Information for families starting Prep in 2025
Prep Transition HANDBOOK 2025-2026
PRINCIPAL ’ S MESSAGE
Dear Families
We are delighted to welcome you to The Lakes South Morang College. Thank you for entrusting us with your child ’ s education. Our school is dedicated to fostering a strong partnership with families, built on mutual respect and trust. We believe that the transition to school is a significant milestone, and our committed teachers work diligently to ensure that this experience is positive and supportive for both students and parents/carers.
Our highly qualified staff are dedicated to nurturing your child ’ s development throughout their first year, establishing a solid foundation for a successful educational journey. To assist in this transition, we offer a comprehensive program led by our Prep team, designed to introduce preschool children to the school environment.
We strongly encourage all enrolled Prep children for 2026 to participate in this program, as it provides an invaluable opportunity to acclimate to school life.
We look forward to a fruitful and enriching partnership with you and your child in the coming year.
Bill Panas College Principal
Marcus Abney-Hastings Primary Campus Principal
2026 Ready
CONTENTS
TRANSITION DATES
1
SESSION INFORMATION
2
Session 1
2
Session 2
2
Session 3
3
Session 4
3
2026 TERM DATES
4
Term Dates
4
Literacy & Numeracy Assessment
5
Official First Day of School
5
PREP PROGRAM
6
SCHOOL READINESS
7
Physical Development
7
Social Development
8
Emotional Development
9
Intellectual Development
10
FURTHER ENQUIRIES
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Prep Transition Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
Prep Transition
TRANSITION DATES FOR PREP 2026 STUDENTS
There will be four transition sessions for your enrolled Prep child to participate in prior to the start of 2026 school year.
Our sessions are designed to be fun and to assist your child to become familiar with our school and teachers so that they feel safe and comfortable in our school environment.
Your child will need to bring a water bottle and a hat . (Please label with your child ’ s name).
During these sessions, parents/carers are encouraged to attend our parent/ carer information sessions in our staffroom.
All sessions will run from 9.15am to 10.30am
Session 1: Wednesday 12 th November 2025
Session 2: Wednesday 19 th November 2025
Session 3: Wednesday 26 th November 2025
Meet the Teacher : Wednesday 10 th December 2025
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The Lakes South Morang College Prep Transition Handbook
Primary Campus
2026 Ready
SESSION INFORMATION
SESSION 1: WEDNESDAY 12 TH NOVEMBER 09.15am - 10.30am
Student session:
Students will have the opportunity to meet the Prep teachers and familiarise themselves with their assigned teacher, classmates, and learning environments.
Parent/Carer session:
Meet our College Principal.
•
• General information about The Lakes South Morang College.
• Find out about important dates for transition and starting school.
Familiarise yourself with our College uniform.
•
SESSION 2: WEDNESDAY 19 TH NOVEMBER 09.15am - 10.30am
Student session:
Students will continue to build relationships with their peers and teacher, further enhancing their sense of belonging in the classroom.
Parent/Carer session:
• Hear from Camp Australia, our outside hours care provider.
Learn how to set your child up for school.
•
Information about Term 1.
•
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Prep Transition Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
Prep Transition
SESSION 3: WEDNESDAY 26 TH NOVEMBER 09.15am - 10.30am
Student session:
Students will further strengthen their relationships with peers and their teacher, enhancing their sense of community within the classroom. They will also explore and become acquainted with our outdoor play areas, including the sandpit, playground, and turf areas.
No parent/carer session on this date.
SESSION 4: WEDNESDAY 10 TH DECEMBER 09.15am - 10.30am
Student session:
Meet the Teacher - Students will attend a Meet the Teacher session in their 2026 Prep group, where they will be introduced to their 2026 Prep teacher.
No parent/carer session on this date.
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The Lakes South Morang College Prep Transition Handbook
Primary Campus
2026 Ready
2026 TERM DATES
TERM 1
Wednesday 28 th January to Friday 27 th March 2026
Wednesday 28th January - Meet & Greet Thursday 29th January - Official student start Years 1-6
PREP STUDENT START
Thursday 29th January – half day
Friday 30th January - full day
TERM 2
Monday 13 th April to Friday 26 th June 2026
TERM 3
Monday 13 th July to Friday 18 th September 2026
TERM 4
Monday 5 th October to Friday 18 th December 2026
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Prep Transition Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
Prep Transition
MEET AND GREET
LITERACY & NUMERACY ASSESSMENT
Wednesday 28 th January 2026
Families, with their child, will be scheduled to attend a 10-minute introductory meeting with their child ’ s Prep teacher. During this time, parents/carers and their child will engage in a "get to know you" session. Please note that Prep students will attend school exclusively for this interview. You will receive your meet and greet time at the last transition session.
The Prep assessments will be conducted individually between your child and their teacher. The purpose of these assessments is to help the teacher understand each child's developmental level and to design a tailored educational program suited to their needs. Prep students will attend school only for their scheduled assessment, and parent/carer presence is not required during this one-hour session. Families will schedule their assessment times via Compass. Additional information will be provided during the transition process. The dates for the assessments are as follows:
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Thursday 29 th January 2026
All Prep students will attend school for half a day on their first day:
Group 1: 9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
•
Group 2: 12:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
•
Wednesday 4 th February 2026
Wednesday 11 th February 2026
Families will receive printed information on the final transition day confirming which group their child has been placed in. Please note that from Friday, 30 January, regular school hours will apply: 9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday 18 th February 2026
Wednesday 25 th February 2026
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The Lakes South Morang College Prep Transition Handbook
Primary Campus
2026 Ready
PREP PROGRAM
The Prep Program promotes investigation and inquiry skills through structured play and group activities. It develops and supports interpersonal skills and oral language development.
