Play Investigations

Investigative Play”, based on Walker Learning, has been introduced into our Kindergarten classrooms.

All kindergarten teachers have participated in hours of professional learning, via Zoom, through Early Life Foundations. Early Life Foundations is a specialist team providing professional learning in Walker Learning. Walker Learning promotes child-focussed inquiry learning, based on child development research and neuroscience. Evidence shows that investigative play not only increases student engagement and motivation, but also oral language, literacy and numeracy. Many primary schools across Australia and within CEDP have implemented investigative play, with positive results. Early indications suggest that St Michael’s evidence will be similar.

At St Michael’s, each Tuesday to Friday, Kindergarten learning starts with investigative play. Teachers set up ‘stations’, indoors and outdoors, each with clear developmental and learning objectives. Investigative play is rigorous: Teachers, and teacher assistants, engage with the children to support their learning through open-ended questioning and discussion.

Written By

St Michael's Catholic Primary Baulkham Hills
www.stmichaelsbhills.catholic.edu.au

09 Jun 2026
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15 May 2026
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🌟 Mary MacKillop Merit in Action 🌟 Our Mary MacKillop Merit Award students headed off to the JSS at Emerton today to complete 4 hours of community service 🤝💙 From lending a helping hand to showing kindness, compassion and teamwork, our students represented our school with pride and truly lived out the values of service and community ✨ We are so proud of the positive impact they continue to make beyond the classroom! What a wonderful way to give back and follow in the footsteps of Saint Mary MacKillop 💛👏 #MaryMacKillop #CommunityService #FaithInAction #StudentLeadership #CatholicEducation #ProudSchoolMoment #MakingADifference #PrimarySchoolLife #ServingOthers #SchoolCommunity #SydneySchools #StudentSuccess #KindnessCounts #LivingOurFaith #StMichaels #PrimarySchool #BaulkhamHills #CSPD #CatholicSchool

15 May 2026
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Week 5 ✌✌👍 Just a reminder that our school interview bookings are open now. Have a great weekend 😎