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Taking the leap from Grade R into Grade 1 can be a daunting prospect. As our little ones move from the pre-prep into “big school” they can often experience some nervousness as they are required to be more independent.
At HeronBridge College we are very intentional about the relationship between child, parent and teacher and it is important that everyone feels well prepared for Grade 1. Over the last few years, we have seen the anxiety of children increase and have implemented practical ways in which to better prepare and encourage our children for their journey into prep school.

The HBC teachers offer some practical advice on how to navigate the big feelings that our little people can feel as they get ready for Grade 1:

At HeronBridge we run several initiatives that introduce our Grade Rs to the Grade 1 experience as well as to their teachers and the heads of school. “Relationships are everything when preparing our learners for Grade 1” says Gina Brunsden, head of the junior prep. “We host a Grade R ‘inning’ where our kids play games with our prep staff and are treated to big kid things like a Seattle Coffee Company milkshake that they buy with their own voucher. We run orientation meetings with parents and children separately and even have a teddy-bear picnic with the Grade Rs and the Grade 1 staff, building those relationships in a way that is relevant, meaningful, and not so scary.”
If you’d like to find out more about our Grade 1 programme or are looking for some advice on the transition from Grade R, we would love to hear from you. Contact us on info.heronbridge@curro.co.za or 011 540 4800.
www.heronbridge.co.za
Educating with heart