All children in South Australia have to attend school once they turn 6 years of age and continue until they turn 16 years. Children can begin school once they have turned five (5) years old.

At Fulham North we have 4 intakes a year for reception students. In Term 1, we have one intake, Week 1. In terms 2, 3 and 4 we have one intake in Week 1. In order for children to be eligible for an intake, they must turn 5 years old on or before the Sunday of that week’s intake. A District decision is to have no flexibility around our intake policy. Students turning 5 after the first day of school will need to wait until the next term. This will happen right across the Metro South Education District.

New Reception Children

New Reception children usually start school on the Monday of the Week 1. We strongly encourage children commencing at our school to be involved in our transitioning to school program. We have regular contact and communication between our feeder preschools/kindergartens; this is an important aspect of our transition program.

Our transition program comprises 3 student visits, where they go into their new classroom, meet their teacher and new class peers. This program also allows children to gradually become familiar with our school’s physical surrounds and class programs. Transition visits also give new parents to our school an opportunity to meet each other.

The first visit is for one hour and builds up to half a day by the third visit.

Normally parents enrol their children into their prospective primary school whilst still in preschool; this allows the primary school to be aware of their future enrolments and the preschool they are coming from. This also allows us to be in regular contact with the preschool to ensure a smooth transition to school. Once we have received enrolment forms, all transition program correspondence will be sent directly to parents.

Children transferring from another school

Children transferring from another school will be enrolled on the day they approach the school and usually commence the following day. This allows the teacher time to prepare for the new student after a decision about class placement has been made. If you know you are moving into the area at a certain time and wish for your children to be enrolled but not for an immediate start, this is also welcomed. We will simply add the anticipated starting date to the enrolment form at the time of enrolment.

When your child begins school you will be provided with the following:

•             An Information Booklet
•             School Fees Notice
•             Dental Service Application
•             Canteen Price List
•             School Bank Forms (Commonwealth & Bank SA)
•             Out of School Hours Care Information
•             Various School Policies
•             The School Behaviour Code
•             Information about being a ‘nut free school’