2026 Enrolments
Thank you for exploring our website and considering Essendon Primary School. The formal enrolment process for 2026 Foundation students has recently been finalised. However, we do have places available in all year levels and would love to show you around the school.
Please call our friendly office staff 03 9370 7816 or essendon.ps@education.vic.gov.au to arrange a tour.
Foundation Transition and Orientation Sessions
During Term 3, families who have accepted a place will be invited to meet with the Foundation Coordinator and Well-being Assistant Principal as part of our transition process
2026 Foundation Orientation sessions will take place from 9:30 to 10:30am on 4 mornings in Term 4 commencing on Friday 21st November (Friday 21st & 28th November and Friday 5th & Friday 12th December). After the successful transition of students in previous years, we will continue to have all year levels step up to their new year level during this time. This will allow us the opportunity to explore different groupings of students, seek feedback from teachers, students and parents and collect student-learning information in preparation for a smooth transition in 2026. In the meantime, year 6 students will be able to work on their own transition program in preparation for secondary school. Our final transition day, when students will meet as a 2026 cohort with their 2026 teachers in their designated learning space will be Friday 12th December.
Please note: Wednesday 28th January will be the start of the school year for students in Years 1 to 6. 2026 Foundation (Prep) students will start on Thursday 29 January 2026.
2027 Foundation Students
To start primary school in 2027, your child will need to turn five (5) years old by 30 April 2027. For children whose birthday falls after April 30 in the year in which s/he commences school, the application must first be approved by the Department of Education before the application can be considered by the school. Schooling is compulsory for children who have turned 6 years old.
A statewide timeline will continue to be in place for enrolling your child in Foundation (Prep) for the 2027 school year. All government primary schools, including P-9 and P-12 schools, will follow the same timeline. If your child is starting Foundation (Prep) in 2027, you will be able to apply to enrol your child in a Victorian government primary school from the start of Term 2, 2026 (Monday 20 April 2026).
Criteria for Enrolment
1. All applicants must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate, immunisation status and if applicable, a copy of the most recent school report.
2. Applicants born overseas must provide a certified copy of their passport and visa.
3. Full fee paying International students should contact the International Student Division of the Department of Education on 9651 3700 prior to contacting the school.
Enrolment Priorities and 2027 Process
The Enrolment Process for 2027 Foundation students will commence on Monday 20th April when the 'Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents/Carers.', including an application to enrol will be available to download.
Please check your address at the FindMySchool website. Please note, to be inside the school neighbourhood, Essendon Primary School must be listed as your first school in the list.
1) If you live inside our school neighbourhood, we will automatically accept your enrolment!
2) If you have another child already enrolled at our school, we will automatically accept your enrolment!
3) If you live outside our school neighbourhood, we strongly encourage you to still submit an application to enrol, and we will determine whether or not we can accept your enrolment, based on the Department of Education's Placement Policy.
For more information on school zones, please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/school-zones Families will be notified of the outcome of their application near the start of Term 3.
2027 Tours
We welcome prospective families to attend one of our formal school tours to be held in Term 2 2026 where we are able to offer a comprehensive information session and tour of the school buildings and grounds. They are an excellent opportunity to see some of our classrooms in action and onsite facilities as well as ask questions. It is also a chance to see if our school could be the best fit for your family and children. It is important to look at a range of schools and consider the different programs they offer, as well as the culture within the school community. The sessions last approximately an hour and will be facilitated by the Principal &/or the Assistant Principal.
Bookings will be available via a link on our website near the start of the 2026 school year.
Thank you for exploring our website and considering Essendon Primary School. The formal enrolment process for 2026 Foundation students has recently been finalised. However, we do have places available in all year levels and would love to show you around the school.
Please call our friendly office staff 03 9370 7816 or essendon.ps@education.vic.gov.au to arrange a tour.
Foundation Transition and Orientation Sessions
During Term 3, families who have accepted a place will be invited to meet with the Foundation Coordinator and Well-being Assistant Principal as part of our transition process
2026 Foundation Orientation sessions will take place from 9:30 to 10:30am on 4 mornings in Term 4 commencing on Friday 21st November (Friday 21st & 28th November and Friday 5th & Friday 12th December). After the successful transition of students in previous years, we will continue to have all year levels step up to their new year level during this time. This will allow us the opportunity to explore different groupings of students, seek feedback from teachers, students and parents and collect student-learning information in preparation for a smooth transition in 2026. In the meantime, year 6 students will be able to work on their own transition program in preparation for secondary school. Our final transition day, when students will meet as a 2026 cohort with their 2026 teachers in their designated learning space will be Friday 12th December.
Please note: Wednesday 28th January will be the start of the school year for students in Years 1 to 6. 2026 Foundation (Prep) students will start on Thursday 29 January 2026.
2027 Foundation Students
To start primary school in 2027, your child will need to turn five (5) years old by 30 April 2027. For children whose birthday falls after April 30 in the year in which s/he commences school, the application must first be approved by the Department of Education before the application can be considered by the school. Schooling is compulsory for children who have turned 6 years old.
A statewide timeline will continue to be in place for enrolling your child in Foundation (Prep) for the 2027 school year. All government primary schools, including P-9 and P-12 schools, will follow the same timeline. If your child is starting Foundation (Prep) in 2027, you will be able to apply to enrol your child in a Victorian government primary school from the start of Term 2, 2026 (Monday 20 April 2026).
Criteria for Enrolment
1. All applicants must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate, immunisation status and if applicable, a copy of the most recent school report.
2. Applicants born overseas must provide a certified copy of their passport and visa.
3. Full fee paying International students should contact the International Student Division of the Department of Education on 9651 3700 prior to contacting the school.
Enrolment Priorities and 2027 Process
The Enrolment Process for 2027 Foundation students will commence on Monday 20th April when the 'Foundation (Prep) Enrolment Information Pack for Parents/Carers.', including an application to enrol will be available to download.
Please check your address at the FindMySchool website. Please note, to be inside the school neighbourhood, Essendon Primary School must be listed as your first school in the list.
1) If you live inside our school neighbourhood, we will automatically accept your enrolment!
2) If you have another child already enrolled at our school, we will automatically accept your enrolment!
3) If you live outside our school neighbourhood, we strongly encourage you to still submit an application to enrol, and we will determine whether or not we can accept your enrolment, based on the Department of Education's Placement Policy.
For more information on school zones, please visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/school-zones Families will be notified of the outcome of their application near the start of Term 3.
2027 Tours
We welcome prospective families to attend one of our formal school tours to be held in Term 2 2026 where we are able to offer a comprehensive information session and tour of the school buildings and grounds. They are an excellent opportunity to see some of our classrooms in action and onsite facilities as well as ask questions. It is also a chance to see if our school could be the best fit for your family and children. It is important to look at a range of schools and consider the different programs they offer, as well as the culture within the school community. The sessions last approximately an hour and will be facilitated by the Principal &/or the Assistant Principal.
Bookings will be available via a link on our website near the start of the 2026 school year.