It's all about each individual child being ready isn't it? Of course not always easy to gauge. Mind you, if he really doesn't seem ok after the first days/weeks...I can pull him out and wait till the following January. The law is children aged btwn 6 and 16 must attend school. He is 6 on 13th Jan 2010. I've been broaching the subject of school with him and he is much more receptive than he was 3 months ago. Maybe he really will be ready in 8 months time!

This is what I copied from the Department of Education website:

Quick facts about school in Victoria
*Most children attend primary school from Prep to Year 6 and secondary school from Year 7 to 12.

Starting school
*Victorian children usually start their education by attending kindergarten prior to starting school; this is not compulsory
*Children start primary school in Prep. Children must be five years of age or older by 30 April of the year they start school
*Children between the age of six and 16 years must attend school

Secondary school
*In Year 6, parents decide which secondary school they will send their child to the following year
*In Year 10, students and their parents decide which studies or career paths they will take for the future
*After completing Year 12, students have the option of studying at university or TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institute, doing a traineeship or an apprenticeship, or being employed in the workforce

__________________