Foundation College: A Strong Start for Young Learners
Pacific Lutheran College’s early childhood program lays a strong foundation for young learners. Spanning Prep to Year 2, the Foundation College offers a warm, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children thrive.
Key features of Pacific’s Foundation College include:
- Engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences with a strong focus on literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving.
- A values-based learning environment that nurtures emotional and physical wellbeing while fostering imagination and creativity.
- Strong partnerships with parents to support and enrich each child’s learning journey.
- Dedicated teacher aides in every classroom, providing additional support and guidance.
- Specialist early childhood educators who collaborate across year levels to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for student
Prep - Nurturing and Stimulating Inquiry
Prep is the first formal year of schooling at Pacific Lutheran College. Students are engaged in stimulating and developmentally appropriate activities in a vibrant environment. Creativity is nurtured and acknowledged to foster confidence and independence.
A strong foundation in literacy is essential for lifelong learning. The Science of Reading underpins our evidence-based approach to teaching early literacy skills, ensuring students develop strong phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Through structured and explicit instruction, students build the skills necessary for confident reading and writing.
Prep students are challenged and supported to develop the skills and attributes to achieve their goals and passions. The Australian Curriculum forms the basis for lessons in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, and The Arts. Pastoral Care teaches the key skills that aid intellectual and social development.
The Teaching for Understanding framework underpins the teaching philosophy at Pacific. Through differentiated and supportive programs, each child develops a range of complex skills pertinent to their individual level of maturity and ability. Play is enhanced in an imaginative and flexible classroom and playground environment.
The support of parents in their child’s education is welcomed and valued. A positive student, parent, and teacher relationship is a vital component in attaining successful learning outcomes.
As students enter the College, they bring with them a wealth of experiences and a range of understandings. Our academic program caters to all levels of development, allowing students to progress through the teaching and learning process in a rewarding manner.
Each Prep class has one teacher and a trained learning assistant, who works closely with the teacher to support both the academic and the social and emotional development of each student.
Prep students participate in specialist lessons in Music, Japanese, and Physical Education and visit the Library weekly.
Years 1-2 - Opening Exciting New Worlds Together
This exciting period is characterised by rapid development. Building on the strong foundations established in Prep, Year 1-2 students experience a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment. With a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, students continue to develop foundational skills that open new worlds of learning.
Evidence-based literacy instruction, guided by the Science of Reading, ensures students build strong decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills. Systematic phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, and language-rich experiences are embedded in daily learning. In numeracy, students develop deep conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and confidence with numbers.
Beyond literacy and numeracy, children engage in Science, HASS, the Arts, and Technology, including introductory coding. The nationally developed Christian Studies program fosters student understanding of Christianity while laying the foundation for knowledge of other world religions.
At this stage of a child’s learning journey, partnerships with parents are particularly critical. Once formally trained, parents are welcome to assist teachers in the classroom on a rostered basis. Through guidance from teachers, parents are encouraged to support their child’s literacy and numeracy development at home. To assist this process, the College offers formal training to equip parents with strategies aligned with our instructional approach. Regular and detailed reporting enables parents to monitor and support their child’s progress.
Specialist staff in Health and Physical Education, Japanese, and Music enrich each child’s learning. Involvement in sporting carnivals, concerts, excursions, and extracurricular activities further expands learning opportunities. Linkages with older students and specialist staff in the Middle and Senior College provide unique learning experiences beyond the Foundation Years.
PACIFIC WAY
Me
As individuals our student are guided to embrace Pacific Way, by fostering a culture of independence, responsibility, and reflection. As learners, we approach challenges with curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to take risks, knowing that growth comes through problem-solving and perseverance. Grounded in Christian faith, we live with grace, extending and accepting forgiveness. Through outdoor learning, we deepen our connection with nature, reflect on our experiences, and embrace new challenges that build resilience and a spirit of adventure.
Pacific Way
We
Together, Pacific Way fosters a culture of collaboration built on respect, care, and inclusivity. As individuals, we value and support one another with kindness and understanding. As learners, we listen, appreciate different perspectives, and celebrate each other's potential. Grounded in Christian faith, we show care through prayer, service, and acts of compassion. Through outdoor learning, we strengthen our communication, initiative, and leadership skills, working together to grow and thrive in nature.
Pacific Way
See
By connecting to our conviction and the service of others, Pacific Way nurtures a compassionate heart through faith, service, and a deep connection with the world around us. As individuals, we grow through humility, forgiveness, and a spirit of grace. As learners, we recognize the importance of compassion and actively serve our community. Grounded in Christian faith, we seek stillness, wisdom, and renewal through God’s Word and Spirit. Through outdoor learning, we develop a love for nature by learning in, about, and for the environment, fostering a sense of stewardship and wonder.
Pacific Way
Beacons
Pacific Way Beacons serve as guiding principles that illuminate the values, expectations, and distinctive experiences at each year level. These beacons shape a shared understanding of character, learning, and community, providing students with a clear sense of purpose and belonging as they progress through their educational journey. By embedding the Pacific Way into everyday experiences, these beacons help cultivate a culture of respect, responsibility, and growth, ensuring that each year level has meaningful touchpoints that reflect the essence of our school’s identity.
Pacific Way
Junior College
The Junior College supports children as they shift from ‘learning to read’ to ‘reading to learn’. Learning experiences take into account the increased importance of peers and higher levels of cognitive skills including the ability to become increasingly self-reflective and outward looking.
Middle College
The Middle College program aims to provide a challenging, stimulating and supportive environment as young people move into adolescence.
Senior College
Continuing the strong academic focus, the Senior years are seen as preparation for life beyond school.
As young adults within the College, Senior students will be encouraged to play a leading role both at school and in the wider community. Increasingly, senior students take on the roles of lead...
