Good Shepherd Lutheran College opens early learning centre in Palmerston

A Palmerston school is opening its doors to its youngest cohort yet, with plans to support students from early childhood through to Year 12.

Good Shepherd Lutheran College principal Matthew Qualischefski and head of junior school Vicki Trathen are excited to open a new Early Learning Centre at the Palmerston Campus with Jesse and Mahlia. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

An additional early learning centre in Palmerston will pave the way to a foundation of support throughout Territory kids’ educational journey.

Good Shepherd Lutheran College principal Matthew Qualischefski said he expected the Palmerston campus’s first intake of ELC students to enrol in Term 2.

Mr Qualischefski said the Palmerston region’s expansion was putting more pressure on local ELCs for enrolments.

“They’ve got large waiting lists, so to be able to tap into that aspect and make the most of that in terms of enrolments here at the college as well is important,” he said.

The campus’s youngest cohort will include a class of 22 three and four-year-olds.

Good Shepherd Lutheran College principal Matthew Qualischefski and head of junior school Vicki Trathen are excited to open a new Early Learning Centre at the Palmerston Campus. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Head of junior school Vicki Trathen said many parents were looking to send their kids to the same school for the entirety of their education.

“They want that foundation where they start right from the ELC and go right through,” she said.

“It gives (kids) an opportunity to practice being in Transition so it’s not so scary when they actually start formal schooling.”

Good Shepherd Lutheran College’s three campuses – Palmerston, Howard Springs and Leanyer – offer schooling from an ELC level through to Year 12.

Mrs Trathen said the school’s current students were also excited about the pending intake.

“The kids are very excited, and they ask lots of questions and some of the classes have been for a tour through (the building) and wanting to see what’s going on,” she said.

“They come and chat with the builders and they chat with the painters about what’s going on.”

Good Shepherd Lutheran College Transition students Jesse and Mahlia are excited to meet the school’s newest cohort. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Mrs Trathen said Palmerston’s ELC kids would join in for school assemblies, chapel services, sports days, and book parades.

“It’s generally what the Transitions are doing, you get to be able to do that a year earlier,” she said.

“As an ELC, they’ll still be doing that play-based learning through the (Early Years Learning Framework) and (the International Baccalaureate) and combining those two.

“They get to self direct a lot of their learning and their play.”

Mr Qualischefski said the young students would also be visited by the school’s language and music teachers.