Year 7 Transition

Middle Years Transition Update

Our Middle Years Transition program is well underway, with a range of activities helping incoming Year 7 students and their families prepare for a positive start to high school.

I have continued to connect with families, through phone calls and face to face meetings. 

Transition lessons are currently taking place across all Gateway Learning Community primary schools, including tailored activities for students in inclusive education settings.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s transition to high school, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to arrange a meeting.

PAT testing has now commenced. PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests) provide information about each student's current skills and learning strengths. The information gathered from this standardised testing is one piece of the puzzle that, alongside information from primary schools and other transition processes, helps us make informed decisions about class placement and ensure students are supported in the most appropriate learning environment.

Transition visits to Francis Greenway High School will commence in Week 6, with continued work underway to ensure clear communication with primary schools and families about these opportunities.

Taster Thursdays have been embraced and we're looking forward to welcoming approximately 80 students over the various visits. 

Smooth Start Visits will provide additional support for students identified as potentially benefiting from extra assistance throughout the transition process, while our HUB Day will see current Year 7 students supporting our incoming students from small schools and out of area schools.

Applications for the HPGE class have now closed. However, if you missed the deadline and are still interested, please get in touch. We will now begin assessing nominations.

I have also enjoyed sharing our transition work more broadly, recently presenting the Middle Years Transition role to the Rutherford Technology High School and Dungog High School learning communities and sharing resources with their newly appointed Middle Years Transition teachers. 

We look forward to continuing to connect with incoming students and their families throughout the transition process and supporting every student to feel confident, connected and ready for high school.

Ana Welsh

Head Teacher Transition - Middle Years