Starting School in 2026

We look forward to welcoming new families to St Kevin’s Dee Why.

As your child prepares to start Kindergarten (or a later grade) at St Kevin’s Dee Why, we know there is a lot of information parents need to know about this exciting event.

This page aims to give you a centralised point for important and relevant information about starting school.

Kindergarten 2026 – St Kevin’s Transition to School Program

The Transition to School Program sessions for 2026 Kindergarten children will be held on the following dates:

  1. Wednesday 15 October – Observation Morning, 9am to 11.30am
  2. Tuesday 28 October – Transition Session 1, 9am to 12noon
  3. Tuesday 11 November – Transition Session 2, 9am to 12noon

Each child starting Kindergarten in 2026 is required to attend the transition sessions.

St Kevin's Key Dates for starting school in 2026 2025 Stationery List - Kindergarten Transition Session 2 (12 November) - Information Session Slides Transition Session 1 (28 October) - Information Session Slides St Kevin's Parent Handbook 2024 (under St Kevin's Forms and Information) St Kevin's Uniform Starter Pack Compass App - User Manual. Please download this App. User logins have been sent to you Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) Qkr - How to Guide St Kevin's Kiss n Ride OOSH Northern Beaches - before and after school care; school holiday program OOSH Northern Beaches - how to make a casual booking OOSH Northern Beaches - how to book a permanent sport at the beginning of the school year Lunchfox - a healthy, lunch option for students Body Bright Family Tip Sheet - Help your child be thoughtful about eating
School Readiness Activities

Here we give you a few activities that you can do at home with your child/ren as they prepare to start school. 

Letter formation for handwriting Mem Fox - Ten Read-Aloud Commandments Let's Count to 30 10 Little Numbers Cutting Skills - Simple Lines Cutting Skills - Flower Cutting Skills - Assorted lines Cutting Skills - Animals
Resources for Parents

Here we share some links to resources for parents.

Resilience: How to build it in children 3-8 years Handwriting in the early years (A guide for parents) - NSW Department of Education The Superpower of Yet: Growth Mindset for Kids - Growth Mindset Education, Twinkl USA Growth Mindset Parenting - Growth Mindset Institute The Learning Pit
Best Start Interview

Best Start is an initiative of the NSW Department of Education to assess children for literacy and numeracy early on entry to Kindergarten. All the details about this process are outlined in the two documents below.

There is no need to prepare your child for this assessment; it is designed for the teacher to understand your child’s current ability and for them to prepare for your child coming to school.

Best Start Kindergarten Assessment Parent and Carer Summary Information Best Start Letter to Parents, NSW Department of Education