Please refer to our enrolment page for information on how to enrol your child in the Preparatory Year, also known as Prep.
When is my child ready for Prep?
To determine eligibility for Prep, children must have turned five by June 30th of the year they are enrolling. For more details on this process, please visit the
Prep Ready Reckoner.
High expectations, inspired learning:
At Darra State School, we have a clear and collaborative vision for teaching and learning in the Early Years. This vision is shared and celebrated by our entire school community. We believe that excellent teaching practices involve allowing children to take initiative in their own learning. We value and incorporate their voices and interests into the teaching and learning process.
Our staff understands that the curriculum can be effectively implemented through engaging and hands-on experiences that utilize both the skills and interests of the children and teachers.
We provide various opportunities for different types of learning, such as play-based learning, inquiry learning, project-based learning, event-based learning, explicit instruction, and direct instruction (utilising Age Appropriate Pedagogies or AAP).
Some typical school activities that offer enjoyable learning experiences for our children include:
- Teachers using a variety of teaching strategies in a balanced manner.
- Incorporating multi-sensory activities that utilize digital technologies and different materials, focusing on the senses of touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing across all subjects and grade levels.
- Offering hands-on experiences that cater to different learning styles.
- Celebrating Book Week through dress-up and special activities.
- Participating in Under 8's Day celebrations.
- Observing Multi-cultural Day with cooking, crafts, dancing, storytelling, cultural experiences, and songs.
- Commemorating NAIDOC Day with assemblies, cultural experiences, and crafts.
- And much more!