LouLouSkippy Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Hi, Just wondering how it works in Australia to putting a child back a School year? I know here in the UK there is no chance of doing this. We are moving to Perth in August and am hoping my son currently struggling in year 1 could perhaps repeat the year from February 2017! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleowag Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Hi, would he definitely be in year one here? Have you checked with his birthday and school intake dates, as he may be in pre primary? My son did a year in reception in the UK but then started in pre primary here in October, so it worked out well for him. If not, you could see if they have split classes at the school as there are mixed year groups at my son's school. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedolly Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 How old is he now snd when is his birthday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwen Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Hi, Just wondering how it works in Australia to putting a child back a School year? I know here in the UK there is no chance of doing this. We are moving to Perth in August and am hoping my son currently struggling in year 1 could perhaps repeat the year from February 2017! I wouldn't make that decision straight away because the schools are very different here. Put him in his age specific year and see how he goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouLouSkippy Posted February 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 Hi....He will be 6 in March Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 If he is 6 in March then he is due to start Year 1 this year (now) so effectively he will be repeating. Enrol him to complete Year 1 when you arrive in August and he will commence Year 2 in February 2017, in line with his age group. I'm sure he will manage just fine, don't worry, but have a word with his teacher about your concerns and see what transpires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Posted February 3, 2016 Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 We put one of our boys back a year when we moved from the UK, scool were fine about it, no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 In WA the Education Dept will always place a child in their age appropriate year. I suggest that you talk to the school/principal/teacher about your concerns as they will have strategies in place to support students who are struggling. Bear in mind also that children in UK start school a year before children in WA, so all could be fine. When we came in the early 90's, my son had completed 2 terms in Reception class in UK but had to go into Pre-Primary here. I was quite concerned at the time, but it was actually the best thing for him, and as I volunteered in the classroom in UK and here, I could see that the levels of learning were just about the same. I am sure he will be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laz Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 If he's a March birthday he will be one of the youngest in the class. I would definitely hold him back, and I'm sure you can do it here, no problem (we are at a private school though). I really, really wish I'd held my son (March birthday) back a year when we came. Once they begin school its too hard to get your child to repeat - they've made friends etc. (and a big move, new school is enough to deal with..). Anyway, my son was top of the class in the UK (well, top group for everything...not struggling) and here he is very average...but mainly he looks young compared to a lot of the other boys (he's year 6). Another couple of mums of boys with late birthdays said the same thing - wish they'd kept them back when they moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatpack Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 My mate live in Melbourne and they had their daughter drop back a year as she was struggling. She was 15 at the time and it was making her unhappy to the point of her wanting to go back to the UK. Once she dropped back a year she excelled and is doing fantastic now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shona7 Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 My son is the very youngest in his whole year. His birthday is 30th June which is the cut off date. He really struggled when we first arrived. I considered the same thing and had a meeting with the principal with regards to placing him in the year below. They were quite willing to do this however he informed me that he had known children that struggled socially later on. We decided to keep him in his aged year and with lots of help from school and us he is progressing just fine and he's happy. Just make sure you make an informed choice and discuss with the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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