultivate respect and empathy for others by encouraging students to understand and connect with their own emotions, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the feelings of others. By embracing the Kimochis® program, children are empowered to navigate life’s challenges with compassion and confidence, laying the foundation for a brighter and more emotionally aware future.

The use of Kimochis® at King’s begins in the ELC and continues into our Reception-Year 2 classrooms, creating a seamless continuum of emotional learning and development throughout the child’s formative years.

The Patch to Plate program introduces Reception-Year 2 students to the wonders of growing and preparing their own food. Children engage in hands-on activities as they plant, nurture and harvest a variety of produce in our on-site garden, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and the food they eat. Through this process, students explore the diverse tastes, textures and nutritional value of fresh ingredients, while learning the importance of sustainable practices.

The program goes beyond the garden and into the kitchen, where students integrate key concepts such as science, maths and literacy while preparing healthy meals in our purpose-built community kitchen. Guided by a specialist educator, children follow recipes, measure ingredients and apply critical thinking as they transform school-grown produce into nutritious dishes. They develop important life skills, such as reading and comprehending – and sometimes developing – recipes while maintaining hygienic food preparation practices. The lessons culminate in a shared class meal, where students enjoy the fruits of their labour and experience the variety of flavours they helped bring to life.

Patch to Plate nurtures curiosity, promotes healthy eating habits and instils a strong sense of environmental stewardship, offering students a holistic understanding of food.

The Year 2 Strings program enhances King’s’ rich Performing Arts curriculum, offering students their first specialist instrumental lessons within the school day. As part of this immersive program, students are introduced to the fundamentals of playing a string instrument, with the option to learn the violin, viola, cello or double bass. Under the guidance of skilled educators, children develop foundational skills in technique, music reading and performance, expanding their confidence and self-expression in collaboration with their peers.

The program culminates in the highly-anticipated Year 2 Strings Recital Night, where families are invited to celebrate their child’s musical achievements in our state-of-the-art Auditorium, with a special performance that showcases the progress made throughout the year.

For students who show a strong interest in strings, the learning can continue beyond the classroom through co-curricular instrumental lessons. These one-on-one sessions with a specialist instrumental teacher are offered weekly, with instrument hire available for the violin, viola and cello, providing ongoing support for those eager to further their musical journey at King’s.