Prep is the first year of school in Queensland, Children should turn 5 by June 30 the year they start school.
We encourage parents to enrol their child as early as possible during the year prior to starting school. Classroom visits commence mid-year and we would like all future prep students to participate in these.
To enrol your child, you will need to bring the following documents to our school office:
- child’s birth certificate
- rates notice or lease agreement
- utilities bill
You will be given an enrolment pack to complete and return. From August, our office staff will contact you to book a ‘Welcome meeting’. The welcome meeting is an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and share important information about your child.
Classroom visits commence in term 3 and these allow children to experience a classroom for a short period so they can see what school will be like.
Steps in the enrolment process:
Kindergarten visits
Our team visit neighbouring kindergartens so we can start to build a relationship with each child that will be starting prep with us. Some kindergartens even visit our school library for an excursion!
Tailored Transitions
- A tailored transition is available for student who require additional support to transition to school. Tailored transitions are typically activated by the child’s early childhood teacher (ECT) or may be prompted at the welcome meeting.
- Support may include:
- Additional classroom visits
- Stakeholder meetings – ‘the team around the child’
- Additional visits to the child’s kindergarten
- Involvement of Head of Inclusive Learning
- Preferential classroom placement
- Consent is requested to allow the school to liaise with therapists and specialists. This is so we can all work together to support your child.
Out of Catchment Applications
- Families residing outside of the school catchment are able to apply for an ‘Out of Boundary’ enrolment.
- This includes a letter explaining why they want to attend Biggera Waters State School instead of their catchment school.
- Families are advised to enrol in their catchment school as out of boundary applications are not processed until November each year.
- The principal will assess each application and notify the respective principals where the student would otherwise be enrolled.
- Unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email.