Enrolment applications for 2023 and 2024 are open. To be eligible to enrol for Foundation 2024, children must turn 5 years of age by 30 April 2024.
2024 enrolments
The Department of Education has released a new statewide Foundation (Prep) enrolment timeline.
The timeline advises families when and how to enrol their child into Foundation (Prep) at a Victorian government primary school, including Parkhill Primary School.
The new timeline will apply for children starting Foundation (Prep) in 2024. All government primary schools will follow the new timeline in 2023 to support Foundation (Prep) enrolments for the 2024 school year.
You can find information and resources about the new timeline, including factsheets and the ‘Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents/Carers’, at: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep).
You will be able to apply to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) 2024 at Parkhill Primary School from 24 April 2023.
What you need to do:
- Contact our school at parkhill.ps@education.vic.gov.au or on 03 9807 2239 to book a school tour or to learn more about our school and the enrolment application process
- Download the Foundation (Prep) enrolment information pack from Enrolling in Foundation (Prep)
- Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 28 July 2023
- You will be notified of the outcome of your application by Friday 11 August 2023. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should contact our school to accept the offer by Friday 25 August 2023
- Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2023
- Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from Tuesday 30 January 2024.
Enrolment applications submitted after 28 July 2023 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department’s Placement Policy.
International Students
If your child is not an Australian citizen please see the further enrolment information below
Starting school is one of the most exciting milestones in your child’s life, but it can also be a little nerve wracking. Parents often ask how I can help my child to be ready for their next step?
Teachers recommend:- Asking your child what they think about starting school.
- Encouraging your child to ask questions about going to school.
- Encouraging your child to try to do things on their own such as dressing, going to the toilet, washing their hands, unwrapping their food and opening and closing their drink bottle.
- Talk to friends and other families about what school is like. Attend transition-to-school programs and activities at your child’s early years service and school.
- Talk to the school about how you can engage in your child’s learning and development at school.
PARKHILL'S PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Every Wednesday from 2:00 – 3:00pm during Term 3, the Foundation and Specialist teachers run a special ‘Preschool Program’ that any 4-5 year old child is welcome to attend. Your child will enjoy Story Time, STEAM, Performing Arts, Chinese and Movement in Parkhill Primary School’s friendly, safe and stimulating environment. Parents are invited to stay and have a school tour with the school captains.
FORMAL TRANSITION
Once you have enrolled your child at Parkhill there will be more formal transition days. Children will be able to meet the Foundation teachers and other Foundation students enrolling at the school, while spending time in the classroom engaging in some fun activities. These sessions are approximately 60 minutes. Starting primary school can be a very daunting experience, and children who attend Foundation transition tend to settle into school more easily.
CARE PROGRAM
During the transition program our Year 5’s (the future Year 6’s) involve themselves in the transition to familiarise your child with the leaders of the school. This helps create a cohesive support system for them in the new year.
A typical day in Foundation
- 8:45am Arrive at school
- 9:00am Start morning routine -> Learning block 1
- 11:00am Toilet break -> Learning block 2
- 1:00pm Lunch time and play
- 2:00pm Quiet time -> Learning block 3
- 3:00pm Learning block 4 (Social Emotional learning, Care Group activities, Show and Tell, Whole School Assembly)
Literacy and numeracy typically happens in the morning with inquiry, STEAM and other elements of the curriculum in the afternoon. A specialist timetable will be sent home at the beginning of the year
If enrolment is sought for a child who was not born in Australia or is not an Australian Citizen you may be required to enrol via the International Education Division of the Department of Education & Training, depending on the visa held by the child. Please advise the child’s residential status in Australia (permanent or termporary) and the Visa Type and Subclass number and, where defined, the Sector, as advised on the child’s Visa Grant Notice when enquiring about enrolment. If your child currently has a Bridging Visa, please also provide the Visa Type and Subclass and, where defined, the Sector, of the visa held immediately prior to the Bridging Visa.
Students from language backgrounds other than English are eligible to attend an intensive English program at Blackburn English Language School (BELS) if they are:
- aged between 5 and 18 years
- and a permanent resident of Australia or
the holder of an eligible temporary resident visa in Australia - and have been in Australia less than six months (or 18 months if Prep entry is required)
Short Term Enrolment
Children in Australia on a tourist visa (or similar) may be eligible for short term (temporary) enrolment, subject to availability in the required year level. Please note the following:-
- A child’s date of birth determines which year level they are placed in.
- A place at Parkhill Primary School can only be offered if there is space in the required year level.
- Tuition at Parkhill Primary School is in English, so the child needs to have English language ability that will allow them to communicate with their teachers and other students, and comprehend at their year level.
- There are no extra support services available for short term students.
- Uniform is required at Parkhill Primary School.
- If the child is enrolled through the IED program, the cost of any activities/excursions/incursions that occur during the period of enrolment must also be paid by parents/guardians.
- There will be no report prepared for short term enrolment. A confirmation of enrolment can be provided if required.
-
- Child’s full name
- Date of birth
- Visa Subclass number and type, and where defined, the Sector
- Residential address when in Melbourne; and
- Start and end dates of enrolment.
Most short term enrolments are applied for through the International Education Division (IED). We will advise if this is the case when you enquire about short term enrolment. If application via IED is required, please ensure that you have confirmation from Parkhill Primary School that a place can be offered before commencing the application process; allow a minimum three months before the enrolment is required for the IED and school enrolment processes.