Transition

Our Year 6 students are experiencing one of the most exciting times of their lives – the transition from being a primary school student to being a high school student. Likewise, many of our families have children in preschool who are transitioning to Kindergarten. And, if you’re like me, you might have a child in Year 12 who is now navigating their way from College to the world of adulthood.

Catholic School Parents Australia has developed an excellent resource for parents and carers. This toolkit, 'Gearing Up for Parent Engagement in Student Learning', is designed to assist families make the transition into Primary and Secondary school a great experience for children and young people. The toolkit includes modules on transitions for both Primary and Secondary students.

Some of the advice that I thought was particularly helpful, no matter what type of transition your child is undertaking:

• Give your child a couple of weeks to settle in. What seems like a monumental issue in the first couple of days can disappear after a couple of weeks once your child becomes more comfortable in their new environment.
• Talk about what to do if they miss a bus or a connection (or don’t have money for an Uber!). It is also a good opportunity to talk about public transport etiquette. For example: Offer your seat to an adult, particularly an elderly person, a pregnant woman, or a mum/dad with small children. It is also important if they are using headphones to ensure they are not too loud. And remind them to be observant to ensure they don’t miss their stop!
• 
  The most powerful message you can give your child about their new experience is your own example. How you self-talk, how you respond to ‘bumps in the road’, and how you show anxiety or worry about your child will impact their approach and reactions to school. By staying calm and supportive, you will help your child in the best possible way to adjust to their new routines and surroundings.

Petra Cole

Assistant Principal

Petra.Cole@cg.catholic.edu.au