St Martin's Primary School

Transition

Primary to Post-Primary

“Top Tips” for starting secondary school

What is new about secondary school...?

• You may have a longer journey to school.
• You have a uniform which you must wear each day.
• You also have a PE kit to wear for games.
• The school campus is much bigger and there will be more people around.
• You will have different teachers and classrooms for different subjects.
• You will follow a timetable of lessons each day of the week.
• Some subjects will be new to you.
• You will have more books, equipment and materials to look after.
• You will need to use a homework diary.
• Break and lunch arrangements will be different.
• There will be new rules and routines to learn.
• New teams and activities will be available to join.
• You will be expected to be more independent, organised and responsible for yourself.
• You will have new challenges and new opportunities.

Are you worried about...?

• Not making friends.
• Getting lost.
• Travelling to and from school.
• Older pupils annoying you.
• Having new teachers.
• Following a timetable each day.
• Not being able to do the work.
• Not having the right books and equipment.
• Finding help if there’s a problem.
• Getting into trouble.

You can help yourself (and others)

• Leave home on time each morning to arrive in school on time.
• Check each morning, or even the night before, that you have everything you need for the day at school (eg books, equipment, materials, homework, notes, money).
• Read your timetable and homework diary to help you know what you need and what you will be learning each day.
• Take care of your bag and other belongings in school throughout each day (use cloakrooms and lockers properly).
• Make sure uniform is complete and neat (and bring PE kit on the days it is needed).
• Speak with your Year Head at the start of each day if you need help or have any concerns.
• Move quickly and orderly between lessons :arrive on time and enter the room ready to settle and learn.
• Ask your subject teachers to explain any parts of the lessons you do not understand :listen and participate well in all your classes.
• Write homeworks carefully in your homework diary and check the diary each night to make sure you have work completed and brought back to school at the right time.
• Always follow instructions and rules which are necessary for good order and safety in a large school :good behaviour is essential.
• Get involved in teams and clubs to help you enjoy all that school offers and make more new friends.
• Treat all others as you would wish to be treated…with respect.

Parents can help too… 

• Speak regularly with your child about school life and work.
• Assure them that they are not alone in feeling anxious and that problems can be overcome when we all work together.
• Encourage your child to become more responsible and independent in being prepared for all school lessons and activities :this includes being organised at home as well as in school :support is important. but self-management skills need to be encouraged
• Support your child in a number of simple but important practical ways eg.
  • Getting up and ready for school each morning.
  • Encouraging good time keeping and regular attendance.
  • Keeping school informed about genuine reasons for absence.
  • Checking uniform and PE kit are neat and tidy each day.
  • Naming all items of clothing and other equipment.
  • Establishing and keeping routines at home which help prepare for each day in school (eg homework times, checking timetables, packing bags, keeping books and materials organised).
  • Having “space” at home for school materials and study.
  • Making sure books, materials and equipment are well looked after.
  • Taking an interest in learning by talking about lessons or viewing books.
  • Keeping school informed issues which affect your child, as well as co-operating with school.
  • Praising achievement and encouraging/expecting high, but realistic standards (not accepting careless or lazy approaches or excuses) .