In previous years parents and caregivers have asked a range of questions about back to school issues. We have answered some of the most common questions below.

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  • Does my daughter need to read and write before she starts school?

    Children arrive at school with different skills. Teachers will sit with your daughter during Term 1 to assess her early literacy and numeracy skills so that they can develop an appropriate teaching program.

    These assessment tasks are not tests, simply a tool to help the teacher plan what to teach, and how to teach it.

    A guide for parents on the Best Start Kindergarten: literacy and numeracy assessment, including what students do during the assessment and the kinds of tasks involved, is available on our website.

    NSW Foundation Style handwriting (PDF 5MB) is the style of handwriting taught in NSW public schools.

  • My son is concerned about starting Kindergarten. How can I best prepare him?

    Explain to your son that school is going to be fun and that he will meet many new friends, and take part in lots of exciting learning and play activities.

    Make sure your child can easily open his lunchbox, unwrap sandwiches and open a drink bottle. Boys will also need to feel confident going to the toilet by themselves, and should know how to use a urinal.

    The School A to Z organiser (PDF 33MB) contains more information to assist you in preparing your son for Kindergarten.

    A Special Place (PDF 5MB) is a children's picture book written especially for you to read with your child about starting Kindergarten.

  • How can I make sure my daughter quickly settles into Kindergarten?

    If your daughter doesn't already have friends in her class, after-school play dates with classmates can help her to quickly establish friendships and to feel a sense of belonging.

    Your daughter will also settle more quickly if you're involved with the school. Teachers often ask for parent volunteers to help with reading and mathematics classes each week. If you can find a couple of hours to be involved each term, in or out of school hours, your daughter will be thrilled. You'll also get to know the other children and the classroom teacher.

    Classroom teachers know that starting school can be an anxious time for many kids (and parents too) so feel free to discuss your concerns with them.

  • Our family is so busy – are there any tips for keeping up with my child's school life?

    You'll find when your child starts school that there are lots of notes coming home from the school as well as a regular newsletter. You can download the School A to Z organiser (PDF 33MB) and create a folder to help you keep and organise information you receive from school throughout the year, under the relevant sections.

    If you have the time, joining the school's parents and citizens association will also help you keep up with what's happening. The school can give you details of the P&C's meeting schedule.

  • My children want to buy lunch from the school canteen. What kind of food do they provide?

    Although canteens vary from school to school, they are all required to offer students healthy and nutritious food and drinks, in line with the Australian dietary guidelines for children and adolescents. 

    Canteens endeavour to keep costs down, and often rely on parent volunteers. Your school can provide details of the canteen menu, which may even include food from other cultures.

    Further information on school canteens can be found on our website.

  • How does after school care work?

    Many parents need to drop children off early or pick them up after school hours. The majority of schools have some local fee-charging service they can recommend and many have an out of school hours (OOSH) centre located on or nearby the school grounds.

    OOSH carers undergo working with children checks before they are employed. They'll supervise your child during afternoon tea, and organise planned activities and free play time within a safe environment. At some schools the carers wait at the classroom door each afternoon to walk all participating Kindergarten children to the child care facility.

    You may be eligible for the Centrelink child care benefit to help with OOSH fees, or call Centrelink on 136 150. The Network of Community Activities website has more information about OOSH.

  • Is it compulsory for my child to wear a uniform?

    The majority of schools have a uniform, which is developed in consultation with the school community. A school uniform gives children a sense of belonging to the school community, makes it easy to spot visitors in the playground, and helps identify students on excursions and at sporting events.

    Most schools also have a 'no hat, play in the shade' policy to help children remember to wear their school hat outside for sun protection. If you have a problem with the cost of uniforms, don't be afraid to talk to the principal.

    For further information you can refer to the school uniform policy and the school uniforms in NSW government schools (PDF 821kB) support document.

  • Why are there student-free days each term and when are they?

