Transition

Helping Your Year 7 Child To Enjoy A Smooth Start To High School

The Department of Education’s webpage provides information about how families can help their children make a smooth and successful transition to high school. Here are excerpts:

Moving from primary to secondary school is a significant event in every child’s education journey.

As a parent you have helped your child adjust to many new and sometimes challenging situations. A new school, with new teachers and new ways of learning requires some adjustment so be prepared to support them as they settle into this new environment.

Our school staff have transition plans and programs to support children in their move from primary to secondary school.

Parents also play an important role at home. By preparing for and talking about the move, you can make a big difference to how well your child makes the transition. If you are well informed and knowledgeable about the move, you are better able to support your child.

Preparing For School

Here are some things you can do to help your children get the best start to secondary school:

• Practise the morning routine the week before school starts. This is especially important if your children are taking public transport or walking to school.
• Buy uniforms, school materials and equipment early.
• Make sure your children eat nutritious meals and are well rested.
• Buy your children a diary or study planner (if they do not get one from the school) so they can organise their time.
• Talk with your children about what they expect school will be like. Talk about the extra programs and activities they can be a part of. Remind them it is okay to feel nervous about starting something new.
• Talk about the subjects they will learn and how it is a time to see what they like before deciding on what to focus on in later year.

Arriving At School

It is important to ensure your children arrive at school on time so they have time to settle in, and are relaxed and happy before class starts. If they arrive after the school day has started, they need to sign in at the front office – this is a legal requirement.  Please send your child with a note explaining their late arrival.

Similarly, if you need to collect your child before the end of the school day, please send them with a note for their classroom teacher, they will then proceed to Student Services to wait for collection and sign out.

Attending Every Day Is Important

Western Australian law stipulates that all school-aged children must go to and attend school every day.

Developing the habit of going to school every day is vitally important so children and young people do not miss out on important ideas and skills they need for future learning. Did you know:

• Missing half a day of school each week equates to one month of missed learning per year.
• The attendance habits set by children when they first start school continue throughout their school life.
• If a child misses half a day of school each week between Pre-primary and Year 10, they would miss almost one full year of learning.
• learning is cumulative – if your children miss a day, it is harder for them to catch up.

You can help by making sure your children arrive at school on time; making sure they eat nutritious meals get enough sleep; making appointments with doctors, dentists and specialists, and making holiday plans during school holidays and not during the school term.

If one of your children is unwell and unable to go to school, let the school know straight away by sending an SMS to 0439 528 080 or an email to the Attendance Officer. Please remember to include:

• Child's full name
• Year level
• Reason for absence
• Date(s) of absence

If they miss a day, it is important you talk with their teacher to find out how you can help them catch up.

Visit the Department of Education website for more information on Student Health and Wellbeing.