Correct year for 9 year old?

[legz79]

Hi, we are planning a move back to Aus after 18 years in the UK at the end of this year. We have a son who will be 9 in June and half way through year 5 in the UK system at the end of this year. Am I right in thinking he would actually drop back a year in the Vic system and go in to year 4 at the start of next year?

[Quoll]

A child who is 9 in June 2024 will be in year 3 in Victoria in 2024 - the cut off date for Victoria is 30 April so, yes, you are correct in 2025 he will be in year 4.  However, dont get hung up on the "dropping back" thing - what he will be doing is moving to a foreign country and enrolling with his age cohort.  He will probably find the going really easy.  It is only going to be an issue if you decide to return to UK where he will be quite out of whack with his age cohorts if you transfer the Australian year level thing - different cut off dates, different starting ages etc.

[rammygirl]

It isn’t a whole year anyway since the year starts at the beginning of the year not September. Better that they are with their age group. 

[Jon the Hat]

Based on our then 8-year-old moving two years ago, it takes them some time to get used to the new environment and make some friends. You might even choose to try different schools as we did, moving after a year to a school he is happier in.  Honestly the last thing you will worry about is which school year they are in at that point.