Curro Aurora opened its doors to its Grade 1 learners a day earlier than the official school start, giving the youngest pupils a calm and confident introduction to school life.

Curro Aurora operational manager Joanne Quick said the initiative, which has been running for several years, allows Grade 1s to experience the school while it is quiet and less overwhelming.

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By welcoming the learners before the rest of the school returns, the children are able to explore their environment, have fun, and feel at ease in their new surroundings.

Quick said one of the most encouraging moments of the morning was seeing how confidently the learners walked through the school gates. “It’s been really amazing to see.” She added that the foundation phase head noted how self-assured the learners appeared from the moment they arrived.

This confidence, she explained, comes from introducing Grade R learners to the same space in the previous year. By the time they start Grade 1, the environment is already familiar. “They know about it, they are used to it, and they walked in with confidence.”

She also noted how well new learners, who enrolled later in the year, adjusted on their first day. “The confidence that they’ve walked in with this morning has been amazing.” She added that some learners even remembered her from previous visits.

Quick said it was especially reassuring to see that none of the learners were upset or crying, as the environment felt safe and familiar. “At Aurora, it’s all about the learner.” She explained that when learners feel comfortable, confident, and recognise familiar faces, they settle quickly.

Once they are settled, learning becomes easier and more natural. “The moment a learner is settled in their environment, everything else fits together.”

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