When to start school in Qld - moving from UK to Oz

[mm22bys]

Hi,

I am an Aussie living in London, and have two DSs (3 and 9 months), and we are starting to think about DS1s schooling.

It is likely that we will want to move back to Brisbane in DS1's first two years of school, so in time for the start of what I think is called "prep", or Grade 1.

Based on any personal experiences, when would be the best time for DS1 to start? I am under the impression that it may be better to start in time for prep, for two reasons: a friend told me that family of his who had moved after the "first" year of school had trouble settling in (this was in SA though), and 2) DSIL told me that a lot of friendships, especially between the mums!, are formed when the kids are in prep.

Also, am still confused about how system works in Qld. DS1's birthday is in May ('04), so I think he would be due to start prep in Jan 2009, and so Grade 1 in 2010. Given he'll be one of the youngest, would it be advisable to start him a year later? He seems to be quite bright when compared with his friends in nursery (I got grilled by one of his carers who asked how come he knows his letters and numbers), but am concerned that he may be a little "young", even if he wasn't to struggle academically.

Thx for any assistance / ideas / experiences!

[Harrogatemum]

hi mm22bys - cant help on the personal experience thing but I think that your DS1 will definitely go into prep in Jan 2009 and then grade 1 in 2010 as I've checked on a Queensland education website myself for my DTS - they were born Nov 04 and we are moving to Brisbane in Jan 2008 and they would start prep a year later in Jan 2009.

The link is here

Am sure some of the Aussies will be on later to answer you properly whilst we are all slumbering!

[eidsvold]

hiya

that link harrogate has given you is best.

I would not worry as he will be in with lots of others roughly the same age as he is.

Personally I would start him in prep - in that the prep will be at the school where he will go to year one. Prep is technically non complusory and very much play based so that would give your ds a chance to settle in without the 'pressures' of formal schooling.

I have been visiting prep classes and schools as part of deciding exactly where to send dd1 ( she has sn) and it is very much play based - more preschool like than school like iyswim.

However a lot of places in Aus experience people coming and going and so it would not be as noticable in a Brisbane school as perhaps a smaller country town where the population is more static.

Where are you thinking of settling in Brisbane?

I live here and spent most of my life here or in QLD. Are you thinking of going private or state schooling??

[mm22bys]

Thanks Eidsvold and Harrogate.

We'd probably be moving to western suburbs (Kenmore) or Coorparoo, and probably private (although I know nothing about Coorparoo TBH!)

We're going back next Feb to visit so I guess I should investigate then!

Thx,

[chloeb2002]

Hello my DD is five on Monday and i have just enlisted her in prep to start in Jan/ feb 08. A lovely small state school near Dayboro if any knows it! We move over in the last week of October, so afetr much stress we will arrive. Not sure yet what i am more woried about! Being isolated, I had wanted to get straight back to work when DD starts school but baby munber 2 on the way so cant do that now! So digressing. QLD schools all seem great so far. May go private for secondary.. but impressed at primary.