Preshil is the oldest progressive school in Australia, focusing on the education of each individual child and the social relationships, which support their development as critical and creative thinkers. It remains a deliberately small school, welcoming children into the Kindergarten at three years of age, and following them through to the completion of their secondary schooling in Year 12.
Preshil is an International Baccalaureate School, with an accredited IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). These IB programmes perfectly align with Preshil’s focus on intellectual challenge, inquiry and research-based learning, which accommodate individual choice and independent learning. The school continues to produce graduates who have developed the “courage to question”, to find their own voice and to become responsible and active global citizens.
The Arlington School (Kindergarten and Primary) is set in the rambling gardens of the original Lyttle home. From the earliest years, children are encouraged to develop higher order thinking through Philosophy, play, building, problem-solving and exercising choice. Kindness, respect and courage are key learnings, underpinning a creative, rich programme which nurtures and delights young minds. The Kindergarten environment provides a natural world of adventure; the invitation to play, climb and create is irresistible.
Preshil’s Primary School is an authorised PYP school, giving structure to the school’s continued commitment to inquiry-based, interdisciplinary learning. Specialist French, Music, Physical Development and Art are equal partners in a curriculum that combines meticulous teacher planning with individual and collaborative projects whilst challenging academically.
A continued regard for the importance of play and imagination shapes the physical environment and gardens to include the opportunity to build cubbies, climb, invent and create. Arlington is a highly regarded heritage site, with classrooms designed by Kevin Borland continuing to set a standard for innovative and progressive learning spaces.
The Preshil Secondary School (Blackhall Kalimna) offers the IBMYP, an intellectually vibrant curriculum which is the perfect preparation for all our students to progress to the IBDP in their final two years of school. Preshil continues to support an outstanding programme of Arts, Drama, Film and Music, with multi-age Electives focusing on extending students’ interests, building career knowledge, and innovative STEAM choices.
The Preshil approach to schooling does not use the fear of failure or the threat of punishment to motivate children. We do not demand conformity or unthinking obedience to arbitrary rules. The rapport between students is relaxed, respectful and focused on achieving outstanding learning outcomes, trust and a genuine regard for each individual.