Surfside Primary School Newsletter

Enrolling your child in primary school

2026 Surfside PS Sibling Enrolments 

It has been great to see our Prep students start full time and we are already planning our 2026 Prep enrolment tours and information sessions. Our official enrolment period for 2026 opens on day 1 of term 2. Under Department of Education guidance Surfside Primary School currentlay has in place an Enrolment Management Plan as we are currently at capacity. We are only able to currently fulfil the following within the DET placement policy:

 

'In circumstances where schools do not have sufficient accommodation to accept all students who apply from outside their school zone, schools must manage enrolment applications in accordance with the following priority order of placement:

  1. students with a sibling at the same permanent address who are attending the school at the same time
  2. all other students in order of closeness of their home to the school (only within the designated Find my School zone)

If you have a younger child that is ready for school in 2026 we would appreciate you letting us know  so we can ensure a place for you in 2026.  Please refer to the Prep enrolment timeline and guidelines below and this information will be in our newsletters throughout term 2:

 

The timeline will apply for children starting Foundation (Prep) in 2026.

You can find information and resources about the timeline, including factsheets, at: Enrolling in Foundation (Prep). You can also download the ‘Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents/Carers for the 2025 school year’ from the Starting School webpage. (available from Tuesday 24th April)

You will be able to apply to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) 2026 at Surfside Primary School from Tuesday 24th April 2025.

What you need to do:

  1. Contact the school on 5256 1411, pop into the office or book a school tour when tours are made available 
  2. Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 25 July 2025
  3. You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 28th July and Friday 8th August, 2025. If you receive an offer of placement, you should contact our school to accept the offer by Friday 22nd August 2025.
  4. Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2024
  5. Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from the week starting Wednesday 28th January 2026.

Enrolment applications submitted after Friday 25th July, 2025 will be processed by our school as they are received, in accordance with the department’s Placement Policy.

Steps to enrol your child in Foundation (Prep) for the 2026 school year

To start primary school in 2026, your child will need to turn 5 years old by 30 April 2026. Schooling is compulsory for children who have turned 6 years old.

If your child is starting Foundation (Prep) in 2026, you will be able to apply to enrol your child in a Victorian government primary school from the start of Term 2, 2025 (Tuesday 22 April 2025).

What you need to do:

  1. Use Find my School to locate your designated neighbourhood school (referred to as your local school) and other nearby government schools.
  2. Contact a government primary school to book a school tour or to learn more about the school and the enrolment application process.
  3. Download the Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents and Carers (available on this website by Tuesday 22 April 2025). Surfside PS will provide you with a copy of the enrolment form to complete.
  4. Submit an enrolment application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 25 July 2025.
  5. You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 28 July and Friday 8 August 2025. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should accept the offer by Friday 22 August 2025.
  6. Take part in information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2025.
  7. Your child will start Foundation (Prep) from Wednesday 28 January 2026.

Enrolment applications submitted after 25 July 2025 will be processed by the school as they are received, in accordance with the Department of Education's Placement Policy.

Your child has a right to enrol at their local school. Your child’s local school is determined on the basis of their permanent residential address. Visit Find my School to locate your child’s local school. The enrolling in a school page can also help you to confirm your child’s address for enrolment.

If you are seeking to apply to enrol your child in a school that is not their local school, you should read about school zones and how they work. You should also read about how applications are prioritised using the Department of Education’s Placement Policy found on the enrolling in a school page.

Enrolment information pack for parents and carers

The Enrolment Information Pack for Parents and Carers will be available by Tuesday 22 April 2025 via Surfside PS.

Surfside PS 2026 School Tours

School tours will be available on the following dates and bookings will be available next week via the school website or via the administration office on 5256 1411

  • Monday 12th May at 9.30am
  • Wednesday 14th May at 9.30am
  • Monday 19th May at 9.30am

 

 

 

https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-11/Factsheet-for-foundation-enrolment-2025-26-English_0.pdf