Kindergarten Transition

At BWPS, we prioritise seamless transitions between key educational stages, including early childhood to Kindergarten, ensuring we create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Through strategic planning, collaboration with families, and targeted support programs, the school intentionally facilitates transitions with care, ensuring that students feel supported and empowered to navigate changes confidently.

The Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program evolved in 2018 as a school readiness program. It is refined each year, and runs in Semester two, with prospective preschool age students enrolled in our school, learning with teachers. The very popular program is supported by policy and processes. Applications for student enrolment are required through an expression of interest form to ensure equity and transparency. Students may access a term or the semester depending on supply and demand.

The school also facilitates Headstart sessions in term 4. This is a more formal preschool to school transition program. It aims to promote positive connections and a shared commitment to our school culture. During Headstart sessions, the school facilitates parent information sessions. In the classroom, students complete work with teachers and support staff.

To support families of young children who question whether their child is ready for school a number of processes are implemented including a school readiness checklist, ongoing parent meetings with AP, Principal and families, ongoing observations are completed on students during RSG by Kindergarten AP and/or school Psychologist, and preschool visits.

As a result, all our parents make informed decisions about their child’s school readiness prior to the school year commencing . Through this process, relationships based on open communication and trust begin with new families and this forms the basis of positive, productive relationships at the beginning of each school year. Importantly, 95% of our children who are enrolled in Kindergarten the previous year actually attend the following year.

With all transition programs in place, students and parents/carers are engaged early as key collaborators. By emphasising continuity of learning across different stages and settings, our teachers create a cohesive educational journey that builds upon students' prior knowledge and experiences, fostering a strong foundation for learning and growth. Through these efforts, BWPS cultivates a culture where transitions work as opportunities for students to flourish and reach their full potential, demonstrating a systematic approach for supporting the diverse range of student transition needs at BWPS.