Foundations of the Pre-primary School
The Oak and Orca Pre-primary School is founded on the same principles, philosophies and teaching practices that have informed all of our programs since the creation of the school in 1999. A set of Guiding Principles are enshrined in our constitution and as is our definition of Bioregional Eduation which is key to our approach. Upon these foundations, practices have been and continue to be developed to best meet the needs of the children and educators in the many varied situations that are a part of life at school.
Guiding Principles
The Guiding Principles have informed the creation of all of our programs.
- We believe in children's intrinsic ability and need to learn.
- We trust the children to choose what, how and when they learn within the learning environment.
- We strive for education of the whole child: body, mind, heart and spirit.
- We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where children, parents, teachers and mentors can teach and learn together.
- We value democracy: children and adults participate equally in age-appropriate decisions.
- We strive to create an educational culture which is tolerant and supportive of individual expression.
- We support cooperative learning and cooperative play above competition.
- We value simplicity and support local, ecologically sound economies.
- We respect the integrity of the natural environment in which we live.
- We strive to connect children to nature and to a diversity of people in their community.
- We believe that a bioregional focus will give children the tools to work toward a more sustainable and fulfilling society
Bioregional Eduacation
The school uses a framework of bioregional education around which knowledge and skill in all subject areas is built.
Components of bioregionalism are integrated into a bioregional curriculum and the lifestyle of the Oak and Orca experience. Exploration of our local bioregion, experiential learning, consensus decision making, ecological education, out-trips, nature interpretation, and nature awareness are all bioregionally related concepts integrated into student life at the school.
Bioregional Education in Action
The focus of bioregional education involves encouraging children and adults alike to:
- act together as a community,
- learn local history and natural heritage,
- discover the wisdom of diverse world views,
- distinguish their needs from their wants,
- develop environmental literacy,
- understand local ecosystems,
- explore their connections to the land, the sea and all living things,
- make ecologically sustainable choices, and
- understand their responsibility as inhabitants of a bioregion.
