We have reached the half way point of the final term of 2023 and plans have been put in place to support our students, staff and families with the transitions that are now going to occur. As a community we must consider that these are important and significant steps in the lives of our young people and support may be needed throughout these changes.
SchoolTV provides an outstanding resource for our community about School Transitions. Throughout this resource it details a range of emotions and behaviours that may be evident in our young people. Common feelings may range throughout all of the zones of regulation. Excitement, sadness, worry, anger, anticipation, fear are emotions that could be exhibited in a variety of ways. SchoolTV lists the following behaviours as things to look out for in children transitioning to primary school – clinging behaviour, restlessness, withdrawal, anxiousness, refusal to comply, avoidance, planning and organisation difficulties, crying and tantrums, regression to younger behaviours and volatility. In transitioning to secondary school there may be withdrawal or low confidence or self esteem, regression to younger behaviours, short temper or behavioural concerns or isolation. This may result in changes to eating habits, sleeping patterns or even feeling unwell.
As a school we want to scaffold the opportunities for the students to develop relationships and have a clear understanding of expectations when moving through their transitions. Our Year 6 students have already begun this process through buddy classes with current Year 7 class groups, attending Senior School Muster and hearing from key people in the Middle School. This week we had our first Reception and Prep transition with boys visiting from the ELC, from Prep and also from other schools. The energy and excitement in the classrooms during these sessions was lovely to witness.
Please spend some time exploring these outstanding resources and if you have any questions or would like to know more about the transitions occurring across our school, please feel free to be in touch.
Mr Ben Storer
Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing and Administration
