Preshil is Australia’s oldest progressive school. It caters for children entering kindergarten, aged three and up, in a co-educational, secular environment. The school was founded by the family of Margaret Lyttle AM, who held the role of headmistress for 50 years from 1944 to 1994.
She was raised by educators, with a father who was a state school teacher in rural Victoria, and an aunt (who would ultimately raise Margaret and her three younger siblings) who was committed to boldly exploring the limits (or lack thereof) for progressive education.
The foundations of Preshil’s progressive education model
It was this aunt, Greta Lyttle, who founded Preshil after what started as five young children in her living room soon evolved into the beginnings of a boarder community of students living at her house – and her endeavour to inspire them to approach their educational life with what became the school motto: ‘Courage’.
Margaret Lyttle studied there too, before gaining her sub-primary certificate from the Victorian Education Department in December 1933. She joined the teaching staff at Preshil as WWII started and became headmistress after her much-loved aunt’s death in 1944.
In 1973, Preshil’s secondary school was founded.
Today, Margaret Lyttle is respected as a pioneer of Australian progressive education and was actively involved in developing the Victorian section of the New Education Fellowship, the Free Kindergarten Union, and the Era Council.
Preshil’s Arlington campus, the school says, continues to be a living tribute to her life’s work.
Present day Preshil
Today Preshil is a progressive, co-educational school, located within the suburb of Kew in Melbourne. There are two campuses: the Arlington, Kindergarten and Primary campus and the Blackhall, Kalimna Secondary campus just a few streets away.
Both the junior and senior components of the school are built on the foundations of the progressive education principles championed by both Lyttle women and Preshil remains a testament to progressive education in Australia.
Progressive Education is essentially the belief that we learn by doing, not by watching. These philosophies include child-centred learning, a focus on the importance of play, and contemporary teaching styles that originated from the European and American Progressive Movements, more than 100 years ago.
As the education landscape shifts towards more creative teaching methods in response to modern day changes to the way we live and learn, Preshil believes itself to be “extraordinarily well positioned in the contemporary educational landscape to respond to this re-imagining, never having been locked into the factory model approach of many other schools”.
By empowering and supporting students to challenge ideas, question conventional wisdom, form their own opinions and set their own goals, the school’s website celebrates the fact that “the success of our school, students or teachers is not measured by discredited league tables and superficial standardised tests” as a key ingredient of its approach.
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years program
In alignment with its progressive philosophy, Preshil offers the highly regarded International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
This unique curriculum is based on the (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) and child-led inquiry taking a project-based approach. It emphasises critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and a global perspective. Students are encouraged to explore connections between subjects and develop a deep understanding of complex issues. The IB curriculum complements Preshil’s commitment to nurturing independent learners who contribute positively to society.
Both the kindergarten and primary school curriculum is based around the Primary Years Programme (PYP), with electives in Philosophy, French, Art, Library, Music and Creative Dance “designed to broaden students’ experience within and beyond the curriculum”.
At the Blackhall Kalimna Secondary School campus, students undertake a Middle Years and Diploma Programme (MYP) that offers them an alternative to mainstream schooling. Students study eight subject fields: Arts, Individuals and Societies, Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Mathematics, Physical and Health Education, Sciences, Design, and Personal Projects.
Preshil’s approach, says the school, develops independence and creativity for each student in a way that is “collaborative and carefully planned to broaden and extend their experiences through intentional and guided inquiry with their teachers”.
further reading: What is an IB school? (And where to find them)
The Preshil experience
Preshil’s facilities are designed to inspire curiosity and provide avenues for comprehensive learning. From well-equipped classrooms to state-of-the-art laboratories and art studios, the campus nurtures a diverse range of talents. The library houses an extensive collection, fostering a love for reading and research. Outdoor spaces, including a sensory garden, encourage exploration and a connection with nature.
This environment, where students are encouraged to be themselves, is designed to nurture positive mental and emotional development, with an ongoing commitment to creating well-rounded individuals that has earned the school a reputation for producing confident and empathetic graduates.
