Schools in QLD / Brisbane. How does it work?

[misty]

Can someone please shed some light on the QLD education system?
How does it work?
What ages correspond with the different year levels?

I have one child in year 1 here in ACT (turns 7yrs old on january) and another child who is supposed to be starting kindy next year and is currently in preschool (he is turning 5yrs old in Nov) What are the equivilent levels up there??

Any ideas on the catholic education system in Brissy? Is it all private (with the associated costs) or are there also catholic schools that aren't technically 'private' schools?

Any info people could share would be appreciated, I'm pretty cluesless.

[misty]

Can one of the mods please move this to the primary & secondary schools section? I posted it in the wrong spot.

[Doing my best]

My dd turns 5 in November and starts prep next year, then goes to grade 1,2,3 etc..

Not sure on the catholic schools being public, but if you have a rough idea of areas you might be living, then it is easier to narrow down what schools might be suitable..

[misty]

So 'prep' is the equivilent to our 'kindy' in ACT?? The first 'offical' year of school? We have preschool prior to kindy (for 4/5yr olds),, but I understand that most other states don't have this??
Which means my DD would remain in the same 'year' as she is currently?

(sorry, just trying to get my head around it all - it would be nice if all the states done things the same - I'm so confused)

[Doing my best]

I grew up in nsw, so totally lost up here with schooling. lol.. But prep was brought in to get kids starting school at 5 instead of six. So the other grades seem to be inline to what it is down there. Have I just confused you more?

[Phteven]

My understanding from my brother is that prep is the first year of school (equivalent to our kindy) and that they have just made it compulsory to bring QLD in line with the other states. Prior to this it was optional and they could start in year 1.
The cut off date/age is 5 years by the 30th of June.

[AndiE]

We've got DS1, who is 5 next March, enrolled in prep next year at a Catholic primary school.
I think the "rules" for intake into public or private school prep are to do with when they turn 5 as they are supposed to have turned 5 by a cut-off date (not entirely sure of the date but presume it's 1 June or 1 July) the year they start Prep. So if DS1 was turning 5 after that date he'd have to wait until the 2014 intake. Hope that makes sense. Your son would be fine to start prep here next year.
Re: Catholic schools, I think they are all private - can't say I'm aware of a public Catholic primary or college up here. Maybe try the Catholic Education Qld website?

ETA: Kindy is not a formal part of school here in Qld - school definitely starts with Prep as the first year. Changes are under way to make kindy more structured in daycare, but essentially it's a parent's choice to have their child at kindy either via daycare or specialised kindergartens. At least that's been my experience and understanding.

[boomba]

I live here and still don't really get it :-/

Ds1 is 4 turning 5 this year and is in kindy which is not compulsory but prep is I think. It runs from June to June in ages?

[misty]

Thanks for the help everyone.

[Ilithyia]

Hiya,

Prep in Qld is the equiv of Kindergarten in NSW. (4-5 year olds)

Pre-prep is the equiv of Pre-school in NSW. (3-4 year olds)


What's different here is that children born after the 30th of June will start a year later than those born prior.

For example.

DD1 was born 5 June therefore started prep last year.

However DD2 who was born in August, doesn't start until next year

despite them only being 14 months apart.

I hope that makes sense lol

[Floweryfields]

Prep you must be 5 prior to 1st July - prep is still not compulsary however if you choose not to send your child for their prep year, they must start year one the year they turn 6 prior to 1st July.

[Ilithyia]

Prep you must be 5 prior to 1st July - prep is still not compulsary however if you choose not to send your child for their prep year, they must start year one the year they turn 6 prior to 1st July.

Its compulsary from next year though isnt it?