Starting school is an exciting and important milestone in any child and family’s life. It can also be an anxious time, so we like to ensure all our newest students and families to feel welcome at St Columbkille's, and feel a sense of familiarity and ease with their learning environment, their new teachers and their peers as they step into their classroom on Day 1 of Kindergarten.

Research suggests that children who have a positive start to school are more likely to engage well in their learning and school life. Our comprehensive 'Transition to School through Play' program in Term 4 aims to nurture this beneficial start by providing a supportive and structured play environment in preparation for the commencement of Kindergarten. It allows parents, children and staff to get to know each other and the school setting in a positive and relaxed way, and for our new students to build the quality relationships that become the foundation of good learning in years to come.

The 'Transition to School through Play' program includes informal playgroup sessions for you and your child to attend together at the school prior to the children starting, as well as formal orientation opportunities to assist them in their transition to school. Parents will receive dates, times and information regarding this prior to the sessions.

Read more about our 'Transition to School through Play' program

Our Transition to School playgroups:

• allow us to welcome your child and family into our school community;
• build positive relationships between home and school;
• help everyone to get to know each other;
• let the children play in a relaxed environment;
• are held twice a week in Term 4 in the Monsignor Downey Hall
• are optional – you are encouraged to attend as many as you can (other carers can bring your child if you cannot);
• provide you and your child an opportunity to become familiar with the school environment, staff and classroom setting together; and
• are open to younger siblings and extended family as you wish. 

Following playgroups, an orientation session will be held to provide parents with more detailed information about starting school and the routines of school life. This session will be held in the Monsignor Downey Hall, followed by afternoon tea.

Transition to primary school (and from primary school to high school) for children with special needs is done with the help of staff from the Diverse Learning Team at the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong.
  

BEST START ASSESSMENT

Our school takes part in the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment developed by early learning experts in the NSW Department of Education. The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment gives our teachers, and those teaching Kindergarten across all our Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, a common set of high quality assessment tools. We believe that the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment will build on the strengths of our teachers and give your child an even better start to school.