Deputy Principal's Report

Transitions

At St Finbar’s, we understand that moving into a new year level can be both exciting and challenging for our pupils. Whether it’s our youngest Preps stepping into school for the first time, our Year 6s preparing for secondary school, or children moving between year levels, we’re committed to making these transitions as smooth and supportive as possible. Here’s how we’re helping each group navigate these important changes.

Welcoming Our New Preps

Starting school is a significant milestone, and we work closely with families to make this a positive and welcoming experience. Our transition program for Preps includes:

School Visits: Prospective Preps participate in school visits, where they meet their new classmates, explore the classroom, and become familiar with the routines they’ll follow in the new year.
Kinder Visits: We have a lot of communication with our local kinders where we send some students off to visit as well as inviting them to come and visist our school. We also send out Prep teachers off to chat with the kinder teachers to discuss how we can best support s successful transition to school.
Buddy System: Each Prep is paired with an older buddy, Year 5 student, who offers friendship, guidance, and a friendly face in the playground. This buddy connection eases social worries and helps build confidence.
Parent Information Sessions: To keep parents informed and involved, we hold sessions about what to expect in Prep, routines, and how they can support learning and social skills at home.
Welcome packs: Including a starting school social story, parnent information and activities to help set up for success in big school.

Supporting Year 6 Students Heading to Secondary School

The transition from primary to secondary school is an exciting time, but it can come with new challenges. To help our Year 6 students feel prepared, we offer:

Secondary School Orientation Days: We coordinate with local secondary schools to ensure pupils attend orientation days where they can meet teachers, tour the school, and start to feel comfortable in their new setting.
Transition Workshops: Workshops focusing on study skills, organisation, resilience, and social skills are offered throughout the year, equipping our Year 6 pupils with the practical tools they’ll need for success.
Leadership Opportunities: Year 6 students take on leadership roles within our school, helping them build confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community – skills that will serve them well in secondary school.
Transition meetings: Program support meetings involving students, parents and the highschool are also offered to support a smooth transition if requested.

Moving from One Year Group to the Next

For all students moving up a year level, we provide continuity and support to help them settle into their new classroom smoothly:

Up Day: Before the end of the school year, each student has the opportunity to meet their teacher for the following year, setting a positive tone and helping them start to build a relationship.
Classroom Transition Activities: During the final weeks of the year, students participate in activities that gently introduce them to next year’s curriculum, routines, and classroom setup.
Individualised Support for Additional Needs: For students who may find transitions particularly challenging, we work with Learning Support Officers (LSOs) to create tailored transition plans, including additional visits and social stories, regular visits to the teacher and classroom and familiarisation of where bags go, seating etc to ease any anxiety and ensure a successful start.

Sue Larkey, a well known presenter of quick and easy strategies in supporting our students, presents many practical tools to help support transitions. Below are some of her quick guide tips with supporting a range of transition scenarios.

Transition periods are a natural part of each school year, and at St Finbar’s, we’re committed to guiding our pupils every step of the way. With your continued support, we look forward to helping your child embrace new opportunities and develop confidence for the journey ahead. Please reach out if you feel that your child may require some additional support in this space.

Year 6 2025 Leavers Jumpers

The results are in, and by a big margin, the following style has been chosen for the Year 6 2025 Leavers jumper. All students and families voted on the design with the results posted below

Thanks for all your support,

Peggy McDonald & Steele Anderson

Deputy Principals