The Preparatory Year (Prep) program is for students who turn five by June 30 in the year they start school.
Birthdate | Eligible for Prep in | Eligible for Year 1 in |
---|---|---|
Child born 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 | 2025 | 2026 |
Child born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 | 2026 | 2027 |
Child born 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 | 2027 | 2028 |
Child born 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 | 2028 | 2029 |
An amendment to the Education Act has allowed for the possibility of early entry for some students who will turn five by July 31st in the year they are in Prep, however that entry is conditional on the Principal also being satisfied that they are ready for schooling in terms of:
- aptitude and ability; and
- social and emotional competence; and
- physical development; and
- level of knowledge and understanding.
This is not a change for all children born in July and it is certainly not compulsory to send your child to Prep if he or she turns five during July.
Most children start 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 – (by 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.
Preparatory year was made compulsory by the Queensland Government in 2017 and is the first formal year of schooling. It is offered as full-time for five days per week.
As your child begins school at St Augustine’s he or she commences a new phase in their life. Some of you will have encountered this experience with previous children, for others it will be a new step.
The Preps observe normal school hours of 8:40am – 2:50 pm, Monday – Friday.
Prep children will only be dismissed by the Class Teacher if a parent is there to collect them. Parents are asked to be punctual when collecting their child from school. Our Preps are not permitted to come to school or walk home alone. It is parents’ responsibility to make suitable arrangements for their children.
Orientation for Prep Transition
St Augustine’s School believes that a positive and comprehensive introduction to school life is imperative to the success of children and parents. For some Prep students, this is their first experience of a school environment and for some parents, the first time they have engaged with a school since they were students themselves. St Augustine’s School offers the following process of orientation and induction into Prep:
Parent Information Session
At this session in early November, parents are introduced to important aspects of St Augustine’s School, including routines, parental engagement and some information from the teaching staff specifically about Prep, for example, parents are provided with some valuable information about language development and ways they can assist.
Come & Play Day
Students and parents attend the school for a session in November. Both the student and their parent spend time in the Prep area, so that some familiarisation is developed about expectations and the Prep classrooms.
Commencement School Week 1/ Term 1
Supervision is provided by staff in the undercover area from 8.20am
Students, Parents and caregivers are asked to remain in the undercover area until their teacher comes to collect them at 8.35am.
Prep students will be escorted by staff to classroom. Prep Students can be collected from the undercover area at 2.50pm.
Getting Ready for Prep
- Speak to your child positively about starting school
- Make contact with other parents – this will help both you and your child to get to know what is expected at school
- Take your child for walks to school
- Teach road safety and correct use of school crossings
- Help your child to recognise their own name and clothing
- Adjustments to school life is much easier if your child can:
- Wash hands and face
- Attend to the toilet
- Eat a cut lunch
- Be responsible for his/her clothing
- Practice tying up laces
- Pack up & put away toys/equipment/sports gear etc
- Recognise his/her printed name
Enrolment of Students in Catholic Schools Policy
Variation to school age entry requirement Guideline/Procedure