Marlo, 5, knows from her older sister Audra, 9, that there’s plenty to be excited about starting in 2025 transitioning from Kindergarten to Primary School. ‘Audra has told me how fun it is, and I know she loves it - so I will too,’ Marlo says. ‘I have already met the principal, and he is nice.’
Marlo holding her first day of prep certificate
The girls’ mum Rachel is looking forward to a ‘normal’ school transition after experiencing Audra’s transition during the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Marlo is in the first cohort who went through Three- and Four-Year-Old Kinder so I feel confident she is 100 percent school-ready,’ Rachel says, adding her daughters’ school works closely with local kindergarten services for transition plans.
Audra had a shortened transition to Prep in 2021 due to the pandemic. ‘As it was our first time at school, we didn’t know what we were missing out on due to restrictions,’ Rachel says. ‘Now that my youngest daughter Marlo is starting school, we are experiencing a ‘normal’ transition.’
‘We had 3 sessions with other children and teachers in December so the teachers could work out the best learning groups for our kids,’ Rachel says.
Marlo with big sister Audra
As well as being paired with at least one buddy, Marlo and her peers had a playground session at school during Term 4 2024. It’s just one of several strategies to help the new Preps get used to school. ‘Preps at our school start 2 days later than the rest of the school and they only do a half day for the first day,’ Rachel says. ‘The first 5 Wednesdays of Term 1 are a day off for preps as well, so they can get used to the long week in the classroom.’
Meanwhile, Marlo is looking forward to ticking a few things off her Prep bucket list. ‘I am looking forward to learning how to read and write and art lessons,’ Marlo says, adding: ‘I am also looking forward to lunch orders.’
Big sister Audra has this advice for Marlo and all new Preps: ‘Don’t be afraid of the teachers because they are just trying to help you learn,’ Audra says. ‘School is fun and exciting and nothing to be worried about.’
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