From the Principal's Desk

FILL THIS HEART

O Lord, Meet me today in the ordinary rhythms of my life. I invite you to come and breathe your life into mine. Come, may your love fill this heart and may it overflow into the lives of others. May your hope well up inside me and bring a new vision for my life. And may your truth light up my reactions and decisions. May this ordinary day become extraordinary because of you. Amen.

It’s that time of year again when we are working hard in the present and planning for the future. The Prep teachers are preparing to welcome our new Prep students for 2024 and the Year 6 students are preparing for their secondary school transition sessions. These events will take place over the coming weeks as will school planning for 2024.

At Resurrection School, one of the three Positive Behaviour for Learning Expectations is: Resilience. Students learn about, and are encouraged to show, resilience in all areas of the school. We encourage them to express their feelings and practice strategies to maintain a positive mindset. The staff support students in all aspects of change and transition and individual plans are created when required. Families can help children to make change and transition as smooth as possible.

5 things parents can do to make school transitions easier

Whether your child is leaving preschool for primary school, moving from primary school to secondary school or moving from class to class, starting out in a new situation can be an understandably tense time for a child.

Of course, transitions like these are central to a child’s development, and research shows that the way transitions in early childhood are handled can have an impact on a child’s ability to cope with change, both in the short and long-term.

With this in mind, it’s important to ensure that children know what to expect, feel well-prepared and are given plenty of support throughout the process.

Although some children will inevitably be more vocal about their concerns than others, you can be sure that all of them feel some level of anxiety about change.

1. Speak positively about the change

Children tend to pick up on their parents’ attitude towards a situation, so if your child senses that you’re feeling anxious about the change, they may begin to mirror those emotions. So even if you don’t think your child is listening, you should always try to discuss the changes in a positive way.

When you talk about the school transition try to speak enthusiastically and focus on the positives, such as the interesting things they will learn, the new friends they will make and the new routines they’ll establish.

2. Acknowledge and discuss your child’s concerns

If your child has questions or concerns, rather than casually brushing them off with a “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine,” it’s important to acknowledge their concerns. Once you know what your child is feeling most anxious about, you can spend some time going over the details, whether that means discussing how they’ll get to and from school or explaining what their new schedule will be like.

3. Involve your child as much as possible

Actively involving your child in the preparations for starting or changing schools will help them feel as though they have some say in the matter, and it can also help build anticipation.

Other ways to involve them in the transition process include shopping for new school supplies or clothes together, planning out their new route to school and having them make a list of the things they are looking forward to - as well as any questions or concerns they may have.

4. Pay a visit to the new school beforehand

We tend to fear what we don't know, which is why visiting the new school in advance is a great way to help your child feel calmer about the transition.

Visiting the school in advance is one way to pave the way for this, as your child will have a chance to get to know the school's layout, see what extracurricular activities they might like to participate in and meet some of their teachers.

5. Help your child stay in touch with old friends

Losing friendships is a valid concern for children who are moving from one school to another. Research shows that preschool friendships are important for the development of social and emotional skills, and that they can increase feelings of belonging while decreasing stress.

So if your child has a close friend or group of friends, think of some ways to help them keep in touch after they move on. For example, you could organise play dates or even look for after-school activities, such as sports or dance, which they could join together.

You can also discuss the fact that they will make new friends, but that this doesn't mean they will have to choose between their old friends and their new friends.

Change is an inevitable part of life. We will partner with you to ensure that your child’s experiences are as positive as possible. Please let us know if your child needs additional support during times of transition or change.

All the best,

Jane Dunstone

PRINCIPAL