Starting School

Government schools have 1 intake per year for children starting primary school (the first year is known as reception) in term 1. A child who turns 5 years of age before 1 May, can start primary school at the beginning of the year. A child who turns 5 years of age on or after 1 May, can start primary school the next school year. A child must be enrolled at a school by their sixth birthday. It is recommended a child who will turn 6 years of age during the school year start school on the first day of term 1 of that school year.

From 2024, there will be two major intakes for children enrolling in primary school (reception)- intake 1 for children stating at the beginning of the year (term 1), and intake 2 for children starting mid-year (term 3).