More than an education, our Junior Schools engage children in learning that is purposeful, relevant and promotes the development of the whole child.
Foundation to Year 2
Learning in the early years is filled with curiosity, play, a broadening of their safe world, and a healthy appetite for learning. At Woodleigh, PYP education aims to uncover and develop the best in every child as an inquirer, both inside the classroom and out in the world.
The foundations of literacy are developed in the early years of schooling with a strong emphasis on phonemic awareness and language development. In numeracy, children are exposed to real-life experiences that help them make sense of the world of mathematics through problem-solving and numeracy development.
In these very exciting and crucial years, teachers work alongside their young students, meet with small groups and individuals as needed, monitor learning and collate thorough feedback.
A Strong Foundation
Beginning school is a significant shift in our littlest cohort's daily lives. The transition must be positive and enriching. At Woodleigh, we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging so that each child feels known and supported as they embark on their journey through school, through connecting with others and experiencing a safe, but broader world.
Join us at Woodleigh School and give your child the strong foundation they need for a successful school experience.
Years 3 & 4
Teaching and learning during these years focus heavily on increasing student voice and agency, acquiring essential skills for research, critical and creative thinking, and exploring big ideas that matter. Our commitment to the holistic development of every student means that alongside academic rigour, there is a maturing of independent young people with developing skills of self-management and collaboration. Overall, students are better prepared to take sound ownership of their learning and move confidently through the following stages of their education.
Starting in Year 5
The pace of education shifts up a gear in Year 5 as students move into leadership positions, take on additional challenges and open up to the possibilities that their learning journey will offer. A wide range of programs and real-world experiences mean that Years 5 students at Woodleigh discover and follow their passions while growing in a culture of mutual respect, cultural freedom and inclusion.
Years 5 & 6
As our students progress through their International Baccalaureate junior school years, they accumulate skills and knowledge to fortify their future learning. By Year 5, they are ready for more significant challenges with new energy. It is when they open up to the possibilities their learning journey can offer, take on greater responsibilities and harness their sense of self.
Life at our Junior Schools
The Woodleigh Difference
The Woodleigh experience is deeply interconnected and nuanced. We champion a progressive education, one that inspires creative and critical thinking and a passion for lifelong learning. Our innovative curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Here are just some of the fundamental elements that underpin Woodleigh's teaching and learning ecosystem:
Purposeful Learning Design
The educational journey from Early Childhood to Year 12 is designed to be a vital and engaging experience, with learning programs that are student-centred, reflect real-life applications and foster holistic development.
Our curriculum and programs are intentionally interconnected and thoughtfully designed to prepare students. Students experience PYP in both Early Childhood and Junior School, and as they move into Senior School they experience MYP, RFP and VCE.
Living Compassionately
Compassion is at the heart of everything we do at Woodleigh School. As a community of leaders, respect and understanding guides our choices, our interactions and our relationships. We aim to motivate our students, teachers and our connected community to move through their lives with empathy and kindness.
For A Regenerative Future
We are dedicated to cultivating a regenerative future and instilling a deep respect for the environment in which we live and work. Our students, through integrated learning principles, take on a regenerative mindset. They become adept at assuming long-term solutions and healthy systems, aspiring to create and generate more than they use and take. Through sustainable practices and eco-conscious education, Woodleigh School empowers the next generation to become stewards of themselves and the planet.
In A Home Away From Home
Woodleigh School offers a nurturing environment that feels like a home away from home. Our close-knit community fosters a safe space for a powerful sense of belonging with a structured Homestead Program, where every student is valued and supported, allowing them to grow with confidence and self-assurance.
On Your Journey Through Life
Woodleigh School is committed to supporting students on their journey through life towards adulthood. From early childhood to graduation and beyond, we provide experiences, resources and guidance necessary for each student to discover their path and knowing themselves, engage fully with their lives and potential.
Student numbers at both Minimbah and Penbank are small by design and allow for effective differentiation in learning styles. A full range of specialist programs including Art, Sport and PE, Music, Dance and Drama, Library and LOTE are offered to all students at our Junior School.
An After School Program is available for children from 3.20pm to 6.00pm each afternoon. Camp Australia is the service provider of the program and parents wishing to utilise this service should contact them directly prior to school commencing to arrange bookings.
Co-curricular Activities
Part of our real-world learning philosophy is to encourage our students to engage with co-curricular opportunities within their own local communities. A small number co-curricular activities are also available to students in Woodleigh's Junior School, strongly informed by student interests from year to year:
