The South
Australian Government recognises four stages of learning:
- Early stage
- Primary years stage
- Middle years stage
- Senior years
Early stage
From birth
to age seven, children are in the early stage of learning. This includes
childcare, preschool (kindergarten), reception and Years 1 and 2 of primary
school. Children can begin preschool at four years of age (Aboriginal children
at three years), while Reception begins at age five or six. Years 1 and 2 are
commenced at ages six and seven.
The national
Early Years Learning Framework guides the learning and development of children
from birth
to five years of age. Programs are designed to encourage
children’s communication, discovery, imagination and creativity.
In Reception
(Foundation) to Year 2, students’ learning is centred on
the Australian Curriculum. Priority is given to literacy and numeracy
development. Students are also exposed to the Health and Physical Education,
Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Arts and Technologies, and Languages
curricula.
Primary years stage
The primary
years stage includes Years 3 to 5 of primary school, covering children aged
eight to 10. Students’
learning is based on the Australian
Curriculum, with a continued emphasis on literacy and numeracy.
Middle years stage
The middle
years stage of learning includes Years 6 and 7 in primary school and Years 8
and 9 in high school. It covers children aged 11 to 14. Unlike in other states,
where Year 7 marks the entry into secondary school, South Australian students
commence high school in Year 8.
Secondary years stage
Students aged 15 to 17 are generally in the secondary years stage of learning,
which covers Years 10 to 12 of high school. They may choose to complete Year 12
and gain the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), commence other
education and training options or enter the workforce.
All young
people under the age of 17 must attend full-time schooling, training or work
for a minimum of 25 hours per week.
