Pre-School Enrolment
ENROLLING YOUR CHILD
On or around your child's 4th birthday, it is important to make a appointment with the principal to pre-enrol your child and have a look around our school. Prior to your child's 5th birthday you will receive a notice stating which days your child's pre-visits will occur.
Pre-school visits - four consecutive visits on Friday mornings.
The purpose of pre-school visits are:
To meet fellow pupils and prospective friends, to develop confidence in the class, and affinity and identity with the school.
To introduce children and their parents or caregivers to their teacher and syndicate leader.
To become familiar with the layout and facilities at school.
To experience some school activities, and to become familiar with class and school routines.
To provide information needed to settle into school life quickly and smoothly.
As we generally retain a normal programme for the students it is requested that you do not bring other pre-schoolers on these visits.
COHORT ENTRY
The Ngatea Primary School Board has agreed to adopt a Cohort Entry Policy, effective from 3 February 2025. Cohort entry is where children start school for the first time together in groups after they turn 5. Under this policy, new entrants can only start on the the first day of term and mid-point during a term:
Why has the Board opted for cohort entry?
Our teachers feel though bringing in larger groups of students at the same time it will be more advantageous for the students individually. Additionally, the Education Review Office's 2022 report, "Starting School Together: What Do We Know?", highlights numerous benefits of cohort entry:
Enhanced Child Wellbeing: Cohort entry supports children's social and emotional wellbeing, fostering social connections and a sense of belonging while diminishing anxiety.
Smoother Transition to School: This system allows for more effective teaching of essential routines, contributing to a better settling-in process.
Sustained Learning Programmes: Staff will have a five-week window to establish programs for each cohort before the next group arrives. This approach will reduce the need to restart learning programs each time a new student enrols.
Support for Developing Friendships: Cohort entry has been shown to improve children's ability to maintain and establish social connections, boosting confidence.
Increased Engagement in Learning: New entrants demonstrate heightened engagement in learning activities under cohort entry.
Benefits for Peers: Existing students experience fewer disruptions and more focused learning periods, enhancing overall class wellbeing and engagement.
Positive Impact on Family Wellbeing: Families report improved wellbeing due to their children's more stable school experiences, which also alleviates parental anxiety.
Stronger Family-School Ties: Set enrolment dates facilitate relationship-building events and activities, enhancing the overall school entry experience.
OTHER INFORMATION
Child will commence school the first Monday after their Birthday.
A school day begins at 9.00am and finishes at 3.00pm.
Sunhat's are compulsory in the first and fourth terms.
Uniforms and stationery required can be purchased at the school.
Your child's book bag should be checked each night for any information.
Reader's will be sent home immediately and should be returned each day.
Library books are to be kept in book bag so they are available for exchange.
Subway lunch orders are Tuesdays and Thursdays. Order forms are to be completed at the office.
CLASSIFICATION
Children enrolled at school when 5 years old are classified as New Entrants and will classified as below:
Year 1: If a 5year old New Entrant begins school prior to 30 April they are regarded as Year 1 from the outset and move to Year 2 classification after the completion of their first year at school.
Year 0: If a 5 year old New Entrant begins school on/after 1 May these children are regarded a Year 0 from the outset and move to Year 2 classification after the completion of their 2nd year at school.