Transition to high school program gears up for 2009

17 November 2008

NSW Premier Nathan Rees today announced that a program to help primary school students make the move to high school will be expanded in 2009.

While visiting Blaxland High School where the program has been a success, Mr Rees said that the transition from primary school to high school is a critical time in the lives of young adolescent learners.

“Many students who lose interest in school at this very important time are at much greater risk of dropping out of school with no qualifications a few years later,” Mr Rees said.

“The Transition to High School program will move from 30 public secondary schools and central schools in 2008 to 246 in 2009.

“It is vital we engage Year 6 and 7 students in their learning so they end up completing the Higher School Certificate or, if they do decide to leave school, move into vocational training, including apprenticeships.

“Moving from primary school to high school can be a stressful experience - with 55,000 Year 6 students in NSW public schools making the move each year, this program will certainly help smooth this process.

“The four year, $11.5 million Transition to Year 7 program will include all 463 public secondary and central schools by 2010.”

The Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, said this initiative allows high schools to work with their local primary schools to develop and implement a highly effective, targeted transition program for Year 6 students heading off to Year 7.

Transition to Year 7 enables schools to fund initiatives such as:

• Introducing high school orientation and induction programs into every NSW primary and secondary school.
• Introducing taster classes for Year 6 students in specialist secondary school science laboratories and design and technology classrooms.
• Making sure that information on a student's academic and social strengths and areas for development moves with them from primary to secondary school so that teachers can program and prepare more effectively.
• Creating a welcoming atmosphere for young students through pastoral care programs and, where practicable, the use of home rooms
• Supporting transition coordinators in schools to manage pastoral care, induction, orientation and data exchange.

“Through the implementation of various transition activities, students find it easier to settle in and adjust to the demands of their new high school,” Ms Firth said.

“One particular focus of the initiative is the provision of taster classes for Year 6 students in specialist secondary school science laboratories and design and technology classrooms.

“Having the opportunity to become familiar with the environment, teachers and students of their new high school gives students a real advantage when they start Year 7.

“The relationships and sharing of student information between primary and high schools will also be strengthened through this initiative, meaning teachers can program and prepare more effectively for the incoming students.

“It is reassuring for students and their parents to know that the high school is aware of, and is responding to, their academic and personal needs.”

Ms Firth said the emphasis on transition from primary to high school is part of the overall Middle Years Strategy Our Middle Years Learners – Engaged, Resilient, Successful.

“The Middle Years Strategy for students from Year 5 through to Year 9 places great emphasis on the development of innovative and expanded opportunities for students to learn and grow,” she added.

“It seeks to engage and support students in ways that inspire them to be successful and to achieve their best possible learning outcomes.”