Enrolments

Starting school is an important milestone in any child and family's life, and we understand that transition to school requires additional thought, time, planning and support to make the process as smooth and as positive as possible. Please find below information regarding enroling into Great Ryrie Primary School.

Your designated neighbourhood Government school (referred to as your local school) is generally the government school closest to your child’s permanent residential address. Your child has a right to enrol at their local school. This means, if your child lives within the school zone, they must be offered a place when seeking enrolment. To find your local school and other government schools in your area:

1. Enter findmyschool.vic.gov.au into your browser
2. Enter your address under ‘Enter your address to get started’
3. Select the school year you are looking to enrol your child in under ‘Enrolment year’
4. Select primary, secondary or specialist under ‘School type’
5. The map will then show your address, your local school, and on the left the contact details for the school
6. If you scroll down, it will also show you the five closest schools.

The Find my School website is the official and most up to date source of school zone maps in Victoria. All government primary, secondary and specialist schools are on Find my School.

Tours

Prep 2025
If you are in our school zone and would like to book school tour for Prep 2025, please click HERE

Years 1-6
If you are in our school zone and looking at transferring your child to Great Ryrie Primary School in 2024/25, please call the office on 03 9870 6098 to book a tour. 

At the conclusion of your tour, you will receive a comprehensive Information Pack.

2025 Prep Enrolments - NEW Digital Enrolment

This year our school will use a new online system for new enrolments. All primary schools in Inner East and Outer East areas of the North East Victoria Region are now using this online system. 
  
The online system will be available for families who are applying to enrol their child in Prep. An online application can be completed on laptops, PC’s and mobile devices. The online system will also allow you to upload documentation required for your child's enrolment. It is important to note that the placement policy is followed by all government schools. You can view the placement policy here. Your chance of being offered a place in the school you apply for are not advantaged or disadvantaged by using this system.

Victorian government school prep enrolments for the 2025 school year are now open. Families are asked to submit enrolment applications by Friday 26 July 2024. Click here to start the digital enrolment process. Please also find a Digital Enrolment Guide here to assist. Please also remember to upload Documents Required to your digital enrolment application.

All government primary schools will follow the timeline in 2024 to support prep enrolments for the 2025 school year.  Please find useful information, resources and factsheets  about the timeline linked.

Prep Transition

When children first start school there is a lot for them to get used to. Some children will adapt more easily than others. There are many things you can do to help your child transition to school as smoothly as possible, to aid in this, Great Ryrie Primary School runs an extensive Transition Program beginning in October, for all future Prep students.

Transition Sessions allow students to become familiar with some of the routines of school and meet our wonderful teachers. Children will participate in a variety of activities and they might even meet a new friend.

During the Transition period, we also offer a number of Information Sessions for families to learn more about the school, curriculum, daily routines, and how you can help at home. At the final session, the children will be introduced to their Prep class teacher and the children who will be in their class.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a designated neighbourhood school (referred to as your local school)?

Your designated neighbourhood school (local school) is generally the government school closest to your child’s permanent residential address. Each residential address has both a local government primary and secondary school. All children of compulsory school age have a right to be enrolled at their local school.

How can I find my local school?    

All government primary, secondary and specialist schools are presented on the Find my School website. Type in your home address and the website will then find your local school.

Which schools have a school zone?

All mainstream government primary and secondary schools have a zone. Some campuses of multi-campus schools also have their own school zone. Schools with different enrolment criteria, such as English Language Schools and Select Entry Schools, do not have a school zone. Specialist schools (for students with disabilities) do not have school zones but are included on the Find my School website to support parents and carers make informed decisions about school options.

What is a school zone and how are they determined?

A school zone defines an area’s designated neighbourhood government school (local school).

For children residing in metropolitan areas, and in Ballarat, Bendigo or Geelong, their local school is usually the nearest government school in a straight line from the child’s permanent address. In any other area of Victoria, it is usually the nearest school by the shortest practical route, recognising the additional travel distances often experienced in regional settings.

How does a school decide who gets a place?

All children have the right to attend their designated neighbourhood school (known as their local school). In some cases, a school may not have enough space to enrol all students from outside their zone. In these cases, schools must manage enrolments using the department’s Placement Policy and priority order of placement. This outlines how to prioritise out of zone applications when limited places are available. The priority order of placement for out of zone enrolments is:

• students with a sibling at the same permanent address who are attending the school at the same time.
• all other students in order of closeness of their home to the school.

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be enrolled on compassionate grounds. Applications on compassionate grounds are considered on a case-by-case basis. If your circumstances are challenging and your local school is not suitable you should talk to the principal or a Community Liaison Officer in the regional office. The department’s Placement Policy does not apply to schools with specific entry criteria, including Specialist Schools, English Language Schools, Select Entry Schools, or Community Schools.

Does my child have to attend their local school, or can I choose a different school?

You can seek enrolment at schools other than your local school. Applications are considered in line with the department’s Placement Policy.

Schools can only enrol students who do not live in the school zone if they have sufficient accommodation. How do I know if a school has enough space to accept my child?

Your child is guaranteed a place at their local school, regardless of the school’s capacity. If you are seeking enrolment at another school, you can reach out to the school directly and ask if they are accepting out of zone students. Schools should be able to indicate if they are under enrolment pressure and only able to enrol local students and siblings.