Kindergarten
Thank you for considering St Matthews Catholic School for your child’s education. We consider it a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing your child’s growth and development and look forward to developing a strong partnership with you as we work together to help them become the best that they can be.
Does my child need to be Catholic to enrol?
All families and their children, Catholic or non-Catholic, are invited to have a Catholic education, however parents must support the philosophy of the Catholic School and children must participate in Religious Education classes and attend Religious activities such as class/school prayer and school Masses.
A priority order is considered as outlined in the Enrolment Policy to students who are baptised Catholic and who live in the local parish, however, we do welcome all who wish to be guided in their education by the principles and teachings of Christ.
Eligibility to Attend Kindergarten
By law all children in NSW must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday. All children who turn 5 before the 31st July are eligible for enrolment. However, the school recommends 30th March as a more appropriate age cut-off.
Kindergarten Transition Program
Our comprehensive Kindergarten Orientation program welcomes students on their lifelong learning journey in a supportive and nurturing environment. Our ‘Bright Beginnings Playgroup’ includes four sessions that allow our youngest students and their families an opportunity to familiarise themselves with our school environment and routines.
At the end of the year, students enrolled for Kindergarten participate in our Kindergarten Orientation sessions. At these times Kindergarten classes are formulated with students participating in three sessions with their teacher as a way to build a positive relationship with the individual child and set them up for a successful transition to school the following year. Throughout this process we communicate closely with Mudgee preschools and early childhood centres to ensure we are able to create a safe and inclusive environment that best suits the needs of each individual child enrolling at our school.
Enrolment Process
The Kindergarten enrolment process consists of the following steps:
- Complete the enrolment pack found on the Enrolment Forms Page
- Enrolment forms with supporting documentation should be submitted by the Friday of Week 9 in Term 2 the year before your child is due to commence Kindergarten
- An interview time will be advised for all new families to the school
- Enrolment Committee meets
- Parents/Carers are notified via email of the success of the enrolment application within two weeks after the interview. Parents confirm their place by responding to this email
Supporting Documentation (to be supplied with Enrolment Application)
- Birth Certificate*
- Immunisation History Certificate/Statement*
- Sacramental Certificate - Baptism (if applicable)
- Passport, Visa, Citizenship Documentation (if applicable)*
- Current Family Court Orders (if applicable)*
- Relevant medical and/or special needs information and/or speech, hearing, OT, cognitive assessments (if applicable)
*ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WILL BE NEED TO BE PRODUCED
