If you’ve recently found out you’re coming to Puckapunyal and would like to enrol your children at our school please follow these steps:
We encourage you to contact the school as soon as you know you are moving to Puckapunyal. You can either call us (03) 5793 1288, email puckapunyal.ps@education.vic.gov.au or fill out the on-line form below. If you have any specific questions please contact the school. We are always available to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Our school follows the Department of Education’s Enrolment Policy for the enrolment, placement, and transfer of students.
Students who live within the school zone are guaranteed a place at our school. To find out whether you live in zone, visit findmyschool.vic.gov.au
All other applications will be considered subject to available space, and prioritised according to:
An enrolment form will be provided when placement is offered.
Please complete the enrolment form and return it to us as soon as possible. We understand that certain details such as your new address and other contact details may not be known yet, just let the office know these details when that information is available. We also need to sight and take a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunisation records.
*We are aware that postings can change. Please let us know if your family's posting has changed and you're not coming to Puckapunyal anymore.
Late each January, when most families have arrived at Puckapunyal, the school holds a Welcome 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 Welcome Day for 2024 is Wednesday 24th January from 9.00am - 2pm
To encourage a smooth transition for our students, the Puckapunyal Primary School has a full-time Defence School Mentor.
Families coming from interstate and overseas, or who are concerned with their child’s progress, may find it helpful to bring some work samples on that day to assist with placement. An experienced team in administration is well accustomed to enrolling new students from every State and Territory of Australia as well as from overseas countries such as Canada, UK, USA, Malaysia, NZ and Germany.
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, when moving to Victoria, 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.
In Victorian Education, there are 7 years of full time primary schooling. Our Prep year is our first year of education and like all Year levels, the students are expected to meet certain curriculum standards.
The following points are vital in understanding how your child will fit into our school.
1. The Law prescribes that children must turn 5 by 30th April of the year in which they are to be enrolled in the Prep Year. We have no choice but to support this policy and believe that children can be disadvantaged if they begin school at too early an age. It is far preferable for a child born in May, June or even late April to start the following year and experience success in those early and subsequent years of schooling.
2. Children are enrolled after the following procedure has taken place:
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 – as the alternative may have far reaching detrimental effects on the student.
