Prep Year

Classes

Prep A

Prep B

Welcome to the Preparatory Year of Schooling, the beginning of your child’s primary school education. The following suggestions may be of assistance to parents, as you prepare your child to enter a new learning environment.

Begin discussing issues of interest with your child. Frequently asked questions include:

Where will my bag and hat go?
Where do I eat my lunch?
What do the bells mean?
Do I eat my lunch all at once?
Do I play outside? When? Where?
Where are the toilets?
Am I allowed to go on my own? (We attend in pairs at TGSS)
Where do I get a drink from? How do the bubblers work?
What happens at tuckshop?
What is a Principal? A Deputy Principal?
Where is after-school care?
Do I have to know how to read and write before I go to school? Do I have to learn over the holidays?
Who will be my friend?
What if I need help?

Talk with your child and problem-solve any likely difficulties.

eg. what to do if:

you don’t have anyone to play with?
you can’t find mum / dad at home time?
you eat all your lunch at first break?
you lose something?

The first week will be tiring and your child’s emotions may vary. While formal interview opportunities are scheduled throughout the year please do not wait to see your child’s teacher if you have any concerns. Often the ‘little things’ are very important to your child and can be quickly addressed once your child’s teacher is aware of the issue.

Lunches must be easy to open and consume eg. no vacuum sealed little jellies, tubes of yoghurt that can’t be opened, ring pull tins. Teach your child to open and insert popper straws if needed. Lunches are kept in bags, which are in shaded lockers. A frozen ice drink will keep the contents cool.

Encourage your child to practise writing their names in lower case and using anything to develop the small muscles in their hands. eg. Lego.

Clearly identify your child’s school bag and name all items. Encourage personal organisation and routine with personal organisation.

Reading with your child is a proven way of fostering a love of reading in young children.

click here for

Get Set for Prep Handbook

For more information, go to Your Child's first year at school webpage: