Transition Smoothly To High School

The transition from primary to high school can be daunting for children. What can we do to make sure they are prepared and the transition is as easy?

The end of the school year is exciting for most kids. Holidays to look forward to, long sleep-ins, and time with our friends and family. But not for everyone. All around Australia, there are Year 6 students who are feeling a bit excited but also a bit worried about the idea of high school next year.

This fear of a new school is pretty normal, especially starting high school. Popular culture doesn’t exactly paint high school as a friendly, inclusive environment. So how do we counter this perception and guide kids through this transition?

Talk about the new school positively

Sometimes, with all the best intentions we make high school frightening for our kids. We say things like, “You’ll need to work harder than that in high school” or “They won’t put up with that in high school”.

High school is a natural progression in education. There isn’t a sudden, unreasonable jump in expectations, academically or socially. In fact, to some degree, the beginning of Year 7 is a bit of a recap while teachers figure out where students are in their learning.

Tell stories about your high school days, emphasising the good things like friends and great teachers. Make it real for them. Don’t list the benefits, kids know when you are selling an idea to them. Focus instead on sharing the positive emotions and stories you have when you reminisce about high school. 

Make the school a familiar place

When starting at a new school, it helps if the school is somewhat familiar. If there are school tours available, take kids with you to have a look. You may want to attend drama productions or fairs or any school events that allow access to the community. Of course, Orientation Day is a must. 

Be organised

Get uniforms and books sorted out early. There is so much about going to a new school that kids can’t control. Help them control the elements they can. That said, maybe don’t pull the trigger on the new uniform if there is a growth spurt in progress. One of my friends bought her daughter the new school uniform in December and it didn’t fit on the first day. That caused a bit of stress!

Teach them to be organised

One of the most daunting aspects of high school is moving from classroom to classroom and using a locker, instead of having one room for the whole day. Kids fear getting lost and not having the right books for the right class. There is also the complication of those combination locks that just never seem to play nicely.

In the lead up to high school, start to increase chores and tasks that require more planning and organisation. They should be packing their own equipment for after-school sports and activities and scheduling their own homework and project tasks. Family whiteboards or calendars where everybody is responsible for writing in their own commitments and events are also a good idea. Organisation skills will mean the change in school structure will be less confronting.

Friends

Help kids recognise that they will find their tribe at high school. They need to be realistic and recognise that it takes a while to make good friends but they will have lots of new acquaintances straight away. Orientation programs and camps at the beginning of the school year ensure they will get to know the other kids. At Santa Maria College we use most of the first week for orientation. There is no point in getting straight into academics if kids don’t feel as though they belong or feel comfortable.

A couple of hints to pass on to kids if they need them:

  • It is easier to make friends with individuals than with a group, so often having a chat in class or on the bus is more productive than trying to sidle up cold to a group in the yard.
  • Being friendly and interested and making eye contact is important. There’s nothing worse than talking to someone who is scanning the room looking for someone more interesting or who has more status. Be present.
  • People are attracted to people who are genuine. Don’t try to be something you’re not.
  • It’s not all about you. Listen when others speak. Find out about what other people like talking about and doing.
  • Take a risk and make the first move. Say hello.

Parents can help by making your home a place where your child can invite their new or potential friends and feel comfortable.

School is not the be-all and end-all

When kids are going through a big change like a new school, if possible, keep everything else fairly routine. Sports teams, hobbies, and favourite activities should all carry on as usual. Even if you have moved towns, rely on your family rituals and routines. These are the things that make kids feel secure and connected. They help us too.

Make time for kids to connect with their old friends from their old school. It will be reassuring, but also, when kids have friends in different groups and environments it takes the pressure off all their school relationships. School can be intense and with digital connectivity, kids can be too connected to what happens at school. It’s nice for them to have friends away from school.

Finally…

When I talk to anxious Year 6 students, I wonder whether they are afraid of the unknown or afraid of losing the comfort of what they know and love. Either way, it’s uncomfortable. This discomfort is normal and kids don’t need to push it down or ignore it. Encourage them to talk about it and be with it. Name it up…fear, frustration, grief, loss, loneliness. They are normal human feelings and they don’t have to be chased away. Just acknowledge them and accept them as normal. Those feelings will pass. The good thing about change is that it also brings the possibility of growth and excitement and joy.

What A Term! So Many Opportunities – Jennifer Oaten

As I look back on the past nine weeks, I am so grateful for who we are as a community and what we have achieved. Through the dedication of our staff and the enthusiasm of our students, we have established new connections, immersed ourselves in opportunities and worked through challenges.

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