Starting school is a significant milestone for every child and it is important to have a smooth beginning to this journey. The transition from Kindergarten and Daycare to school must be well managed to ensure a successful beginning to your child’s formal education. St Gerard Majella primary school staff do everything they can to help Prep students and their families feel at home during the process of enrolment and commencing Prep.
Starting Age
Prep is the first compulsory year of school and provides the foundation for your child’s education. It is a full-time program held in primary schools. Children attend Monday-Friday for the full school day. The Preparatory Year (Prep) program is for children who turn five by June 30 in the year they start school.
| Birth date | Eligible for Prep Year in |
|---|---|
| Child born 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018 | 2023 |
| Child born 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 | 2024 |
| Child born 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 | 2025 |
| Child born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 | 2026 |
Most children commence Prep in the year they become eligible (turning 5 by June 30th), however parents who are concerned their child is not ready to start Prep at that time can choose to start their child a year later – the year they become of compulsory school age (6 years and 6 months).
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s readiness for Prep, speak with your child’s Kindergarten teacher or the school Principal.
Orientation for Prep
St Gerard Majella School believes that a positive and comprehensive introduction to school life is imperative to the success of children and parents. For many Prep students, this is their first experience of a school environment and for many parents, the first time they have engaged with a school since they were a student themselves. St Gerard Majella offers the following process of orientation and induction into Prep:
Parent Information Evening
At this evening, our teaching staff will pass on important information to Prep parents to help make a smooth transition into Prep.
Orientation/Transition Days
Students and parents attend orientation/transition mornings prior to commencing Prep. During this time the students spend time in the Prep classroom and playground with the Prep teaching staff. This enables new Prep students to become familiar with their new learning environment. At this time parents are invited to attend information sessions with the school leadership staff.
