Welcome to Westminster: Starting Mid-Year Reception
At Westminster we ensure all our Mid-Year Reception children have a confident and supported start to their formal years of Schooling, laying strong foundations for a lifelong love of learning.
Our Mid-Year Reception intake provides an ideal transition into formal schooling. Designed for children turning five between May and October, this program gently bridges the gap between Early Learning and full-time School, offering the perfect environment to build strong foundations for future success.
Key Information
A Confident and Supported Start
At Westminster, we understand that each child learns and develops at their own pace. Our Mid-Year Reception program is carefully designed to foster a sense of belonging, build independence and nurture curiosity. Children are welcomed into a caring and inclusive learning environment, guided by passionate and experienced educators who ensure they feel safe, supported and excited to learn.
Tailored for Development
Mid-Year Reception offers:
- Smaller class sizes to support individualised attention
- A focus on social, emotional and cognitive development
- Opportunities for structured play-based learning
- Integration into the wider School community from the beginning
Children who start in Mid-Year Reception transition into full-time Reception the following year, joining peers who begin in Term 1. This gradual approach allows for a smoother transition and supports greater readiness for the next stage of learning.
Connecting with Families
We believe in strong partnerships with families. From the very beginning, you’ll be supported with clear communication, orientation sessions and opportunities to meet our educators and other families.
You will also have access to:
- A dedicated Transition Orientation Program
- Parent Information Evenings
- Meet-the-Teacher sessions
- Our School App and digital platforms for ongoing updates
Facilities and Learning Spaces
Mid-Year Reception children enjoy access to our purpose-built Early Learning spaces and specialist areas across the campus. This includes outdoor nature play areas, creative arts studios, library visits and physical education sessions, encouraging a holistic approach to learning.
Preparing for Term 3
A letter from the Prep School will outline your child’s booklist and instructions for online ordering. Orders should be placed by 21 June to ensure delivery in time for Term 3.
Instructions for booking your child’s meeting with Mr Simon McKenzie, Head of Preparatory School, will be provided in a separate letter.
Transition Handbook
For full details about your child’s transition to Westminster, download our Mid-Year Reception Transition Handbook
Kindy ELC Visits
Kindy and ELC visits During August and September, the Head of Early Years contacts the Kindergartens or ELCs of children enrolled to enter Reception at St Peter’s Woodlands. The purpose of this conversation is to learn more about the individual child’s development. The information is shared with the child’s new Reception teacher along with notes from the Getting to Know You visit and any further enrolment information.
Class Placements
During the Reception Transition Program, teachers have opportunities to get to know each child. This enables teachers to observe positive friendships and children’s areas of interests. As a result, teachers take their observations into account when making decisions around the best placement of children in class groups. For children, the opportunity to mix in different groups provides space to rekindle past friendships or initiate new ones, and find likeminded peers to bond with.
Uniforms
From Term 3, all Mid-Year Reception students are required to wear the Westminster School uniform.
Our uniforms are available through the Westminster Uniform Shop, located on campus. The shop stocks all required items including summer and sport uniforms, school bags and hats.
Uniform Shop Details
Location: 27 Alison Avenue
Phone: +61 8 8276 0260
Email: uniforms@westminster.sa.edu.au
Opening Hours:
Monday: 8.15am to 4.30pm
Tuesday: 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 8.15am to 4.30pm
Friday: 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Fitting appointments are recommended and can be booked online via our Uniform Shop page.
Orientation and Transition Visits
We offer a series of three structured Orientation visits to help children feel at ease in their new environment and begin forming connections with classmates and teachers. These visits also provide parents with the opportunity to learn more about School life and connect with other families.
Week 6 – Thursday 6 June
9.00 am – 12.00 noon
- Classroom activities
- Children stay for recess – please pack a snack and drink
- Parent Morning Tea and Information Session: 9.00 am – 9.45 am in the Pavilion
Week 7 – Thursday 13 June
9.00 am – 12.00 noon
- Children stay for lunch – please pack snack, lunch and a drink
Week 8 – Thursday 20 June
9.00 am – 2.00 pm
- Full-day visit including play, classroom activities and Chapel
- Please pack snack, lunch and a drink
Children may wear their ELC (sport) uniform for all Transition visits.
Sample Orientation Day
Daily Itinerary
Here’s a detailed itinerary for your child’s final Transition visit. This full-day experience is designed to help them feel increasingly confident and settled in the Junior Primary environment.
9.00 am
Children from the ELC walk across to the Junior Primary (JP Eating Area – JP13 & JP14) with ELC staff.
Kelly Warren and Meg Duggan will greet students and assist with settling in. Bags can be placed on named hooks, and lunch boxes/drink bottles stored in lockers.
9.20 am
Activity 1 – A creative, play-based activity (approx. 20 mins)
9.40 am
Activity 2 – Continued or new classroom-based exploration (approx. 20 mins)
10.00 am
Recess Eating Time – Children eat in class for a calm, unrushed break
10.20 am
Recess Play Time – Supervised outdoor play
10.40 am
Activity 3 – May include a story, artwork or hands-on classroom experience
11.20 am
Classroom Play and Finishing Activities – Opportunity for open-ended play and completing earlier tasks
12.00 pm
Chapel Visit (optional, depending on readiness)
12.30 pm
Early Lunch Eating
12.40 pm
Lunch Play Time
1.30 pm
Story Time, Quiet Time and Pack Up
2.00 pm
Children return to the ELC or meet parents at the Junior Primary playground
Additional Information
Children attending the ELC on Thursdays will be accompanied to and from class by staff
If your child does not attend the ELC on Thursdays, please drop them off at the ELC foyer or Junior Primary playground at 9.00 am and collect them at the appropriate time
All children should bring a labelled snack, lunch and drink bottle
A letter from the Prep School will outline booklist requirements and online ordering. Orders should be placed by 21 June for delivery to School in time for Term 3
Instructions for booking a meeting with Mr Simon McKenzie, Head of Preparatory School, will be provided separately.
Questions?
We are here to support you. If you have any questions about the Transition program or your child’s start at Westminster, please contact us.
Phone: +61 8 8276 0276
Email: enrol@westminster.sa.edu.au