Thousands of five-year-olds took their first step into the classroom at the start of Term 3 as the newest intake of mid-year reception students started school – with more families choosing early access to high-quality education.

Around 4,400 children  started reception at more than 420 public schools, including Kilkenny Primary School which has had strong growth in their July enrolments since South Australia’s mid-year intake program was reinstated in 2024.

Now in its third year, the program has supported more than 13,000 students to start reception in Term 3.

The department is supporting upgrades to schools and building capacity – including a $12 million investment at Kilkenny PS to deliver a new gymnasium and additional infrastructure upgrades as part of a $210 million state budget measure.

The mid-year intake allows children born in the middle of the year (1 May and 31 October) to start school in the year they turn five.

New students either formed a new reception class – like the 15 new students at Kilkenny Primary – or joined an existing reception class.

Principal Alex Narcys said the mid-year intake was an exciting milestone for the Kilkenny Primary community.

“It's wonderful to welcome a new group of students and families as they begin their learning journey, and having modern, high-quality learning spaces ready for them makes a real difference,” said Mr Narcys.

Transition visits offered by schools in the lead-up allowed mid-year students to meet their new reception teachers and become familiar with a new learning environment.

They joined over 12,000 reception students who started school in January this year.

Children who started school at the beginning of the year will complete four terms of reception, while children who started mid-year in Term 3 will complete six terms.

Whether they start in January or July, all reception students will have the same types of learning experiences, tailored to their individual needs.

Preschool mid-year intake also started at the commencement of Term 3, with 385 government preschools welcoming new groups of children. This measure was implemented in 2023 ahead of the universal rollout of three-year-old preschool starting this year.

Families who have not yet registered for reception in 2027, either for the start of the year or mid-year intake, are encouraged to do so online.