Canberra’s French-Australian Preschool celebrates 50 golden years
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Red Hill’s French-Australian Preschool has reached a golden milestone as it celebrates half a century of being an integral part of Canberra’s multilingual community.
Turning 50 in October, it’s one of the largest pre-schools and long daycare centres in the ACT – but what makes the not-for-profit unique, is that it offers progressive immersion in French language and culture for children between three and five years of age.
With a history beginning in 1969 when Monsieur Albert Salon set up the school for the handful of French children living in Canberra, the French-Australian Preschool (FAPS) opened its doors in 1973 to students from all backgrounds when local families began to request access to its special offerings for their young children.
Seeing many transformations – which included moving from Turner to the current Red Hill location – it’s grown into a vibrant and bustling community, becoming a well-known (and loved) Canberra institution.
Sending her own children to the pre-school in the early 2000s, FAPS Director Véronique Danjou has proudly watched the school evolve for 20 years.
Starting her career in 2003 as a teacher, Véronique also assisted FAPS with French admin and accreditation for 10 years before taking on the role of Director in 2013. Looking back, she says she’s amazed at the progress the school continues to make.
“I’m so grateful for the ongoing quality of education that has been offered at the preschool over the years by many generations of educators and teachers. Childcare centres come in all shapes and forms and the important is mostly what happens inside those buildings.”
“There are a lot of new childcare centres that have been built in Canberra over the years and it’s become a competitive market. Our unique product is in demand and I hope it will continue to always be in demand. Having clear goals and a vision with the Board has been amazing.
“We are committed to continuous improvement in all areas. A few years ago, we modernised our original premises and built new classrooms that follow the early childhood norms of compliance and provide fantastic learning spaces for the children.” she says.
“It’s going to give longevity to this place… we want to continue to exist for another 50 years or more.”
Holding a special place in the hearts of many families (like Véronique’s), many of the current students are second generation – following in the footsteps of their parents who made up some of the original cohorts.
Like Thea Turnbull, who didn’t think twice about sending her four-year-old daughter to FAPS to be immersed in French.
“I started in the preschool in 1984,” she says.
“There are so many benefits. Learning French is one benefit but the other – which is arguably more important I’d say – is the way the French teaching system works. It teaches you how to think, it teaches you a whole range of really complex skills from an early age.”
Using the skills, she learnt from FAPS, Thea then followed the French stream at Telopea Park School before completing the Baccalaureate. Travelling to France for her Undergraduate Degree, and Geneva for her Master’s Degree, Thea eventually worked in Paris for an advertising agency before returning to Canberra in her 30s.
“The skills that I learnt at FAPS when I was tiny carried all the way through,” she says.
“It’s just a delight watching my daughter go through FAPS. I still remember the classrooms and from the first day Alice was here I had a sense of her coming back home.”
With students and parents both developing lifelong skills and friendships, as someone who has been in the school and is currently supporting her daughter on her own journey, Thea believes the community aspect is what makes the pre-school so special.
“We’ve made some really strong friendships and connections with parents and obviously, the children are this great bonded community,” she says.
“For me, as a parent with two children who came here, I feel like I’m part of this group and I’m always happy to give to this place because it supports – and has supported – generations of people,” adds Véronique.
Organising a few events for the children, alumni and a special soirée at the pre-school for VIPs from the education system, current families, and community members, Véronique ultimately wants the Canberra community to know that students from all backgrounds are welcome to enrol to be part of a new era of FAPS.
“Everyone can have the opportunity to learn in French and be exposed to the French education system here in Canberra. I take great pride when I see children here who have no French at home thrive,” she says. “It’s a system where everyone can succeed.”
“It really is such a vibrant community.”