    Teachers return to school a day prior to students at the commencement of Terms 1, 2 and 3, to participate in school planning and staff development. These days are called school development days (PDF 43kB).

    There are also two more school development days in Term 4. They are usually the last two days of Term but there may be some variation, so please check with your school.

    If your child is starting Kindergarten or Year 7, please check with the school as these students may start on a different day to other children.

  • My child has been placed in a combined or multi-age class. What does this mean?

    A combined or multi-age class brings students from two or more age levels into one class. 

    The school curriculum is organised in stages and multi-age classes are often made up of students from two different age groups who are in the same stage.

    • Stage 1 includes all students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2.
    • Stage 2 includes students in Year 3 and Year 4.
    • Stage 3 includes students in Years 5 and 6.

    Multi-age classes group students according to educational, social and developmental needs rather than just age or year level.

    Research indicates that multi-age grouping can provide both educational and social benefits.

  • Do I have to pay school fees?

    Primary and secondary schools can request financial contributions to enhance educational and sporting programs. School contributions are voluntary and are not compulsory.

    Whether you pay the fees is a matter for you to decide. Parents who cannot pay for elective subjects because of hardship may be helped by the student assistance scheme or other similar funds. Speak to the principal to get more information or discuss your situation.

  • I am concerned that some of the children at the school may not be immunised. What happens if there is an outbreak of, say, measles at our school?

    All children enrolling in school are asked to provide an immunisation history statement.

    If there is an outbreak of measles—or a similar infectious disease—at the school any children for whom proof of immunisation has not been provided will be required to remain at home for the duration of the outbreak. 

    More information about immunisation can be found on our website.

  • What is the best food to pack in a school lunch box?

    A healthy diet can boost learning and help your child thrive during the school day. Learning makes kids hungry and these simple food tips will help yours think more clearly.  Check out the great lunch box recipes from sandwiches to snacks and treats to help you be clever about what you feed your child.   

    Lunch time is when kids play and lunch versus play discusses the reason for packing smart snacks. Importantly, read the lunch box safety tips about how to keep your child's food cool during the summer months, to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

  • My child has a medical condition which may require medication at school. What do I need to do?

    If your child has a health condition, such as diabetes, asthma or allergies, which requires medication to be taken at school, you should advise the school immediately.

    Students must not carry medication unless there is a written agreement between the school and the student's parents.

    More information on health conditions and administering prescribed medication at school is available on our website.

  • What support is there for kids with a learning difficulty or a disability?

    If your child has a disability or any special needs, please inform the principal as early as possible. The NSW Department of Education and Communities provides a range of specialist services to support students with a disability.

    Students who experience difficulties in learning, such as those with mild intellectual disabilities and language disorders, are supported through the learning assistance program in their school.

    Getting ready for school - a guide for parents of a child with disability (PDF 423kB) contains information to assist you.

  • Can I claim a tax refund on school expenses?

    Eligible parents, carers, legal guardians and independent students can claim refunds on a range of back to school items, including computer equipment, educational software, textbooks and stationery as part of the federal government's Education Tax Refund.

    Families can claim up to 50 per cent of eligible education expenses, up to a maximum refund of $794 for high school students and $397 for primary school students on back to school items.

    You can also claim for school-approved uniforms purchased from 1 July 2011 under changes to the Education Tax Refund. Items of clothing including hats, footwear and sports uniforms approved by a school as its uniform may be claimed from 1 July 2012. So keep your receipts.

    For more information visit the Education Tax Refund website.

  • Is there homework in Kindergarten and what do they learn?

    In Kindergarten there is generally no formal homework. Homework in Kindergarten is all about helping your child to read, problem solve and most importantly, play. For little kids, playing is learning. 

    Homework for little kids talks about what you can do to help your child make the most of what they learn at school.

  • My child is receiving a laptop through the school this year. Where can I find more information?

    Students starting in Year 9 this year—or transferring to Year 10 from interstate or an independent school—will receive their own laptop through the Digital Education Revolution - NSW.