Wellbeing & Inclusion 

at Willy

Getting Ready for 2026: Supporting Your Child Through Their Year Level Transition

Change Can Be Big and That's Okay

As we near the end of another school year, your child is getting ready for something really important and exciting: moving up to their next year level! While summer holidays and celebrations are just around the corner, we know this time of change can bring mixed feelings. It's completely normal for children to feel a little nervous or unsure about leaving behind familiar friends and teachers.

Moving to a new year level is a big deal in your child's learning journey. There's so much wrapped up in it: new friendships, different teaching styles, trickier work, and lots of growing up. For children and families, this time can feel both exciting and a bit overwhelming. The good news? With the right support and understanding, we can help your child feel confident and ready to shine in their new classroom.

How We're Supporting Your Child at WPS

At Williamstown Primary School, we've designed our transition program with your child in mind. We take it step by step, giving kids lots of chances to get comfortable with what's ahead. Here's what we do:

Getting to Know What's Next

• Casual meet-and-greets between year levels (nothing too formal or scary!)
• Fun errands that let kids explore different parts of the school
• More chances to work with classmates in their year level
• Q&A sessions with students from the year above (because who better to ask than kids who've just been through it?)
• Our special Step Up Day experience later in the term

Extra Help When It's Needed

If your child is feeling particularly worried about the change, our teachers work closely with our Wellbeing Team to create extra transition opportunities just for them. Every child is different, and we're here to support yours in whatever way they need.

How You Can Help at Home

Keep the Conversation Going

Talk openly with your child about how they're feeling. Really listen without jumping in to fix everything or tell them not to worry. Let them know it's okay to feel excited and nervous at the same time. That's just part of being human!

Stick to Your Routines

When everything else feels a bit wobbly, routines are like a safety net. Keep bedtimes, mealtimes, and your family traditions as consistent as possible. And here's a helpful tip: in that first week of the new school year, try to arrive on time each day. Walking into a classroom that's already settled can feel extra stressful when everything's already new and unfamiliar.

Celebrate the Small Wins

Notice the effort your child is putting in, not just the big achievements. A specific "I loved how you introduced yourself to that new friend today" means so much more than a general "good job!" These moments help build your child's confidence and show them they've got what it takes.

Think Growth, Not Perfection

We love the saying, "No one is a stranger here, just a friend we haven't met yet." This kind of thinking makes such a difference when facing new situations.

Share your own stories! Tell your child about times you felt unsure and what you did to get through it. When we name those "big feelings" and talk about them openly, we're teaching our kids that challenges aren't roadblocks; they're chances to grow.

Why This Matters

The research is clear; when transitions go well, children and young people do better academically and feel better emotionally. Your support at home makes a huge difference. When you're involved, positive, and encouraging during these changes, you're giving your child protective tools they'll carry with them through life.

Having Great Conversations About the Transition

Start with Understanding

Let your child know you get it; transitions can be hard! Whatever they're feeling is valid and important, and you're there to listen.

Focus on the Exciting Parts

Talk about the good stuff that's coming such as new friends to meet, interesting things to learn, different teachers to get to know, and new skills to master. Help them imagine all the possibilities waiting for them.

Be Honest (But Hopeful)

When your child asks questions or shares worries, give them real, age-appropriate answers. Don't brush off their concerns or promise that everything will be perfect. Instead, be truthful in a way that respects their intelligence while staying optimistic about what's ahead.

Let Them Express Themselves Their Way

Some children need to talk, others need to draw, write, or play. Let your child process this transition in whatever way feels right for them. There's no one "right" way to work through change.

Moving Forward Together

Your child is lucky to be part of a school community that really thinks about these transitions. We focus on the positives such as new friends, fresh approaches to learning, and continued growth (both academic and emotional).

As parents and caregivers, you're absolutely essential to helping your child through this passage. By keeping communication open, encouraging age-appropriate independence, building resilience, and offering steady reassurance, you're giving your child exactly what they need to face transitions with confidence.

Together, we can help our students see both the challenges and opportunities in change, setting them up to thrive as they step into the new school year feeling ready, prepared, and genuinely excited about what's to come. At Williamstown Primary School, we're committed to making sure every child has a smooth transition that honors who they are as individuals while celebrating just how far they've come and how much potential they have.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or our Wellbeing Team. We're all in this together.

Kind regards,

Lisa Leydin                                                                 Anna Swan

Assistant Principal                                                   Learning Specialist

Disability, Inclusion & Wellbeing                        Disability and Inclusion & Mental Health and                                                                                       Wellbeing (Mon-Thur)