From the moment three-year-olds step through the doors of Gippsland Grammar’s Early Learning Centre (ELC) at the school’s Bairnsdale Campus, they begin a seamless educational journey that can carry them right through to VCE.
Offering seamless transitions and purpose-built programs that grow with the students as they move from the ELC to the junior campus and then onto the Garnsey senior campus in Sale, Gippsland Grammar is helping young people find their purpose and fulfil their dreams.
Acting principal Bo Power said the school’s century-long legacy has always been about opening doors.
“We don’t want a boring life for your child; we want a life of possibility and connection where young people are encouraged to give anything a go,” Mr Power said.
“Our curriculum, beginning in the ELC, is designed to prepare the region’s future leaders.”
Those foundations start with age-specific kindergarten groups in the school’s two ELCs at Bairnsdale and Sale.
Three-year-old ‘reception’ children attend two full days a week, while four-year-old ‘transition’ children attend three days.
Small class sizes allow highly-skilled teachers to meet each child’s needs, recognising that 90 per cent of brain development happens before age five.
“There are key things children need to learn at three compared with four,” ELC director Lisa Burgess said.
“Our calm, nurturing environments and purposeful teaching ensure no child is overwhelmed and every child thrives.”
Daily ELC programs weave together the arts, science, mathematics, language and sustainability, and are enriched by weekly music, Japanese, library and a Perceptual Motor Program.
The school’s acclaimed need to read early-literacy framework begins in kindergarten and continues through junior and senior years, giving students a consistent approach to learning long after they leave the ELC.
A much-loved feature is the buddy system, which pairs four-year-old transition students with year five mentors.
“Our year five students model what it means to belong to Gippsland Grammar,” Mrs Burgess said. “Those relationships
last into foundation, year seven and even year 12, giving younger children friendly faces and older students valuable leadership experience.”
For families balancing work and study, the ELC offers after-school care until 6pm and when children graduate to primary and secondary years they keep the same uniform, values, friends and – often – teachers.
Old Scholar Eden McMillan, who began her schooling at the Bairnsdale Campus’s ELC and finished year 12 in 2022, credits that continuity with giving her the confidence to pursue a double degree in nursing and paramedicine.
“The Gippsland Grammar community helped me feel connected and brave enough to push myself to learn and try new things, while discovering myself and ultimately finding my life purpose,” she said.
Gippsland Grammar also offers boarding from year seven, a daily private bus service across East Gippsland, and personalised campus tours by appointment.
Head of Admissions Jade Willox said families appreciate knowing their children can remain in one supportive environment from their first day of kindergarten to their final VCE exam.
“It’s a privilege to partner with parents
for the full journey,” she said.
