New resources are helping students to stay engaged as they transition from primary to secondary school.
Education Minister Ben Carroll in August updated the materials that Victorian schools use to support about 200,000 students every year.
“A student’s transition can have fundamental and long-lasting impacts on their achievement, engagement and wellbeing,” he said.
“We want to make sure every student and their family feels supported and connected as they journey from primary school to secondary school, which can often be a daunting time.”
It’s also a time with a heightened risk of disengagement from education, poor wellbeing, and a decline in learning outcomes.
Mr Carroll said keeping kids engaged in school helped them to be productive and successful young adults.
A student’s transition experience is successful when they have good engagement with their peers and their families.
This is especially important for students who might be at higher risk of a poor transition, including neurodiverse and autistic students, students with disabilities, and students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The updated materials feature internal guidance, resources, and practical examples for schools to use through a four-year staged process from upper primary to lower secondary:
Preparation (Years 5 and 6)
This introduces students to general skills like organisation and time management that will help them navigate in a new environment, like using lockers and having a timetable.
Transfer (End of Year 6)
Students can attend their new school for a day to learn the new layout, attend classes, and meet key staff and future classmates.
Induction (Year 7)
This phase supports new students to develop a strong sense of connection and belonging in their new environment and ease into the new practices, rhythms, and relationships.
Consolidation (Year 8)
This builds on the skills, knowledge, and experiences students have gained in previous phases, with a strong emphasis on supporting their wellbeing and confidence in their learning environment.
