Inquiry Learning in Kindy and Prep

This term our Kindy children began wondering what kindness looks like in everyday life. Their questions soon turned to flowers, floristry and the simple joy of giving. With gentle guidance and plenty of room to lead, the children set up their own Kindy Kindness Florist.

In the florist, children take orders, design bouquets, write messages and deliver their creations to people across our School. Each step grows real-world skills. Counting stems builds number sense. Choosing colours and textures develops aesthetic judgment. Writing cards strengthens early literacy. Most importantly, the act of gifting nurtures empathy, connection and care.

The Kindy team of Miss De Jong, Miss Lumbus and Miss Griffiths have championed the children’s ideas at every turn. They ask open questions, model language, provide materials and then step back so children can test, try and discover. The florist has become a living classroom where creativity blooms and kindness takes root. You can see it in the careful hands tying ribbon, in the proud smiles at pick-up time, in the way children speak about making someone’s day brighter. It is inquiry learning with purpose and joy.

Bush School is a cornerstone of our outdoor inquiry program developed with Educated by Nature. Over the years, students across the early years have discovered that our campus is not just a backdrop but a teacher in itself.

At Bush School, puddles, sticks and stones become tools for experimentation. Science concepts like push and pull are explored through pulleys and water play. Group projects evolve into cubbies, clay art studios and imaginative shops built from natural materials. Along the way, children learn to collaborate, solve problems and create sustainably.

Each week is different, shaped by the season, the weather and the children’s ideas. What remains constant is the sense of wonder. Students finish their sessions with wide smiles, muddy knees and a deeper connection to nature.

Our youngest learners, aged 0 to 3, can share in this approach through Bush Playgroup, offered throughout the year. Set on the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), these sessions invite families to explore, play and discover together in a calming outdoor setting. Through sensory play, guided exploration and free discovery, children begin building skills and connections that will shape a lifelong love of learning.