EQ (Emotional Intelligence) is a fundamental program at PHPS for children to become happy and successful learners.  It is about character education, understanding the body & mind, and developing life skills.  It is an important part of the setting and forms part of the atmosphere of the centre.   Some of the key areas of EQ include:

• Sharing, turn-taking, fairness, cooperation, teamwork, interpersonal skills, resolving conflicts

• Manage emotions, develop self-regulation, resilience, self-esteem, initiative, and self-control

• Character Education – responsibility, cooperation, respect, acceptance, honesty, compassion, self-discipline, perseverance.  Manners, empathy, and caring for others. 

• Showing initiative and being motivated.  Embracing challenges, persevering over setbacks, praising effort, learning from criticism, and being inspired by others.  Children desire and evaluation of situations – can/cannot do.  Being optimistic, assertive, tolerant, and attentive.

• Morals, conscience, and ethics.  Learning about good and bad actions through happy and sad choices.   Spirituality, yoga, relaxation, and rest.

• Independence skills: Looking after self – belongings, lunches, toileting, asking for help.  Listening skills. Packing away, following routine, rules, and instructions.  School readiness and transition to school or from the toddler room to the preschool room.

From a very young age, children have a natural enjoyment of moving along to the tune of music.  Wanting to create sounds with instruments, as well as singing along to nursery rhymes and immersing themselves in imaginary play.  At PHPS, we like to take these interests further into our 'Performing Arts program.  Whereby each quarter, teachers will hold a concert for our families to witness the fun and confidence children have in the performing arts.  With songs, dances, musical plays, and drama performances.   They are huge events on the outdoor stage with many props and costumes created by teachers and families.   The events are the most memorable moments, tiered up around Mother's Day, Father's and Grandparents Day, End of year Christmas Concert and Party, and a special ceremonial night performance from our graduates in November.   Our performing arts program has taken another step further with performances out in the community for the elderly residents at Lutanda Manor Retirement Village and with plans to perform for the "Children's Voice for Reconciliation" at Hornsby Mall on Reconciliation Day.  The concerts highlight the everyday activities that make the performing arts program such a success.  Some of the daily activities in the performing arts curriculum involve:

• Dancing – to enjoy free expression and structured movement to express thoughts & feelings.  To Performances – choreograph dance groups and routines.

• Singing – singing along to nursery rhymes with our pianist, having fun exploring high/low pitch, tone/texture, and scales.  Learning multicultural songs and having fun singing songs in other languages.

• Music & musical instruments – appreciation of various musical styles and instrument types. Simplified music theory – beat, rhythm, rhymes, notes, melody, pitch, tempo.  Instruments: Percussion, xylophone & keyboard.  During school holidays, previous students from the local primary school are invited to perform for our preschoolers in fostering future musicians.  

• Drama – Acting games: Charades, characterization, gestures, expression, and movement.  Drama also involves costume designs, props, and staging.  Children develop the understanding of the practice through rehearsals & experience live performances. Theatre play is an extension of children's imaginary role plays. Over the years, children have produced simplified narrative plays as well as fun musicals.

The best way to capture the essence of our performing arts program is through videos on our CONCERT Webpage

Excursions extend children's learning beyond the preschool classroom.  For children, it is like going on a bear hunt.  The excitement, the adventure, and the enjoyment seen in children's smiles are the reasons why excursions have become a regular part of PHPS's program.  Besides that, it's also enjoyed by all our teachers and parent volunteers.   With our own preschool minibus, almost every week there will be an excursion, allowing all children the opportunity to participate in the excursion adventure, for both our preschoolers and toddlers.  Some of the excursion activities include:

• Enjoying the abundant nature around us – from local Wollundry Park, Cumberland State Forest, to Fagan Park with its gardens of many nations and their Eco Garden.

• Connecting with the surrounding community – such as visiting the library, railway & fire station, Hornsby heritage museum, art gallery display at the local primary and high school.

• Extending physical activity beyond the preschool outdoor area – fun obstacles in local playgrounds, learning to bike ride with our own pushbikes, soccer, and athletic games at Penno all-weather oval.  

• Other highlight excursions in the year are the preschoolers visiting the Lutanda Retirement Village to perform for the elderly residents and our toddler's excursion to Taronga Zoo. 

The joyful learning can be seen in the photos captured on our EXCURSION webpage.  It is also important to note that excursions are not just about having fun exploring the greater world around them, but also instilling in children: responsibility, being able to follow rules/guidance and practice road safety awareness, and to be model class of preschoolers/toddlers in the public, and to develop respect and love for the outdoors.