We visited Manchester Primary School and did a post on them for our Education Directory earlier in the year.

A few weeks ago one of their Prep teachers, Helen, invited us to return to check out their brand spanking new, custom-made building especially designed to accommodate their Preps, Year 1 and Year 2 children.

It was all made possible through the ‘Government Economic Stimulus Grant’.

WOW!!! They have only been in it this term, so just four weeks when we arrived.

They don’t have all their storage sorted as yet, but still they are looking very settled and comfortable.

You’ve got to love new carpet, check out all their shoes lined up.

There will be lots of slippered feet around here until the outside play area is completed!

They cater for all of their Prep to Year 2 children, 150 children in all, in this one building, one of the joys being that they are able to pool resources instead of doubling up on them, another being that teachers’ colleagues are right at hand for support – very important, and something that many preschool teachers miss out on.

The first thing that struck us was how huge this complex is and depite this, with so many children working at once, the noise was just a gorgeous, busy hubbub.

It has a magnificent central area which is the combined passageway, common meeting/working/playing area.

There was a Junior Age newspaper reporting office smack bang in the middle …

which came about through the interests of the children, as a means of communication.

While we were there we were interviewed for our opinion on the wearing of school uniforms – compulsory or not compulsory. Power to the children we say!!

They have an amazing bank of computer work stations all around the central hub …

and plenty of wall space for lots of respectful art displays, just like this one.

Huge box contructions were happening all over the place …

along with these brilliant robots, all made from recycled bibs and bobs.

While most of the Prep children’s play and learning …

takes place inside their conjoined classrooms …

there is always plenty of space for them to spill out into the common area if need be.

We love how these children have access to digital microscopes …

 and this terrific dramatic play cafe area is so nice and large, meaning the children can really get into the spirit of the play.

We were able to chat with the children over all levels – Prep, one and two and found that they were not only all totally engaged, they were also able to tell us exactly what they were doing, why they were doing it and where they were heading with their project. Pretty spectaular! Play – the joy of self discovery!!!

All the open fronted classrooms come off this central area, as well as storerooms, offices …

reading recovery room, dramatic play area, kitchen and so on.

We noticed the children were able to chomp on fresh fruit any time they liked. It comes from another Government grant called “Fruit in Schools”. What a great idea.

The garden is a work in progress, but coming along nicely with the children being enthusiastic helpers!

Manchester Primary School comes under the Shire of Yarra Ranges and is located in Monomeith St, Mooroolbark – Victoria (melway reference: 37 F8).

This information has been added to our Education Directory page.