Transition to School Program
St Mary’s is proud to offer a comprehensive transition to school program to every enrolling Kindergarten child.
As part of this program St Mary’s staff spend time with each new student in their preschool setting. In addition students are offered numerous opportunities to take part in small group and whole class orientation sessions
in the term before commencing school. This helps to ensure that the transition to primary school is a happy and positive experience for our students.
FINDING OUT ABOUT OUR LEARNERS
In order to cater for our students learning needs, St Mary’s Staff meet with:
. Each enrolling child ( in their prior to school setting and at St Mary's)
. Preschool staff
. Daycare centre staff
. Early Childhood services
. Parents of all enrolling students
This enables us to gather as much information about as possible about each enrolling Kindergarten student.
OPEN DAYS
In Open Week, each day, for one hour a day, enrolling students have the opportunity to visit the Kindergarten learning area. These Kinder Open Days provide the children the opportunity to observe, experience and explore the Kindergarten learning space with Mum and Dad.
SMALL GROUP ORIENTATION
Small Group Orientation provides the opportunity for enrolling students to join in learning tasks alongside the current Kindergarten class. This takes place once a week, for at least four weeks. 3-4 enrolling children at a time join the current Kindergarten class for an hour or so each week.
WHOLE GROUP ORIENTATION
Whole Group Orientation provides the children two opportunities to socialise with those who will be in their class the following year and to become familiar with their classroom teacher.
YEAR SIX BUDDIES
Each enrolling Kinder student is paired with a Year Six buddy. This senior student becomes the Kinder student's buddy mentor, throughout the primary years. The Year Six students sit with their buddy at recess and lunch for the first few days of school and are on hand each morning when they arrive. The relationships between the Year 6 students and their Kinder buddy grow to be very strong.
WELCOME TO ST MARY'S BARBECUE
We want all families to feel a sense of belonging to our school. Each year the current Kinder class hosts a barbecue to welcome all of the enrolling Kinder students and their families. This barbecue is held in the school grounds in the evening. It is a chance for new families to get to know each other and start to feel part of our school family.
As part of this program St Mary’s staff spend time with each new student in their preschool setting. In addition students are offered numerous opportunities to take part in small group and whole class orientation sessions
in the term before commencing school. This helps to ensure that the transition to primary school is a happy and positive experience for our students.
FINDING OUT ABOUT OUR LEARNERS
In order to cater for our students learning needs, St Mary’s Staff meet with:
. Each enrolling child ( in their prior to school setting and at St Mary's)
. Preschool staff
. Daycare centre staff
. Early Childhood services
. Parents of all enrolling students
This enables us to gather as much information about as possible about each enrolling Kindergarten student.
OPEN DAYS
In Open Week, each day, for one hour a day, enrolling students have the opportunity to visit the Kindergarten learning area. These Kinder Open Days provide the children the opportunity to observe, experience and explore the Kindergarten learning space with Mum and Dad.
SMALL GROUP ORIENTATION
Small Group Orientation provides the opportunity for enrolling students to join in learning tasks alongside the current Kindergarten class. This takes place once a week, for at least four weeks. 3-4 enrolling children at a time join the current Kindergarten class for an hour or so each week.
WHOLE GROUP ORIENTATION
Whole Group Orientation provides the children two opportunities to socialise with those who will be in their class the following year and to become familiar with their classroom teacher.
YEAR SIX BUDDIES
Each enrolling Kinder student is paired with a Year Six buddy. This senior student becomes the Kinder student's buddy mentor, throughout the primary years. The Year Six students sit with their buddy at recess and lunch for the first few days of school and are on hand each morning when they arrive. The relationships between the Year 6 students and their Kinder buddy grow to be very strong.
WELCOME TO ST MARY'S BARBECUE
We want all families to feel a sense of belonging to our school. Each year the current Kinder class hosts a barbecue to welcome all of the enrolling Kinder students and their families. This barbecue is held in the school grounds in the evening. It is a chance for new families to get to know each other and start to feel part of our school family.