St Raphael's School

Student Wellbeing

 Transitioning to Secondary School

One blink and primary school will be just a happy memory and the transition to secondary school an exciting challenge.

Here are some handy hints for Year 6 parents and what they can do before the start of school 2021.

Tips to prepare during the school holidays

  • Be positive and enthusiastic. Your child is more likely to look forward to starting high school if you’re positive about it.
  • Organise school uniform. Your child should wear their new school shoes around the house to make sure they are comfortable
  • Get books and stationery. The school will give you a book list.
  • Learn about school routines. What time does school start and finish, what time is recess and lunchtime?
  • Learn about travel to school. Make a plan around the public transport timetable. Have a backup plan in case they miss public transport. If you plan to drive your child to school, do a trial drop off and pick up, and check for parking.
  • Talk to your child about their timetable. It will list subjects and classroom numbers. It’s good to make a few copies of the timetable to keep in different places.
  • Create a comfortable place for your child to study. This should be a quiet place away from distractions.
  • Remind your child that is normal to feel nervous about starting high school. These nerves may last past the first day. Encourage your child to talk about what they might be worried about.
  • Encourage your child to keep in touch with their primary school friends.
  • Have an emergency safety plan. Be clear about who your child should contact and what you expect them to do in an emergency.

Welcome Foundation 2021

As we will be saying a sad goodbye to our Year 6s, we will be saying a very happy hello to the Foundation class of 2021.

 

Please read some handy hints for preparing your child for school.

During the summer holidays

  • Show your child where the school is and talk about how you will get there.
  • Arrange play times with other families whose children will be going to the same school. It helps if your child knows another child at their school at the start of prep.
  • Practise the things your child will need to do to get ready for school (e.g. putting things in their bag, remembering to take a hat).
  • Confirm your before or after school care arrangements and explain these to your child.
  • Be positive about starting school and enjoy your child’s excitement.
  • Visit your local library and read books with your child about starting school.

The first day of school

  • Make sure your child knows who will take them to school and pick them up on the first day.
  • Help your child to organise their clothes, hat, shoes and socks the night before.
  • Help your child to pack their school bag with a snack, drink, lunch and a hat.
  • Place a spare pair of underpants and a change of clothes in a plastic bag. Let your child know these clothes are in their bag in case of any accidents at school.
  • Put sunscreen on your child in the morning if it's needed.
  • Show your child where you will meet them at the end of the school day.
  • At the end of the day talk to your child about what happened at school.

The first year of school

  • Find out about what your child is learning at school. By doing this, you can support your child’s learning and find out how your child is adjusting to school.
  • If your child is having difficulty at school, talk to their teacher. Your child can also say what they think might help them.
  • Keep talking to your child about school. Ask them about their new experiences, what they like and what they find hard.
  • If your child goes to care before or after school, find a way of sharing your child’s school progress with the staff.
  • Share feedback about your child’s experience of starting school with the school and early childhood service.
  • Organise time for your child and their new friends to play together outside of school.

Early childhood services and schools will organise programs to help your child settle into school. Talk to your child’s early childhood educator or the school.

Buddy system

At St Raphs, we have a buddy system for Prep children. They will partner your child with older students. This is to help your child have a welcoming experience from the very beginning.

The buddy system helps older children learn to take on responsibility. The younger children know that they have a fellow student they can go to for help.

Buddy systems help your child make friends and create a sense of belonging with the school community.