‘Good morning Miss Todd’ — Early learning | Character written — Celebrating the history of The Hutchins School

The first Hutchins Kindergarten opened in 1918 as part of the new Junior School at Macquarie Street, with Miss Mary Todd as Mistress in Charge of the Kindergarten. This operated very successfully and was an important development in the growth of Hutchins.

Under Headmaster Vernon Murphy (1942–1945), seven acres of land were acquired at Sandy Bay in 1945. This land was earmarked for a new Junior School and work began on a Sub-Primary section. This opened on 3 August 1946, the School’s 100th year of operation, and accommodated Kindergarten to Year 2 classes.

A new, free Kindergarten opened in 1964, with the offering of afternoon classes allowing for a greater intake of students.

The Early Learning Centre opened in 1987. Major extensions in 1999 and again in 2015 saw the Hutchins Early Learning Centre and associated Out of School Hours Care program combine, helping to increase school enrolments and providing a solid teaching and learning base for both staff and students.

Children’s access to natural, unstructured play spaces is beneficial to their emotional, spiritual, and physical development and general wellbeing.

Head of ELC and Junior School, Mrs J Manthey, Virtus, 2018

Kindergarten, 1920s. Source: Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office. — Kindergarten, 1920s

**Source** Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office

Miss Mary Todd, Mistress in Charge of Kindergarten, 1918–1924. — Miss Mary Todd, Mistress in Charge of Kindergarten, 1918–1924

Kindergarten play, 1934. — Kindergarten play, 1934

Gladwyn boys, 1933. — Gladwyn boys, 1933

Gladwyn School prospectus, c1935. — Gladwyn School prospectus, c1935

Sub-Primary group, 1954. — Sub-Primary group, 1954

Sub-Primary group in the Junior School playground, 1967. — Sub-Primary group in the Junior School playground, 1967

Early Learning Centre, 1987. — Early Learning Centre, 1987

Early Learning Centre playground and Headmaster’s House, 1992. — Early Learning Centre playground and Headmaster’s House, 1992

Early Learning Centre, 1999. Photographer: T Smithies. — Early Learning Centre, 1999

**Photographer** T Smithies

Early Learning Centre, 2015. — Early Learning Centre, 2015

Kindergarten, 1920s

Miss Mary Todd, Mistress in Charge of Kindergarten, 1918–1924

Kindergarten play, 1934

Gladwyn boys, 1933

Gladwyn School prospectus, c1935

Sub-Primary group, 1954

Sub-Primary group in the Junior School playground, 1967

Early Learning Centre, 1987

Early Learning Centre playground and Headmaster’s House, 1992

Early Learning Centre, 1999

Early Learning Centre, 2015