If you’re on this page, your child is probably starting school – congratulations! Starting school is a big step, for both the child and the parents / guardians. That’s why we’ve carefully packed this page with resources, tips, interactive tools, videos, podcasts and more to help with this new transition. We’re so excited to be on this journey with you and watch your child grow at St. Patrick’s. If you have any questions along the way be sure to know that your child’s teacher, our school principal and office staff are always ready to help!
1. Kindy Screeners
The purpose of a Kindergarten Screening is to ensure a child is developmentally ready to start Kindergarten. It is also an opportunity for the school to evaluate your child in terms of their readiness skills as well as any additional classroom support your child may need.
Kindy Screeners
Please attend one session. Both sessions will run from 9 – 10:30am. |
Monday, 28th August 2023 OR Wednesday, 30th August 2023. |
2. Transition Sessions
Transition
You are required to attend all three sessions. All sessions will run from 9 – 10:30am. |
Transition 1 – Thursday, 9th November 2023 Transition 2 – Thursday, 16th November 2023 Transition 3 – Thursday, 23rd November 2023 |
3. Best Start
Our school takes part in theÌýBest Start Kindergarten AssessmentÌýdeveloped by early learning experts in the NSW Department of Education.
Best Start Kindergarten Assessment identifies student’s literacy and numeracy skills on entry to Kindergarten. Each Kindergarten child will come to school forÌýanÌýindividualÌýsession (approximately 40 minutes duration) in the week school starts. This will be with the Kindergarten teachers.
Best Start
Information on how to book your child’s session will be provided by December 2023. |
Wednesday, 31st January 2024 OR Thursday, 1st February 2024. |
Daisy’s First Day
As children around NSW begin preparing for their transition to school, the NSW Government has developed new resources to support early childhood educators as they guide children in care services through this critical phase of their learning.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Government is committed to ensuring that all children across the state get the best start they can. A storybook featuring native Australian animal characters, ‘Daisy’s First Day,’ has been developed to help children learn about what they might experience in a typical school day.
To access this resource, please click on the book cover below.
We’re Getting Ready!
Starting kindergarten is a new adventure for you and your child.Ìý It is important that they are excited and proud to walk through the classroom door, ready to take their place in the ‘big kids’ school.ÌýThe Catholic Schools Office of Broken Bay has developed a booklet featuring some helpful tips to assist you in preparing your child at home for kindergarten. These tips aim to assist in developing the necessary skills in your child to ensure a successful start to their schooling. You can find a link to the booklet below.
Packing a Healthy Lunchbox
Packing a healthy lunch box provides children with the energy and nutrients they need to grow, learn and play throughout the day. It’s also a great opportunity to teach them lifelong healthy eating habits. You and your child can build a healthy lunchbox together with
Useful Activities to Try With Your Child Before Starting School
- ÙšPutting on their school shoes and walking in them.
- Dressing in their school uniform.
- Organise a picnic and allow them to practice eating from their lunchbox and drinking from their drink bottle.
- Cutting and pasting pictures from a magazine.
- Writing alphabet letters.
- Practice holding a book correctly and turning the pages.
- Going to the toilet by themselves and making sure to wash their hands.
- Practice counting to 10.
- Do some free drawing while holding a pencil correctly.
- If you live close to our school, go for a walk together and practise crossing roads safely.
Podcasts
The School/Family Partnership
Discusses the power that exists in a positive school/family partnership.
Social and Emotional Literacy (SEL)
Discusses the importance of SEL in a child’s learning journey.
Uniform
It’s important that all your child’s items of clothing are correctly and clearly labelled with their name. This allows us to return any lost items to their rightful owner. There are some fantastic websites you can order name labels from (if you do not wish to write your child’s name directly with a permanent marker). Some websites include: and Be sure to review our uniform policy below to ensure your child is wearing the correct school uniform on their first day.
Useful Tips
The Night Before
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On The Day
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