HELP!!! - totally new to Sydney.. kids need to go to school!

Your 6 year old will not be expected to read or write prior to attending school. I have heard many teachers in Australia say they would prefer the starting age for school to be a little higher. In any case, at that age there are a wide variety of abilities. I think the main thing is your childs ability to socialise in an appropriate manner and to begin to become an independent person of confidence.

Your 16 year old will be with his/her age group. Most secondary colleges (high schools) run a "middle school" program encompassing the age groups 13, 14, 15 and 16 where kids with equal abilities attend the same classes. For example if your child is good at maths they will be in a maths class with athers of approximately the same abilities. At the same time your child may not be doing as well in english so they will be grouped with other kids who are similarly challenged.
My son is 17 and comleteing the 2nd last year of HS.
There is an Aust teacher on this board and they may have further information.

i'm not able to assist with childcare/preschool information sorry.

I do hope you enjoy wide brown land Oh and by the way the "boks" suck eggs and your cricket team is not much better!!!.

I though SA was South Australia? You mean she's Sefrican?! Bah!@ Humbug!

Kids in Sydney start school at 5.

What you can expect? I have no idea. It's a year or 2 since I left school, and I'm a kid-free zone. If you knew roughly where you were planning to live, I may (note - MAY) be able to make more sensible suggestions.

16 will probably put your kid in Year 10 (schools go up to year12).

Were you looking at public (state) or private schools (sometimes called Public, as in GPS - but only the very swanky!)

Some high schools specialise in particular area, e.g., theatrics, sport, computers, etc. Some state schools have selective examinations.

Much depends on where you end up.

Welcome to Sydney anyway! (are you a cricket fan?)