Welcome to School
A Parent’s Guide to Victorian Government Schools
This publication provides a range of useful information for parents of children beginning primary school.
Starting school is an important step in a child’s learning journey. This booklet is designed to help make school easier and enjoyable.
The guide provides information about some of the innovative programs and activities offered in the early years (Prep – Year 4) that aim to make school exciting and engaging. It also has useful information to help parents become involved in and understand more about their child’s education.
Download the booklet:
Text versions in languages other than English:
- Welcome to School - Arabic (PDF - 789Kb)
- Welcome to School - Chinese (PDF - 1.2Mb)
- Welcome to School - Vietnamese (PDF - 761Kb)
Additional copies
Printed copies of the booklet are distributed to parents via their kindergarten programs at the end of the year. Additional copies are available from:
- Information Victoria (phone 1300 366 356)
- primary and special schools
- community venues such as libraries and local government offices.
Printed copies of the booklet or a CD of audio files of this material can be requested by email, fax or phone. Please provide your name, address and phone number.
Listen to an audio version:
- Introduction to the audio files (MP3 - 105Kb) 15sec. download via 56kB modem
- Message from the Ministers (MP3 - 445Kb) 1min., 5sec. download via 56kB modem
- Introduction (MP3 - 457Kb) 1min., 45sec. download via 56kB modem
- School dates (MP3 - 296Kb) 42sec. download via 56kB modem
- Getting ready for school () 4min., 30sec. download via 56kB modem
- Life at school (MP3 - 2.7Mb) 6min. 11sec. download via 56kB modem
- In the classroom (MP3 - 2.5Mb) 6min. download via 56kB modem
- Wellbeing, health and medical (MP3 - 2.6Mb) 6min. download via 56kB modem
- Communication between school and parents (MP3 - 1.1Mb) 2min. 25sec. download via 56kB modem
- Being involved (MP3 - 1.0Mb) 2min. 22sec. download via 56kB modem
- Support for students (MP3 - 725Kb) 1min. 43sec. download via 56kB modem
- Further information (MP3 - 349Kb) 50sec. download via 56kB modem
- Translations (MP3 - 77Kb) 11sec. download via 56kB modem
- Additional copies (MP3 - 63Kb) 10sec. download via 56kB modem
- Accessibility statement (MP3 - 125Kb) 17sec. download via 56kB modem
- Publishing and copyright (MP3 - 304Kb) 43sec. download via 56kB modem
- Closing announcement (MP3 - 101Kb) 15sec. download via 56kB modem
This information can also be found elsewhere on the Education website.
The booklet also promotes the online Parent Update newsletter. Parents who subscribe to the newsletter are kept updated with the latest information and changes to education in Victoria.