Clayfield Pre-Prep
Centre History
CONNECTING CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH LEARNING
Originally Established in 1953
Prior to moving to the 28 Bayview Terrace site, Clayfield Pre-Prep was located under a hall opposite the St Columb’s Anglican Church in Victoria Street, Clayfield.
The children were very happy in the kindergarten space they had however it was felt by the Committee at the time that it would be good to move to larger, more permanent premises with better facilities and more space for the children to run & play outside.
Through fundraising in the community and utilising funds previously saved by the kindergarten, the property at 28 Bayview Terrace was bought in 1962. The original house on the land was a Queenslander with 4 flats which the Committee felt would be ideal for a double unit kindergarten. The 1300+ square metres also meant there was ample space for the children to run and play outdoors. There was more fundraising undertaken by the Committee to purchase everything needed to operate a wonderful kindergarten for the local children and it continued to operate here until one Sunday night in December 1969, the kindergarten building unfortunately burned down.
Luckily the kindergarten was insured so the Committee was able to build a new Centre – this is the building we currently use today.
Mr Peter Dowling, who was a kindergarten parent at the time and also an architect, kindly volunteered his time to design the current building. The children attended a make-do kindergarten in a local church hall until the new building was built in 1970 and commenced operation in February 1971.
The new Centre was officially opened on 19 June 1971 by Mr John Murray MBE MLA. In 2007, the Centre became a Pre-prep when the Queensland Government introduced the Prep year in primary schools under the current school system.
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We would like to thank the past and present Centre Committees, families and friends who have contributed to making the Clayfield Pre-prep Bayview Terrace the wonderful Centre that it is today.
News and Events
The Renovation at Pre-Prep
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Prior to renovation
After renovation
In 2021 we undertook a major renovation to Clayfield Pre-Prep. The renovation was a few years in the planning, and then construction through most of 2021. This upstairs space will be multi-functional and its use will evolve and be a wonderful asset.
A local architect, George Kouparitsas, inspired by children’s books, designed a wonderful façade for our Kindergarten. Cement pillars bitten by “the hungry caterpillar” and vines growing down from the roof like in “the secret garden” and “where the wild things are”
This wonderful design offers more than just looks. It refines the purpose and aspiration our early childhood centre and improves how it works. It creates inspiring places and greater, lasting financial value. And of course, our building also looks and feels good. It also supports the health and wellbeing of staff and families and plays a role in nurturing a sense of curiosity for new knowledge and skills, encouraging exploration of the surrounding environment.
We are so proud of this beautiful design, and we are very glad that can it be enjoyed both by students, families, and the broader community.
Clayfield Pre-Prep Global Citizenship resource
What does it mean to be a global citizen?
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A global citizen is someone who understands that we are all connected, and who cares for people, places, and the planet. They are part of their local community and the wider world, and they try to make it both more fair, peaceful, and sustainable.
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Even our youngest learners can begin to explore these ideas. Through simple, hands-on experiences, children can learn to care for each other, respect differences, and take responsibility for the world around them.
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Why global citizenship in early childhood?
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Our world is more connected than ever before. Technology, travel, and trade mean that even small actions can have an impact far beyond our own community. By fostering global awareness early, we help children to:
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develop empathy and kindness,
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appreciate diversity and fairness, and
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understand how their choices affect the world.
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Global citizenship learning encourages children to think critically, act with compassion, and build caring relationships which are essential skills for lifelong learning.... CONTINUED ON IN RESOURCE..
Library with Miss Amanda
Each week, the children visit the library, upstairs at Clayfield Pre-Prep.
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This beautiful room was part of the renovation in 2021…. and we are so proud to be able to offer this beautiful learning space to the children.
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Mrs Amanda takes each group of children once a week for a library lesson. Amanda’s ‘teaching hat’ is one that she enjoys very much. As you know, being read to is a very important aspect of any curriculum, and this is also an opportunity for Amanda to get to know all the children.
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Our library session starts with a welcome.
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Then we read a story together. We might also do some songs, poetry, fingerplays and/ or use puppets.
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The children are then able to take time to look and choose a book to borrow to take home for the coming week.
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One of the teachers writes on the card from the book to keep at Pre-Prep
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And finally, we do some quiet reading for 5 minutes.
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The children will learn very quickly about the library rules. They include….
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We must talk very quietly in the library.
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To borrow a book, we MUST have a library bag. (If you have borrowed one from Pre-Prep, please return to your teacher as soon as you have one of your own) Any bag that will protect the book is suitable.
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You can only borrow a book if…. you have returned the book from the previous week, and you have brought your library bag.
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What are the benefits of visiting a Library?
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Public libraries have traditionally offered early literacy programming to preschool children in the form of story times. Using a wide range of high-quality picture books, songs, poetry, fingerplays, puppets and crafts, public libraries have been making literacy fun! They have created inviting spaces for children to enjoy literacy-rich, hands-on experiences in an interactive and caring environment. We aim to replicate this in our Pre-Prep Library.
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By capturing a child’s interest and imagination early, we believe that this helps children discover that libraries and literacy can be an enjoyable and a valued part of their lives. We also believe that young children who become regular library users will benefit from the meaningful early literacy experiences available through story times. We also believe that this will allow children to further develop early literacy, communication, and social skills.
We will look forward to welcoming your child to the Pre-Prep library.
Your teacher will let you know which day is your library day.
Clayfield Pre-Prep Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Vision for Reconciliation
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Reconciliation for us at Clayfield Pre-Prep means a commitment to ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are welcome, included and safe in all aspects of the community. Reconciliation is an opportunity for educators and teachers at Clayfield Pre-Prep to prompt open discussions, broaden views, build cultural capacities and address social justice through individual and shared pursuits of learning with a collaborative approach with children, families and the wider community.
We are committed to building relationships with whilst listening and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners and Knowledge Holders and ensure the service is embedding cultural awareness, safety and responsiveness.
We will endeavour to inspire, educate and lead those within our sphere of influence to ensure an authentic contribution to Reconciliation.
We will continue to strive to improve pedagogical practice and create an environment of equal opportunity and safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
We will strive to continue to educate and share what we know with those within our sphere of influence.
Acknowledgement statement
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Clayfield Pre Prep acknowledges and pays its respects to the Traditional Custodians of the Lands on which we live and work and honour their continuing connections to land, sea and community. Clayfield Pre Prep respects all Elders past, present and emerging.
Clayfield Pre-Prep acknowledges the Turrbal tribe as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the Lands of Clayfield. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this Country. We aim to respect the cultural heritages, customs and beliefs of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Reconciliation Action plan is a working document and the RAP action plan team work closely and in conjunction with Narragunnawali. This vision and acknowledgement is documented in the Clayfield Pre-Prep published RAP.
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