What school year?

[Gaz12]

Looking to move to Melbourne next Jan 09. My son will be 12 at that point - 13 in March 09.

Can anybody tell me what school year he will be in. Year 7? And will this be the equivalent to year 7 (1st year comp) in the UK.

Ta y'all

[Quoll]

He could be in year 8 because he turns 13 before the cut off date of 30 April. However he would be one of the youngest in the year and you may be better off putting him in year 7. Year 7 is the first year of High School (the 8th year of full time schooling) and it might be better for him socially to begin HS with other kids when they are all making the change. If OTOH he is doing very well at school, the chances are that he would be ahead of his age peers anyway and so could manage year 8 without too much hassle. I'd say you have a choice there and it would really depend upon how well your son is doing at school socially and academically.

[Gaz12]

Ah yes. I should have said year 8. I would say he is a slightly above average student. So if the two education systems are the same he would be starting year 8 again in Jan 09? I know it's not the same, but better than moving into a higher year somehow. Thanks again.

I'm pleased we are doing this now rather than later as I've heard some horror story about kids doing GCSEs, then moving, and having difficulties doing their year 12. Top of our list is making sure our son;s education is not affected to the point of no return.

[Quoll]

Originally Posted by Gaz12

Ah yes. I should have said year 8. I would say he is a slightly above average student. So if the two education systems are the same he would be starting year 8 again in Jan 09? I know it's not the same, but better than moving into a higher year somehow. Thanks again.

I'm pleased we are doing this now rather than later as I've heard some horror story about kids doing GCSEs, then moving, and having difficulties doing their year 12. Top of our list is making sure our son;s education is not affected to the point of no return.

He will be starting year 8 in January - I'd ignore the "again" bit, it's just that he is slotting into the native system and can forget where he has been. He will get two summer holidays though if you arrive early in Jan!!! If you arrive at the end of Jan he will be having a very looooooong year He should be fine and you are right that the education move is better done when they are young!