Early education and primary school

In NSW, children must be enrolled in and attending school, or registered with the Board of Studies for home schooling, from the age of six, although many kids start at the age of five. To be eligible to begin kindergarten, the child must turn five on or before 31 July of that school year.

There are lots of simple things you can do to help make learning part of everyday life in your home and reinforce the value of education, including:

• being involved in the school community and getting to know your child’s teachers and friends
• attending parent–teacher meetings – a great opportunity to talk about how the child or young person is progressing
• telling the school and your caseworker about issues you think could impact on your child’s ability to learn
• ensure that the school understands of the effects of trauma on school children and is aware of the professional resources available at KidsMatter and MindMatters and techniques  such as the Calmer Classroom approach
• participating in the development of the child or young person’s personalised learning and support planning and encouraging them to be part of the process
• checking with your caseworker or school to make sure learning and support actions are followed through
• asking kids about what they are doing at school, what they enjoy and what they are having trouble with
• giving them a regular structured time and a place for homework
• checking their homework
• providing opportunities for them to study with their friends
• balancing homework with recreation, play and sporting activities
• reading together and going to your local library
• acknowledging and giving praise for achievements, big and small
• taking kids on trips that link to school work, for example, museums and art galleries – many of which are free
• making sure the learning and support planning documentation, school reports and any other relevant education records are made available to new carers or parents if a child or young person moves to a new placement or returns home.

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

• Aboriginal Education Officers (AEOs) work in schools where significant numbers of Aboriginal students are enrolled. To find out more about AEOs, contact your school or call the Department of Education on 1300 679 332.
• The Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (AECG) is a not-for-profit Aboriginal organisation that provides advice on all matters relevant to education and training from the viewpoint of the Aboriginal community. The AECG runs several successful programs and policies across the state that help ensure gains and opportunities in education and training are afforded to Aboriginal people and their communities. You can call them on (02) 9550 5666.
• There are other programs and opportunities for Aboriginal children and teenagers across many schools. Find out what’s on offer and what’s available, with help from your caseworker if you need it. Support kids to connect with their culture and community through school activities and events, too.