Cecil Hills Public School

Believe and Achieve

Telephone02 9822 0504

Emailcecilhills-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Year groups

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an important year of schooling as children formally begin to develop their literacy and numeracy skills. Our whole school community will help your child adjust to school and help them to feel comfortable.

When to start school

Your child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July in that year. By law, all children must start school by their sixth birthday. When to start your child at school is an individual decision. You may want to discuss this with us or with your child's preschool teacher, carer or doctor.Transition to school

We have a set of planned activities to assist your child to make a smooth transition to Kindergarten. Research indicates that children who settle quickly into school are more likely to be socially competent and achieve better results. Contact us to find out about our activities and how you can be involved.

Preparing for Kindergarten

You can help your child prepare for Kindergarten and be organised for the first day by reading the time to start school.

Best Start Kindergarten Assessment

The best start assessment is a tool to help teachers assess your child's skills as they enter school, and to tailor teaching to their individual needs. Teachers will sit with your child when they start school to assess your child's literacy and numeracy skills so that they can develop an appropriate teaching program that caters for your child.


 

Year 1

Your child begins Year 1 with familiar faces and school routines.

Year 1 is the start of Learning Stage 1 and will continue until the end of Year 2. This year students become more involved in school routines and continue to develop their social skills as they interact with other children in the classroom and playground.

Students in Year One who are experiencing difficulties in Reading are selected to be involved in a Reading Recovery Program. This early intervention program has had much success in raising reading levels.


 

Year 2

Your child is in the final year of Learning Stage 1. 

Students in Year 2 build on their basic reading, writing and maths skills through a variety of activities.


 

Year 3

Your child has taken the significant step from infants to primary school and into the first year of Learning Stage 2.

National test

This is the first year your child sits for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test held in May. There are four tests covering numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

You will receive a report of your child's achievement in the tests. The results tell you how your child is progressing in these areas and can guide the learning support you give your child at home.


 

Year 4

Year 4 is the second and final year of Learning Stage 2.

Getting involved

There are great opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities including competitions, exhibitions, sport, performances and special events. Student leadership programs provide many activities that broaden your child's experience at school.

Opportunity classes

An opportunity class placement test is open to all Year 4 students to assess eligibility for opportunity class places. Opportunity classes are available for academically gifted and talented children in Years 5 and 6 at some schools. If you would like your child to sit this test, please ask us for an application package available from May. The test is held between late July and early August.


 

Year 5

Your child has progressed to Learning Stage 3, the final stage of primary school.

National test

All Year 5 students sit for the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test in May. It involves four tests that cover numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. 

The results of the NAPLAN test help teachers meet the individual literacy and numeracy needs of students. You will receive a report of your child's achievement in the NAPLAN test. The results tell you how your child is progressing in these areas and can guide the learning support you give your child at home.

Getting involved

There are great opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities including competitions, exhibitions, sport, performances and special events. Student leadership programs provide many activities that broaden your child's experience at school.

Selective high school application

Students wishing to be considered for enrolment in a selective high school will need to complete an application this year. Application packages are available in October and the entry exam is taken when your child is in Year 6.

Middle years

At the end of primary school and into high school the needs of young adolescents in the middle years (aged 10 - 15) are integrated into our teaching.


 

Year 6

Year 6 is the final year of primary school and an exciting time as students can take a leadership role in our school. We work together with high schools to assist our Year 6 students to have a successful start to high school.

Middle years

At the end of primary school and into high school the needs of young adolescents in the middle years (aged 10 – 15) are integrated into our teaching.

Getting involved

There are great opportunities for students to participate in extra-curricular activities. These include competitions, exhibitions, sport, performances and special events. Student leadership programs provide many activities that broaden your child's experience at school.

Selective High School Test

This year applicants can sit for the selective high school placement test if they are interested in applying for entry to a selective high school. The test has reading, writing, mathematics and general ability components.

Preparing for high school

Here are some helpful resources for students and parents:


 

Support Unit

Cecil Hills Public School is very proud to have a support unit at our school. The support unit caters for students across the autism spectrum from K-6.

As well as catering for learning needs, teachers encourage students to become more involved in school routines and continue to develop their social skills as they interact with other children in the classroom and playground.