The Wellbeing Page 

Transitions

Change is often challenging for us as humans, but it can also be exciting and refreshing. With the end of the year around the corner, many students will already be thinking of the upcoming changes that occur with the end of another school year. Most will be moving to a different class with different peers and teachers, and some (including all of our Grade 6 students) will move to an entirely new school. 

Change pushes us out of our comfort zone, which is not necessarily a bad thing. With these changes, our students will make new friends, have new learning experiences and grow with fresh knowledge of the world. But not knowing what the future looks like can be a nerve-wracking concept, and it's important to support our students as they navigate the emotions which accompany change. For lots of our students, change can bring feelings of anxiety and sadness. 

So how do we ensure that our students have a smooth transition to their next grade level, or even their new school? 

• Prepare
• Connect with new staff and students
• Build familiarity with the learning spaces and school environments
• Handover information to new teachers 
• Reach out and check-in

At SMPS we prepare for transition to a new school year by:

• Asking for feedback from parents re grade placement
• Reviewing class lists several times to ensure students are well-suited to their new grade
• Asking children for 5 peer preferences that they would like to be placed in their class with
• Hosting a handover meeting with staff to share our knowledge of how to support your children
• Hosting 'Step Up Day' towards the end of term where students can meet their teacher and classmates in their 2024 class space 
• Providing social stories for children who may need additional support with change

Here are some great resources to help your child with school transitions:

Prep - Transition to school:

Transitioning a child to school I Starting Blocks

 Family transitions as children start schools | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au)

Supporting your child’s transition to school | Early Childhood Management Services (ecms.org.au)

Grade 6-7 - Transition to Secondary School:

Starting secondary school or high school | Raising Children Network

Transition to secondary school - Parents Victoria

Headspace: Transition from primary to secondary school - supporting your young person (headspace.org.au)

Support for Students with Special Needs:

School support for children with special needs - Better Health Channel