The following dates outline important events and information parents should be aware of in the lead up to their child starting school.
Orientation 1: Wednesday 12 November, 9:30am - 11:45am
Orientation 2: Wednesday 26 November, 9:30am - 11:45am
All students are expected to attend both sessions. Children must bring a nut-free, egg-free and sesame-free packed lunch in a lunch box and a water bottle for both sessions.
Please enter the school through the Bourke Street gates, where teachers and student leaders will greet you and your child. Students will then go to nearby Kindergarten classrooms for a play and craft session with teachers until 11:45 am.
During the first orientation session, parents will attend an information session about starting school. This session will provide essential information, important dates, details, and procedures, and will allow you to ask any questions you may have. A light morning tea will follow this session.
In the second orientation session, parents will attend a welcome hosted by the Bourke Street P&C. Some light bites and refreshments will be provided. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet current BSPS families and connect with other 2025 Kindergarten families.
Students with learning support needs may require additional support as part of a personalised transition program. If you believe your child requires additional transition opportunities before starting school in 2025, please contact the school as soon as possible.
Monday 2 February: The big day has arrived!
On their first day of school, Kindergarten will start at staggered times. On the morning of your child's first day of school, the most important thing is to relax and take the time to enjoy this special moment. We want our students to have a calm and happy first start to school.
The school will email you to confirm your child's starting time.
When you arrive at school via the Bourke Street gates, you will be directed to the courtyard where you will be met by staff and our wonderful student leaders. Students will receive their name tag, be given a new school hat and be taken to a nearby Kindergarten classroom where they can hang up their bag and hat, say goodbye to you and go inside to find a fun activity to do.
Parents can come into classrooms with their child if they need to but the best advice we can give on first day drop off is that children settle very quickly once parents are out of sight. Our Kindergarten teachers will assist you if your child is anxious or distressed and will help to settle, calm and reassure the children. When saying goodbye, give a quick hug and kiss, reassure your child that you'll be back to pick them up and then leave swiftly. The teachers and support staff will be available to take over and help if needed. As hard as it is, try not to come back and peek through windows etc. Rest assured, your child is in very good hands.
After drop off, parents and carers are invited to stay back for Cheers and Tears - a morning tea hosted by our P&C in celebration of your child's first day of school.
Initially, students are not placed in their formal class grouping. Throughout the day students will spend time with the different Kindergarten teachers in various groupings. Classes are usually finalised by the end of the second full week at school.
In the initial days and weeks of Kindergarten, teachers help students settle into their new school, learn new routines, make new friends and support students in becoming comfortable and happy. Students will participate in free play sessions, gentle learning experiences and tours of the school where they will meet some significant people. Teachers regularly take students for toilet breaks and stay with students in the playground during recess and lunch to be available if needed during the first week of school.
Please return to pick up your child at 2:00 pm out at the front grass area. Teachers will bring students to the front grass area of the school one group at a time to be collected.
Students will bring home a note explaining to parents which classroom they should be dropped off at and picked up from until classes are finalised.
Tuesday 3 February, Wednesday 4 Feb, Thursday 5 Feb and Friday 6 Feb
For the remainder of the first week, students should be dropped off at the classroom indicated on the note sent home on Day One and are to be picked up at 2pm. On this note there will also be an updated map of the school to help you orientate and find the room. We ask families to now avoid using the front office entrance and instead use the Parkham St or Mort St gates to enter the school. We use coloured doors to help identify the Kindergarten classrooms. Staff will also be floating and readily available to help out.
Students can be dropped off at the classroom (not the playground) between 8:30-9 am. Please follow instructions for 2pm pickup.
We host a Meet the Teacher afternoon at the start of each year. 2025's Meet the Teacher will be held in early Term 1, in your child's classroom.
Each classroom teacher presents to the parents of the students in their class general information about their classroom, what students will be learning, timetables and what's on each day for their class, management details and any special pieces of information.
Teachers can also answer any general questions and will share their contact details so that parents can email them as necessary. Your child’s class teacher is the first contact if you have a query or area to discuss.