Preparing for your first contact with the school
You will need to enrol your child in school the year before they start (see Tasmanian Government Schools Overview). It is worthwhile making contact with your school earlier rather than later in the year. To do this:
- Find out the school(s) in your area by contacting learning services or by using the Find a school search.
- Decide what is important to you in a school.
- Talk to other parents who have children at school.
- Contact the school. Make an appointment to visit and find out more about the educational program and the facilities available.
Many schools offer parent–child sessions which will help your child prepare for attending the following year and may also help to identify any learning or developmental difficulties. Contact your school to find out whether sessions will be held.
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Enrolling your child
Most schools start taking enrolments from Term 2 in the year before the child is to start school. Some schools advertise in major newspapers when they are receiving enrolments. For information on when to enrol, contact your school.
If you have a specific reason for wanting to enrol your child in a school outside your home area, contact learning services about the possibility of out-of-area enrolments and how to apply. You should however talk to your local school first about how the particular needs of your child might be met. Students living in the school’s home area will always be given first preference.
The school will provide you with a student enrolment application form and an explanatory brochure [Word 76KB]. You will need to give the school a range of information, including:
- Your child's name, date of birth, address, phone number, parents' contact details, and so on. Some of this requires documentary evidence (for example, a birth certificate).
- Proof of your child's immunisation status (see Immunisation requirements for more information).
- Information about any medical condition or medication your child has, together with your doctor's instructions and contact details.
- Any other information that will assist the school in providing for your child's education and welfare.
If there are any court orders in place affecting your child, you will need to provide the school with details and relevant documentation.
Teachers appreciate having any additional information that will help them provide for your child's education and welfare.
For a full list of information you will be asked to supply at enrolment, see the student and family details page.
You will be asked to check enrolment details each year on the validation form. For more information about annual validation, see your guide to the annual validation form.
All states are required to supply specific information about students, including family background and academic performance.
More information about national reporting requirements is available from the Ministerial Council on Education, Training,and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) website, and the National Reporting on Student Outcomes [Word 49KB] document.
You may also be asked to pay the school levy at the time of enrolment.
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Enrolling in high school and college
The year before your child moves from primary to high school, or high school to college, their school should arrange for them to visit the new campus to familiarise themselves with their future surroundings, meet staff and other students, and to find out about course and program options.
Your school or college will provide you with information on the enrolment processes.
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Engage
Starting and leaving ages
Information for parents - National reporting on student outcomes