​​About Prep

​Catholic schools are committed to providing a special place for your child in Prep. Our school offers:

• An exciting, fun, inquiry and play-based curriculum,
• specialised facilities and equipment,
• qualified, dedicated teachers and committed support staff,
• faith and values development integrated into the curriculum,
• close partnerships with parents, carers, families and community,
• commitment to the growth and development of the whole child - spiritually, intellectually, physically, culturally, socially and emotionally,
• a safe environment and caring​ community fostering the unique beauty of each child,
• integration within the wider school community enabling a smooth transition to Year 1 and beyond.

Can my child go to Prep?

To be eligible to enrol in Prep your child must turn 5 by 30 June in the year of attendance in Prep.

​Enrolment in Prep Year

​​It is compulsory for all Queensland children to undertake full-time Prep Year, prior to commencing in Year 1. The changes have been made to establish the importance of Prep as the first year of schooling.

Most parents and carers enrol their child in Prep at the Prep - eligible age - in the year they turn five by 30 June. However, parents and carers still retain flexibility to enrol their child in Prep the following year, in the year they turn six by 30 June, giving consideration to the child's developmental, behavioural and emotional readiness for schooling.

The only exceptions to compulsory participation in Prep are where:

• ​A child has undertaken education in another jurisdiction that is equivalent to Prep,
  
• a child was registered for home education in the year prior to enrolment in a state or non-state school, or
  
• the Principal is satisfied the child is ready to be enrolled in Year 1 taking into account the child's attributes.
  

​How will my child benefit​ from Prep at Saint Mary's

National and international research highlights the importance of quality fulltime early education and smooth transitions to formal schooling to aid children's long term educational outcomes.

Research tells us that children learnt best when they actively construct knowledge of their world around them. Therefore your child will be actively involved in and inquiry-based learning program where teachers and children work together to explore, observe, ask questions, discuss observations and seek answers about every day experiences.

An old adage states: "tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand" - this is the essence of inquiry learning where your child actively constructs knowledge in a meaningful way. Prep programs that are child-centred and play based will improve you​r child's social and problem-solving skills and encourage them to have a greater interest in learning.

​How do I enrol my child in Prep?

To enrol in Prep please complete an Online Enrolment Application​ or contact the College office to obtain an enrolment pack.

What activities will my child be doing in a Prep program?

Some of the activities your child will be participating in:

• ​Actively making choices about what and how they learn,
  
• investigating and learning how to inquire about their interests,
  
• planning collaboratively with the teacher,
  
• participating in music and language experiences,
  
• investigating and playing independently, in pairs, small groups and as a class,
  
• participating in dramatic play to build an understanding of themselves and the world around them,
  
• drawing and painting to encourage oral language, reading and writing skills,
  
• constructing, using blocks and creating collages to develop early mathematical concepts and skills.
  

​​What will they wear?

​​​Your child will wear the College sports uniform on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the College formal uniform on Tuesday and Thursday of each week.

What will my child learn about Religious Education?

​​The Religious Education Guidelines for Early Years support teaching and learning of religious education in the Preparatory year and align with the aim of Religious Education in the Brisbane Archdiocese.

"All young Catholics, throughout their school years, are provided with opportunities for religious education suited to their age, background and the changing world in which they live".

(Policy Statement Religious Education od School-Aged Catholics-Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education Council August 2025)

How can I be involved in my child's learning?

​Building partnerships is a key part of the new early years curriculum. Making partnerships with families and carers is a key element to a positive learning environment for young children. Prep teachers will be building on these partnerships and involving families in a variety of ways in the prep classroom.

​​If my child has a disability, can they still attend Prep?

​If your child has a disability and is of eligible age, they will be included in Prep classes wherever possible. Please refer to Enrolment Application and Support Process here. ​