Your one stop shop for Kindergarten readiness

What an exciting time for your family! No doubt it feels like only yesterday that your child was a baby in your arms and now you are the parent to an almost Kindergartener!

If this is your first child starting their formal educational journey, you are sure to have a lot of questions. Many of these will be answered at the upcoming Kinder Orientation sessions, but this page will give you a head start in helping you feel prepared.

Thank you for considering St Mary’s College for the beginning of this very special journey for your child.

“The St Mary’s Kinder team is looking forward to working with you and your child with great anticipation.”

Supporting your child’s wellbeing

When your child is confident and comfortable with themselves, that is when they truly excel. St Mary’s College is dedicated to fostering your child’s wellbeing and have a number of resources available to ensure their wellbeing is supported.

Download handout on separation anxiety here: Separation anxiety flier

Download handout on meet the wellbeing team and our programs here: Wellbeing at SMC


Supporting your child’s learning

In Kinder, we will focus on enhancing your child’s strengths, recognising that all children are allowed to develop at their own pace to reach their own individual potential. St Mary’s College is committed to challenging all students to reach their learning potential.

The Lantern Program provides both learning support and extension programs to facilitate appropriate ways for students to engage with the curriculum and aspects of College life on the same basis as others.

Find out more about the Lantern Program here: SMC Lantern Program


Allied Health Professional assessments

If you have any learning and development concerns regarding your child that you think our Lantern Coordinator should be aware of, please make our Head of Junior School aware of this prior to your enrolment interview. You will have the chance to make a note of these concerns prior to the interview by completing the parent declaration form that the College will send you. If your child has accessed any allied health care professionals (such as speech therapists, St Giles programs or occupational therapists) prior to Kinder, please provide copies of their reports to the College so that we can ensure your child has adequate support. Please know that notification of learning delays will not affect the likelihood of enrolment acceptance in any way.


Can my child start Kinder before they turn 4?

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Should I choose three days or five days of Kinder?

 

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Does my child have to know the alphabet and how to count before starting Kinder?

 

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How do I help my child be more independent?

 

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How can I encourage early language awareness?

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Should I be worried if my child is still toilet training at 4?

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What should I pack in my child’s school lunchbox?

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How much of the uniform do I need to purchase?

 

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What aspects of Religious Education are covered in Kinder?

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Are there any relevant health checks I need to know about?

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How can I support my tired little learner?

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What’s a good routine for Kinder children?

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I’m keen to connect with other Kindergarten parents… how do I go about this?

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Groving our love of learning

St Mary's College is located on the traditional lands of the muwinina people of the South East Nation. We acknowledge and deeply respect the palawa people, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community, and all Elders past and present. We are committed to learning alongside our students and community in this place, nipaluna, and support the continued sharing of knowledge and culture.