The outcomes are for our students to become literate, numerate and creative thinkers.
The Prep Program includes:
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Literacy
•
Numeracy
•
Oral Language Program
•
Play Based Inquiry
•
ICT - iPads
•
Buddy Program
•
Perceptual Motor Program (PMP)
•
Visual Arts
•
Performing Arts/Music
•
STEM
•
Health & Physical Education
•
Library
•
Social and Emotional Learning
•
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
•
Auslan
• Various excursions and incursions relating to units of study
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Prep Transition Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
Prep Transition
SCHOOL READINESS
Many parents ask,
“ What can I do to help my child be ready for the Prep year? ”
There are 4 main areas of development.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
School-aged children need developed self-care skills, as there may be times when an adult is not readily available to assist them.
It is helpful if children can:
• Feed themselves independently e.g. ability to open food containers and wrappers.
• Dress/undress independently e.g. ability to manage simple fastners (buttons, zippers, velcro, laces) to put on or take off shoes/jumpers.
• Manage their personal hygiene e.g. ability to wash their hands, use a tissue, and manage toileting needs independently.
• Follow predictable morning and evening routines to maintain focus throughout the day e.g. ample food in the morning, appropriate sleep times etc.
• Demonstrate hand-eye coordination e.g. the ability to coordinate hand movements with visual input which is essential for tasks such as writing and drawing.
• Have a developing ability for grip strength e.g. ability to hold a pencil/crayon and manipulate scissors.
You can assist your child's physical development by:
• Practising independence when opening and closing their lunchbox, unwrapping food and drinking from a drink bottle or a tap.
• Talking to them about their “ playtime/recess snack ” and their “ lunch ”.
• Encouraging your child to use tissues and to blow their nose when they need to.
• Teaching appropriate use of public toilets e.g. protective behaviours around privacy, hygenic use, use of urinals etc.
Developing effective sleeping and waking patterns.
•
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The Lakes South Morang College Prep Transition Handbook
Primary Campus
2026 Ready
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
At The Lakes the Prep students will be mixing with more children than at their kindergarten. They need to feel safe and happy in the playground and the classroom.
It is helpful if children can:
Confidently seek help in different settings.
•
• Work cooperatively in groups, including taking turns, listening to others, and handling wins and losses with appropriate coping strategies.
Approach peers and request to join activities.
•
You can assist your child's social development by:
Encouraging your child to ask for help if they need it.
•
• Playing games to learn how to take turns, listen to others and how to cope with a win or a loss.
• Trying not to let your child “ win ” all the time. It often causes disappointment when they lose at school.
• Discussing ways to approach other children and ask to join in the game. Emphasise Consent strategies - asking politely, waiting for a response, respecting the decision that is made. Also discuss turn- taking, equality in friendships and respectful relationships (non- aggressive behaviour).
• Facilitate playdates with classmates to build social connections.
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Prep Transition Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
Prep Transition
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Children settle into school quickly and happily if they are prepared emotionally.
You can assist your child's emotional development by:
• Reassuring your child that you will return at the end of the school day, or support them with the knowledge around who will be collecting them, from where and when. • Maintaining a positive attitude about school to foster a sense of security. Students are very perceptive to the thoughts and feelings of their parents/ carers - if we model feelings of happiness and security around school, children are more likely to respond in positive ways. • Settle your child into the classroom, say goodbye, and avoid lingering as this will likely cause anxiety for your child. Be assured that we will contact you if any issues arise. • Being on time to pick your child up at the end of the school day. If you are not picking up your child, tell them and their teacher who will be collecting them.
• Encouraging them to look after their belongings. Help them by showing them where you have labelled their clothing.
• Visiting the school grounds after school-hours for a bike ride or a play on the equipment. Point out to children the buildings and places they can play.
• Developing independence by letting them carry their bag and reader bag. Remind them but do not do it for them.
• Praising your child. If you see them as successful, they will see themselves that way.
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The Lakes South Morang College Prep Transition Handbook
Primary Campus
2026 Ready
INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
Building a child's vocabulary and understanding of our language will support them to communicate and build on their knowledge and skills. Develop their understanding through conversation.
You can assist your child's intellectual development by:
• Engaging in daily conversations, expanding their vocabulary and understanding of their environment. For example, talk about and ask them about the colours they can see around them.
• Reading to your child daily and model a love for reading. Let them see you reading.
• Encouraging your child to notice and read print in their environment. Most children can “ read ” the McDonalds sign. What others can they find?
• Counting small groups of objects. “ How many steps are we going up? ” “ Help me set the table – get 4 spoons. ”
• Practicing counting small groups of objects together and discuss concepts of weight and size during shopping.
• Providing writing materials at home to foster early writing skills. It may look like scribble but it is the beginning of writing.
• Helping your child to recognise their name. Write it for them and encourage them to write it.
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Prep Transition Handbook The Lakes South Morang College
Prep Transition
But remember –
In any Prep class children will be learning at different rates. Don't compare what your child is doing with somebody else in the grade or to an older sibling.
Trying to hurry children before they are ready will not work. Prep teachers expect a wide range of skills and abilities and plan for a variety of activities to develop the individual child.
Starting school is an exciting time for you and your child.
Be positive.
Enjoy the year.
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The Lakes South Morang College Prep Transition Handbook
Primary Campus
FURTHER ENQUIRIES
We welcome all enquiries regarding enrolling at The Lakes South Morang College. Please telephone staff at the general office on 9404 9000 during business hours (8.15am – 4.00pm) or visit our website: www.thelakes.edu.au and complete an expression of interest form.
Tours of the College can be arranged by contacting our Primary Campus.
Primary Campus
275 Gordons Road South Morang 3752
03 9404 9000
www.thelakes.edu.au
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