While students across New South Wales are enjoying their summer holidays, more than 60,000 four- and five-year-olds are gearing up to start kindergarten at the state’s public schools. 

Dubbo West Public School is ahead of the curve when it comes to welcoming this year’s cohort who will be making the move across from its preschool.

As part of its broader transition to school program, 28 preschoolers have been lacing up their sneakers and participating in the John Moriarty football program with their future peers.

From dribbling to passing and shooting, the different grassroots soccer activities have been giving the youngsters an opportunity to develop their fine motor, balance and co-ordination skills in a fun and non-competitive environment, one kick at a time.

Principal Jody Hall said the program also gave them the opportunity to build a stronger connection to their new school community and meet future teachers and classmates.

“The transition to school is an exciting time for children, families and teachers and involves navigating and adjusting to several changes,” Ms Hall said.

“It’s a good chance to get them in early, get them involved, happy and familiar with their new surroundings.

 “These activities give children a feeling of belonging in the school, the engagement with the activities and the kids that are here and the playground, the familiarity of the uniforms and the location of places around the school.”

Kicking goals

Established in 2012, the John Moriarty program is Australia’s longest running Indigenous football initiative that uses the sport to help drive positive change in some of the country’s most remote towns and help Aboriginal families unlock the potential of their children.

While learning soccer skills, children, aged two to 16 years old, also are encouraged to attend school and taught resilience and to strive for healthier outcomes and wellbeing.

Today, more than 2,000 Indigenous children participate in the program each week in 18 remote and regional communities across the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.

The Program addresses 13 of the 17 Closing the Gap targets and is life-changing for more than 1,500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and boys.

The Moriaty Foundatioin was founded by Yanyuwana man John Moriarty, who was the first Indigenous footballer to be selected to represent Australia.

John Moriarty Football head coach at Dubbo West Public School. Josh Williams, said kickstarting the unique program every Wednesday had been key to boosting school attendance rates.

“We have been running the John Morarity Football Program at Dubbo West Public School for four years and have seen it create a space where families can build resilience and achieve sustainable change,” Mr Williams said.

“We’ve got some reluctant attendants who are always here on Moriarty day, and you watch them run out and be excited to attend.”

Transition to school

The NSW Department of Education is committed to creating better transitions between early education and primary school to give children the best start in learning. 

A successful transition to primary school has been shown to improve a child’s longer-term academic, social and wellbeing outcomes.   

It also lays a strong foundation for positive partnerships and relationships with families to support their ongoing engagement in a child’s learning.  

School readiness: what should my child be able to do? 

Source: NSW Department of Education 

• Recognise their belongings  

• Open and close lunchboxes including packets  

• Know how to ask for help when needed  

• Be able to separate from parent or carer   

• Interact socially with other children  

• Put on their uniform  

• Know hygiene routines