Prep bags open up a world of learning for more kids

Every student starting Prep at a government school in 2022 receives a library bag containing a bundle of books and resources to encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning.

The mix of items is designed to help Prep students celebrate the beginning of their school journey, helping them learn and thrive at home as well as in the classroom from the start of Term 1.

The five books included this year are: The Unwilling Twin by Freya Blackwood; I Spy Victoria by Jeannette Rowe; Hark, It's Me, Ruby Lee! by Lisa Shanahan; I saw Pete and Pete saw me by Maggie Hutchings; and Pink! by Margaret Wild.

The books will also be produced in Braille with tactile illustrations by Statewide Vision Resource Centre for Prep students who are blind or have low vision.

The Prep Bags also include a Meet the Mathscots animated series ruler to support students with numeracy, a Get Your Move On frisbee to encourage increased daily physical activity, a Soapy Heroes insert including fact sheet and colouring-in activity to promote the importance of hand hygiene, and book labels.

Kinder kits

Children enrolled in funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten will also receive a Kinder Kit, a colourful carry-case jam-packed with educational toys and resources to celebrate that kindergarten in Victoria now starts at age three.

The Kinder Kits will be distributed from the start of Term 1 to children enrolled in Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, and have been created to complement learning at kinder with fun and creative activities that encourage family engagement in their child’s education and promote awareness of the benefits of continued learning at home.