GOING INTO YEAR 7 This year government schools in South Australia will bring Year 7 into secondary schools to be in step with the rest of the country. This will enable students to have access to specialist facilities and teachers. Catholic schools moved to Year 7 in 2019. As a teacher in NSW where Year 7 is the beginning of secondary education, over many years I have seen the excitement of primaryaged students going into 'big school' but also the anxieties. Today's Year 7 kids are worldly due to digital exposure and quite sophisticated and I believe by the age of 12 they have outgrown primary school. SA uses the national curriculum where students in Year 7 to 10 are prepared for civic, social and economic participation and are allowed to make choices based on their interests. They are given a higher degree of independence.
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While a new curriculum offers opportunities for incoming students, there are reasons for anxiety and these are best addressed by parents before school starts. Year 7 kids go from being top of the student hierarchy in Year 6 to bottom of the hierarchy where they
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are the new kids on the block subject to a new social order. This can be intimidating. They can have trouble navigating a larger school, finding their lockers, getting to class on time, managing timetables and the expectations about homework and assignments. There are multiple teachers for different subjects, new friends to make and the potential for bullying. To offer more structure, guidance and safe spaces for younger students, many schools have introduced a Middle School in addition to a Senior School because working with 12 to 14 year olds can be very different from 16, 17 and 18 year olds. As parents it can be helpful to discuss the challenges your new senior may face and talk about coping strategies. One of the best ways to transition is to join teams, play games, know the names of teachers and plan the day ahead. Schools are understanding of new students and offer advice (mentors and older students) and leniency if students get lost, are late to class or slow to pick up new routines. To take the worries away, plan ahead, identify challenges and read up on school rules. Dr Linda Vining, FACE, is a former teacher, school council member, and a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators.
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