Queensland school system

[janinlondon]

Can anyone advise please? There used to be seven years of primary (has this changed now with the Prep year? - is it eight?) and then six of secondary. And when I went to school I started age 4. What's the ruling now, and when is the cut off? Thanks to anyone who can help!

It changed a few years ago so there is now a prep year (which used to be preschool) as well as year 1 - 7 for primary and 8 - 12 for secondary school. This is from the Qld education site:
Prep is not compulsory and early childhood education and care providers continue to offer programs for children not enrolled in Prep.
Prep is 5 days a week and children stay all day. Children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they start Prep.
Here is the link:
education.qld.gov.au/strategic/advice/earlychildhood/prep.html
I cant say I like the system if you have a child born in July for example but for everyone else it seems to work ok.

Thanks AL. I am presuming school years still start in January?? So a 9-year old October born child would be currently in grade 3 and not go into grade 4 till next January? So they don't leave primary school till they are 13???????????? Oh dear. I do hope I have that wrong......

School still starts in January. A 9 year old would be in year 4 I think. Most kids are 12 when they finish year 7. Some are a bit younger or that bit older. It depends on birthdays etc.