::: Stockdale Road Primary School-Traralgon
We headed off really early one day last week and wended our way down to Gippsland to visit Stockdale Primary School in Traralgon.
It is one of four government primary schools and two church schools in this large and vibrant rural community.
They run a play based learning program here all through the school from Prep to Year 6 which they are naturally very proud of.
We were lucky enough to be able to visit both …
the Prep area and the Year 1/2 area.
We were happy to see the children were able to choose to play both inside …
and outside …
during their “active investigations” time.
During this time there was a play being rehearsed on the outside stage …
while science experiments were happening in the sand pit …
and on the water wall.
Literacy was taking place through letter and story writing …
while maths was going on with bubbles …
… exploring the concepts of large and small.
We saw lots of wonderful dramatic play …
including this cardboard box pirate ship with dress ups …
while another group of children were very busy in their camping ground…
whipping up a meal on the campfire.
There were construction areas …
maths corners …
and writing tables.
They had engaging interest areas …
including this ‘dental’ table.
Other play stations included playdough …
manipulative equipment …
cosy reading corners …
computers …
science …
and several sensory corners.
The school is looking fresh and clean with many new buildings. The new Year 5/6 building is currently being constructed and will soon be ready to go.
Beautiful native gardens …
and the Australian and Aboriginal flags greeted us …
as we entered the school from Stockdale Road.
Stockdale Road Primary School is a delightful school where the children, principal and staff made us feel extremely welcome. It is located at 7 Stockdale Road, Traralgon in the Latrobe Valley, in the City of Latrobe.
This information has been added to our Education Directory page.
Donna, how did they make that wonderful tree?!
::: It’s a beauty isn’t it Karen! It appeared to be made from really thick brown paper all twisted together. I will see if I can find another photo and upload it to our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.208951875786713.63710.121305887884646
This looks like a place full of play and learning. I was inspired as a scrolled through the pictures. Thanks!
::: It really is a wonderful learning environment Scott!
WOW, this looks amazing!
I can’t wait to decorate and create those things in my classroom
!!!
::: Hey Nikki it’s so nice to hear from you! We hope Uni’s going well. You should get down to Stocky Road some time and visit the school … it really is awesome!
It would be wonderful if everyone’s local primary school showed the same excitement about learning as this one does! Please pass on my congratulations to Stockdale Road Primary for a fantastic learning environemnt!
::: Awww that’s lovely Louise … I’m sure they’ll read this comment and feel very chuffed!
Thank-you very much for this posting I live in the latrobe city and had the opportunity to go and visit Stockdale Road Primary. As a parent and a pre service teacher it was inspirational and I look forward to next year when my child will start school there.
::: That is so great to hear Skye!
I wish that more schools had play based learning and that we(the US) could get out of this drill and practice mode we have been in. Great to see that schools can make play based learning work and work well. : ) There is hope.
::: We totally agree Kristine … More Australian schools NEED to pick this program up too!
This is truely inspiring! As a kinder and primary trained teacher, I was often sad to know that all year kids would follow a play based program at preschool and then come Prep, sometimes find themselves in a very formal classroom environment. I hope more schools embrace thie philosophy in the future.
::: We know exactly what you mean Beth BUT we’re pleased to say that a development approach to the early years in school, while not yet the ‘norm’, is certainly growing!
