Helping Your Year 7 Child Transition to High School

Moving from Primary to Secondary school is a major change for children and a significant event in every child’s education journey. Over time, your child will become familiar with their new environment, staff and other students. In high school your child will need to be able to follow a map, read a timetable, wear a new uniform, work with many different teachers, travel to and from school and make new friends.

These changes, while exciting, may require a level of adjustment for you, your child and your family, as your child settles into new environments, new ways of learning and new routines.  Preparation is the key to a successful transition to high school and parents play an important role in this.  The Department of Education - WA webpage provides information about the many ways to make these changes as smooth as possible for you and your child:

• Practice the morning routine the week before school starts, including transport to and from school.
• Ensure they have a school bag, correct uniforms and school equipment ready to go.
• Talk about the new school routines, rules and expectations with your child.
• Talk to your child about peer pressure and behaviours that could put them at risk and what to do if they encounter these behaviours, including appropriate social media use.
• Teach them planning, organisation and time management skills by getting them to keep a diary – this develops self-motivation and independent learning.
• Know your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Involve them in decisions about their education.
• Encourage your child to eat well, get plenty of sleep and balance study with sport and enjoyable family and social activities.
• Ensure your child arrives at school on time so they have time to settle in, and are relaxed and happy before class starts.
• Remind them it is okay to feel nervous about starting something new.
• Be enthusiastic and excited! Your attitude influences how your child will feel and cope.