In the Preparatory School, every boy is known, challenged and supported to grow as a capable learner and young man of character. Our aim can be summarised as Work Hard, Be Kind shaping the way boys learn, interact and contribute to our community.
Welcome to the Preparatory School, where we nurture each boy to develop the confidence, character and skills to thrive.
Our approach is grounded in strong relationships, explicit teaching, rich opportunities and the values of Respect, Excellence, Belonging and Endeavour. We are proud to provide an environment where boys are known, supported and challenged to become their best.
Through our curriculum and thoughtfully designed learning environment—both created with the needs and development of boys at their centre—boys are challenged to work hard, encouraged to be kind, and supported to become confident, capable and compassionate young men.
Boys achieve their best when strong relationships are combined with high expectations and engaging, purposeful teaching. Our teachers know each boy as an individual and use this understanding to provide the support and challenge needed for every boy to strive for excellence.
Our academic program is grounded in research-informed practice and designed around the ways boys learn best. Through explicit instruction, teachers make learning clear, structured and achievable, ensuring boys understand what they are learning, why it matters and how to succeed.
Classroom learning at PAC is enriched by specialist teaching in STEM, Chinese, Music, Visual Arts and Physical Education, give boys access to expert instruction and a broad range of skills and experiences.
Effective teaching begins with understanding how learning happens. Our evidence-informed approach draws on research into attention, memory, cognitive load and practice to shape the way teachers design and deliver learning.
Research tells us that students learn most effectively when new knowledge is carefully sequenced, introduced in manageable steps, revisited over time and supported through explicit modelling, guided practice, feedback and opportunities for mastery. This evidence directly informs learning experiences across our Preparatory School so our boys can excel.
Teachers use assessment and student data to plan learning that is purposeful, responsive and appropriately challenging for each boy. New concepts are intentionally chunked to support cognitive engagement, reduce unnecessary cognitive load and help boys move knowledge from short-term to long-term memory.
For boys who are ready for further challenge in their learning, PAC offers a wide range of enrichment and extension opportunities.
Programs include extended content within the curriculum as well as dedicated small group sessions with specialist teachers to challenge and engage more advanced learners.
At Prince Alfred College, we recognise and celebrate the diverse ways in which our boys learn, think and flourish. Inclusive education is central to our values of Respect, Excellence, Belonging and Endeavour, ensuring every student is supported, challenged and empowered to achieve his personal best.
Through our case management model, the Student Success Team partners with classroom teachers, families and each boy to develop personalised learning plans that respond to individual strengths, needs and aspirations. Grounded in evidence‑based practice and informed by robust data, our approach provides both targeted intervention and enrichment.
Boys receive support within the classroom and through small, targeted groups in purpose‑built learning pods, allowing for timely intervention, reinforcement and extension from their point of readiness. This ensures every boy is known, supported and challenged, fostering confidence, independence and a strong sense of belonging throughout his learning journey.
Central to our approach is our bespoke Wellbeing Framework that provides a cohesive program that is designed for each stage of a boy's development.
In the Preparatory School we focus on the development of positive relationships where each boy feels cared for, respected and valued. All staff, especially class teachers, closely monitor the boys in their care to ensure they are thriving.
Boys at PAC are members of a house: Cotton, Waterhouse, Taylor and Watsford. This system gives boys a strong sense of identity, connection across age levels and team spirit. Through House activities, events and leadership opportunities, boys learn to contribute, encourage others and take pride in their team and the wider school community.
At Prince Alfred College, we know boys learn best when they are challenged, engaged and connected. That is why at PAC, boys are encouraged to try new activities within our rich co-curricular program that encourages boys to develop new skills, discover his strengths and pursue his interests with a strong sense of purpose.
In the Preparatory School, co-curricular practice takes place on Thursdays after lunch, with matches after school or on Saturday mornings. PAC also offer a wide range of lunch time and afterschool clubs for boys to choose from.
Outdoor Education gives boys opportunities to develop independence, resilience, teamwork and confidence through purposeful, age-appropriate experiences. Beginning with early overnight experiences and progressing to class camps at our campus at Scotts Creek, boys learn by doing, building the skills and mindset that prepare them for future challenges. The program is designed for the progressive development of independence, resilience and teamwork.
Program Highlights:
We invite you to visit our Prep School and experience the learning environment first hand.
