Enrolment and Transition

We do encourage families to enrol their children as soon as they know they are moving to Puckapunyal. If families contact us by mail or email before they move, we can do the following:

- send to families an enrolment form to be filled out and returned to school by mail as soon as possible (an enrolment form can also be downloaded from the Document Library link at the Main Menu on this website).

- send to families a school information book which can answer most common questions asked about Puckapunyal P.S. (a school information book can also be downloaded from the Document Library link at the Main Menu on this website).

-send to families a removal flash drive (memory key) containing a digital portfolio (DP Builder supplied by the Department of Defence). We encourage families to take the digital portfolio to their current school so they can attach school reports and any other vital school reports. We also encouarge families to fill in sections regarding medical needs, hobbies, school strengths, etc. Please mail the removable disc to our school as soon as possible.

Please remember, the earlier we have this important information, the earlier and more accurately we can plan and organise classrooms to match your child's individual needs.

Also: Late each January, when most families have arrived at Puckapunyal, the school holds an Enrolment Day. The purpose of this day is for parents and students to come to the school, familiarise themselves with the school setting, facilities and staff, and enrol children in the appropriate class. The school Principal and Defence School Transition Aide will be available to meet new families. School Uniforms can be purchased as well. The Enrolment Day for 2008 is Thursday 24th January from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Each state and territory names their school years differently. For instance, the first year of schooling in Queensland and Northern Territory is called Year 1, yet here in Victoria it is called 'Preps'. That means that a child who has just completed Year 1 in Northern Territory in 2007, when moving to Victoria in 2008, would be in Year 1 (again). However, please remember, Year 1 in Victoria is the same academic year and age group as Year 2 in Northern Territory. Confusing isn't it! We ask our families not to panic as we are used to the confusion. We can work it out together.

Children are enrolled after the following procedure has taken place :
·Principal & parents (and possibly the student) meet to determined the best class for the child
·Previous reports and work samples are discussed
·The number of years the student has spent in full time schooling is critical
·Age, social and emotional factors are considered
·An appropriate grade level is determined on agreement (a review may be necessary)
·Always, when two different levels are being discussed as possibilities, the lower of the two must be preferable for it is easy to move a child up a class after a review – for the alternative may have far reaching detrimental effects on the student.
·To encourage a smooth transition for our students, the Puckapunyal Primary School has a Bullying Policy, Welfare and Discipline Policy, Trauma Policy, various Codes of Conduct and a full-time Defence Schools Transition Aide.

Transition from Kindergarten to School
Kindergartens in Victoria are part of the Health Department and are concerned with the overall development of children. They are not ‘Educational Institutions.’ Ties with the Puckapunyal Kindergarten have always been strong, particularly around Term 4 when kinder classes visit the school two or three times to see what the big school is like, to visit a classroom, tour the school, go to the toilets and visit the canteen. Mums and Dads are welcome to attend these days. School staff also acquaint themselves with prospective new enrolees and discuss medical and educational issues with kinder staff.

Transition from Primary to Secondary School
Several visits to the local Secondary College are made by the Year 6 students during the year. Even those going to a new posting or those choosing an independent school are invited to participate. Late in the year a ‘passport’ program is commenced so that students can commence a project that will be completed at the local secondary college. School staff visit each others workplace, discuss educational programs, standards and expectations
and assist the students in the transition process by meeting with them and answering questions. Comprehensive reports are sent on to whichever school an exiting Year 6 student is to attend.