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Tips from Teachers | Junior Cycle

Managing the Change from 6th Class to 1st Year | Parent Centre

By Stephen Begley - 8 minute read

Starting secondary school is a dynamic time for young people and their parents and guardians. Going from the comfort of being the 'big fish in a small pond' in primary school to becoming the 'small fish in a big pond' is an experience that is both exciting and daunting for all involved.

The transition from 6th class to 1st year sees our young people go from the comfort of their normal and familiar routine of the past 8 years to one that is newer, busier and different on many levels (yet so very exciting). Navigating the new everyday secondary school routines is busy at the beginning with adapting to 6-9 classes per day with several different teachers, moving classrooms, using a book locker, sharing a school space with students older than them, developing new friendships, undertaking new classes and subjects, a heavier school bag, a busier set of homework, a new morning commute, remembering names, getting their bearings of the new school, the list goes on.

Needless to say, the dust soon settles after a short number of weeks and students always get into the swing of things; some will adapt immediately, others might need a little more time, and some will require some further support but be assured that teachers are always willing to offer a helping hand to students and their families in settling into secondary school life. While schools are busy places and teachers focus on teaching their curricular subjects, promoting our students' care, wellbeing and safety is central to our work as teachers. While there is no one-fits-all recipe for transitioning from primary to secondary school, there are a number of practices and tips that can help parents, guardians and students alike on their journey to starting secondary school. Emotions and feelings will be varied for all involved and may rapidly change in the days leading up to starting secondary school and also throughout the first number of days and weeks settling in. It is important to remember that young people are so much more resilient and adaptable to change than adults and so managing emotions and opening the channels of communication are positive steps in the process.

It is important to remember that young people are so much more resilient and adaptable to change than adults and so managing emotions and opening the channels of communication are positive steps in the process.

How to prepare for the transition

As a teacher, I experience much different things than both an incoming first-year student and their families. When I return to school, I’m busy preparing my classroom, attending staff meetings and getting my lessons ready. Each year when I see new 1st year students and their families entering the school, the students’ faces show an abundance of nerves and excitement while their parents and guardians also present with similar feelings in the hope that their young person will settle in, adapt to their new surroundings, make friends, find their way and ultimately enjoy school. Below I share with you some suggestions and tips on making the transition smoother for your child and helping them on their journey to starting secondary school.

  • Get organised

    Pack the bag and have the uniform ready to go the day before the 1st day. Having the school bag packed, pencil case ready, uniform ironed and ready to go the days or the evening before starting school allows for a leading foot on the first day. This day is busy and stressful enough so alleviating this allows for a more composed and relaxed morning.

  • Label everything

    And I mean everything! Books, copies, folders, pencil cases, uniform items (even the tie), calculators, PE gear, you name it. During the first number of weeks, students constantly forget items in classrooms, lose jumpers, etc. and so having everything labelled will usually see it returned to its owner swiftly.

  • Chat and discuss

    Debrief the first few days with your child when they get home each day. They will often tell you all the fun, new and exciting things they have seen and people they have met. Naturally, there can be some things that cause anxiety or stress so asking your child about these in a friendly discussion will help them digest their experience and generate a solution or provide reassurance to them. If they have a new commute, check in with them on how they’re finding this. Chat about the new canteen or lunch, how they’re managing their locker, or how they find the busyness of the new school day.

  • Homework

    Help your child foster a good homework routine from the offset as this will stand to your son or daughter across their 5-6 years in secondary school. Have a set space where students can complete their homework daily (be it the kitchen table, a desk in their room, etc) which will also double as their study space when exams come up. Setting a fixed time daily for completing homework without distractions (recommended to be shortly after they return home from school), creates a healthy routine that once maintained and started early becomes second nature for their whole schooling life. That way, the evening is automatically free for their own downtime. Check their homework for the first couple of weeks and don't be afraid to do an odd 'check in' on the homework.

  • Phones and social media

    Phones and social media typically begin to appear on the scene throughout 1st year. Many students will have phones, some may just get one and others won't. In a similar sense, some may have certain social media accounts while others won't. The realm of social media has its own pros and cons, though it can be a serious and dangerous landscape for young people. With the addictive nature of scrolling endlessly on Instagram and TikTok, the presented 'illusion' of life that social media shares and the pitfalls of influencers, young people must learn how to navigate these paths and parents and guardians are the key game players here. Set boundaries with social media, discuss what is right and wrong to do with it, talk about what you as a parent/guardian find acceptable and what you don’t, and talk to them about the severity and dangers of online bullying. A good rule of thumb for young people, especially those entering 1st year, is to get a Parental Control App for their phone in which you can limit their screen time and accessibility and lock their device. Naturally, any young person will kick up a fuss about this but from my experience, it is a regular practice here in Ireland (article from The Journal).

  • Get in contact

    Connect with the school and reach out if you need something. If you are unsure, worried, need information or wish to talk to a staff member, get in contact with the school through the appropriate channels. Most schools have a point of contact (usually through the main office) to get in contact with teachers, year heads, deputies and so on. A problem shared is a problem halved so working together with the school and bringing it to their attention is a proactive move on a parent or guardian front.

  • Embrace the journey

    We must always remember that while education is a right in Ireland, it is also an absolute privilege. Schools are positive spaces that not only want the best for each and every student but also nourish and develop students across academic, social and personal domains. When all stakeholders work together (students, parents/guardians, teachers and school management) the best can be achieved for your son/daughter. So while there might be the odd bump in the road here and there, enjoy and embrace this huge milestone in your young person's life.

Making friends

Making friends and fostering positive peer relations is an important part of any young person’s transition to secondary school. While some students will join their new school with a number of friends from primary school or may know some friends already starting the same school, others may be starting school alone. While this is naturally a daunting experience, it is noteworthy to remind your child that everyone is in the same boat and that most people won’t know many people and ultimately will want to make friends.

Students are usually placed into a form/base class on their first day and this class will be the group of people they spend most of the day with in school. Usually on the first day the form teacher will usually spend the day hosting ice-breakers, team-building and friend-building activities to help students get to know one another. We always advise students to get stuck into these, to be friendly, and give them a go.

Other avenues for developing friends are the extra-curricular activities arranged by schools. Most schools boast various sports teams while others have many different clubs which are usually run after school or at lunchtime. Soccer, GAA, rugby, tennis, badminton, basketball, music club, STEM club, games club, library, choir, school musical, the list goes on with what is on offer in different schools. Encouraging your son or daughter to take part in one of these activities early on gives them a space to get to know people in their year group. We all know the comradery and community that comes with being part of a club or society so encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone, start something new and put themselves out there is a good move in developing friends. At the end of the day, if the activity is not for them they can always say they tried it.

Starting school is a marathon and not a sprint, it's all about taking things day by day at the start and after a number of weeks the dust settles and the new surroundings and routine become second nature. It is natural for parents, guardians and students alike to go through a whirlwind of feelings throughout the experience.

Remember, schools are on the side of the students and always want what is best for each student so keep them in the loop on any difficulties, questions or problems that might arise throughout the transition period. Finally, enjoy the journey. It's such a big time in the lives of young people and their families and the business and stress can overshadow the fun and excitement that starting secondary school brings. So be organised, be brave and embrace the transition.

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