How parents can help children prepare for the transition to secondary school
The move up from primary school is a big one, so get children used to assuming more responsibility, lend a hand to get them organised, and don’t hesitate to talk to teachers if they struggle initially
My daughter has just finished Year Six in Hong Kong and is stressed about moving up to high school. She is very shy and not at all confident. Her best friend is going to a different school and she’s very upset about this. How can I help her feel better and prepare for high school?
These days parents can feel confident that the links between primary and secondary schools are stronger than they used to be. Year Six pupils often visit their new school several times throughout the year. I recently told my daughter that I hadn’t even stepped over the threshold of my secondary school until the first day of the new term, and I had no idea what to expect – yet I survived.
She, however, had two transition days to meet her new teachers, experience the structure of the lessons and find her way around. She also had a talk from current Year Seven students about their own experiences of moving up and how they dealt with any difficulties they encountered.
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There is now more ongoing liaison between primary and secondary schools, giving teachers the chance to share detailed information about students, who can then receive extra support if necessary, whether it be socially, emotionally or academically.
Nevertheless, the transition from primary to secondary school is still a big change for students. They go from being a big fish in a small pond to the opposite, lose the security of having one main teacher, and have to find their way around a much larger school to attend different lessons.
To take her mind off these upcoming changes, encourage your daughter to do some fun things in the summer holiday – it’s a precious time to follow her own interests and play with friends.
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Although the situation with her best friend is unfortunate and will initially take your daughter out of her comfort zone, secondary school is a great opportunity for her to meet lots of new friends from different schools, while remaining friends with primary school peers if she chooses. It may actually work to her advantage in the long run, as she will have to socialise with others rather than stick with what she knows.