Extra curricular

Bush School

Bush School is a nature-based outdoor education program inspired by the Scandinavian approach to early childhood education known as Forest Schools. Since 2014, John Brotchie has successfully led our Bush School program, providing enriching experiences for our children.

Our approach emphasises regular outdoor time in nature, in all weather. Children engage in child-initiated play within a local nature parkland, fostering a deep connection to the environment and encouraging exploration and discovery.

Bush School is part of our preschool program; you need to be enrolled and attend our preschool program to attend Bush School.

Music Program

Singing, dancing and movement is embedded in our daily curriculum. Teachers use singing to support transitions, group times and learning. You will hear singing at different times of the day and the children learn many new songs when attending John Brotchie. In our daily routine we have music and movement group time which is usually at the end of the day. These group times are planned and led by the teacher. they include a variety of activites including, singing, dancing, percussive instruments, circle games, and movement activities.

We also have a specialist music teacher- Fiz Halsey.  Fiz is an experienced early childhood teacher and a talented musician. She plays the piano, guitar and ukelele. Fiz works once a week, as well as running music grouptimes with the children she also mentors the teachers, so to support our music program across the whole week.

Art Program

We believe the visual arts is a language the children can use to communicate their ideas, feelings, creativity and understanding. Our art program is integrated into our play-based curriculum and linked closely to the children's interests, conversations, play and projects.

Our approach to art here at John Brotchie has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Principles that we have embraced from the Reggio approach include the use of art studios, the support from a specialist art teacher, process and the product being equally important, the image of the child as capable and confident and the use of art for children to express themselves and their understanding.

In term 2, we visit the Art Gallery of NSW. Throughout the year at John Brotchie the children are "learning through art"and when we go to the art gallery children have the opportunity to "learn about art". The childrenhave the opportunity to develop and appreciation for art, viewing and leaning about Australian and International artists.

Cooking and Science Program

In term two and three, are educators run cooking and science experiences.

Our cooking program supports healthy eating and offers a chance for the children to learn about different foods and nutrition. We use fresh produce from our garden such as herbs and vegetables and eggs from our chickens. Our cooking program also reflects the different cultures of our families and introduces new foods for the children to try. We find that if children have been involved in cooking the food from scratch, they are more likely to give new foods a try.

Our science program supports children to develop a range of learning and thinking skills and processes such as experimentation, hypothesising, scientific thinking and helps to foster a love of science. Creating positive and enriching experiences during the early stages of life is the best chance to nurture a lifelong love of science. Science experiences also incorporate literacy including new scientific vocabulary and numeracy as well as social and fine motor skills.