Starting at a new school

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Is your child starting a new school next year?

New school checklist

Visit the new school.

Meet the teachers.

Prepare for new routines.

Families play an important role in supporting a child's transition to school for the first time, or to a new school.

What can families do to prepare?

Whether a child is starting Prep, advancing to high school or moving to a new school, there are many things that families can do to help make a child or teen's transition successful:

Getting to know as much about the school as they can.
Talking with their child about school.
Taking their child to the school to meet the teachers and to find out where things are.
Taking sure their child knows the transport arrangements for getting to and from school.
Getting to know other families with children who will be in the same class as their child.
If appropriate, ensuring their child knows how before and after school hours care will work.
Answering their child's questions about school.
Always being positive and realistic about school.
Researching some resources.

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Starting Prep

Starting school is an important milestone in a child's life – and supporting children to successfully transition to school helps foster their enthusiasm for lifelong learning. Learn more about Prep.

There are many things that families can do to help make a child's transition to school successful. What can I do to prepare my child for school?

Take a look at some simple steps you can take to help make your child's first day of Prep more enjoyable and relaxed.

When shared with the child's new school, transition statements provide valuable information to assist in planning for a positive transition to school. Find out more about transition statements.

Moving to high school

Starting high school or moving to a new school can be an exciting adventure and the start of a wonderful new stage in your child’s life.

Going to high school gives young people the knowledge and skills they need to find a job or take on further training or study after finishing school. The people they meet at school can also help them develop social ties and support networks that will stay with them throughout their lives.

By being positive about the change and helping them with the practical stuff, you are equipping them to get the best possible start to their life at high school.

The Spark their Future website contains lots of useful information including tips to help your child make a positive transition to high school and how to set your child up for a fresh start at high school.

Enrolling at a different school

There are lots of reasons why children might need to move schools, including geographical relocation of your family, or to create a new dynamic and give your child the space to focus on new and positive experiences.

When a child moves to another school, the best approach is a carefully managed transition supported by your child’s current and new schools. Talk to the team at your child’s school about their views on changing schools and how they can support your child, should you decide to move them.

Our enrolment information includes some suggestions to consider before enrolling your child at a new school and what paperwork you need to transfer to another school.

Check out the Spark their Future website for more helpful information if you’re considering moving your child to another school.

For students with disability

Parents, educators and specialists work together to ensure that all transitions occur in a supportive and positive environment.

Make sure you talk to the new school well ahead of the first day, and also to your child’s current school or early childhood service. Both can help you prepare and ensure the right support is in place when your child arrives at their new school.

School staff will talk to you about your child's learning goals and what supports are available to help your child to attend school, learn and achieve.

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