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...?

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) .