Transition to secondary school

The transition between Years 6 and 7 coincides with early adolescence. This is a time when many students are developing rapidly – physically, mentally and emotionally. They are experiencing all these changes while at the same time trying to establish their independence and place in the world. Some students experience unsettling emotional swings, become overanxious, overconfident or resentful of authority. Others appear relatively unaffected by these changes.

Friends become increasingly important to them and peer pressure sometimes affects their judgment. While changed behavior can be very frustrating for parents, it is important to remember that young adolescents still need their parents’ support and guidance, and you should continue to have clear rules and boundaries for them.

Characteristics of young adolescents:

• Early adolescence is a distinct developmental stage of life
• The accelerated physical and personal development that occurs during this period is the greatest in the human life cycle and is marked by great variance in both the timing and the rate of growth
• These are the years during which each individual forms his/her adult personality, basic values and attitudes – those things that determine one’s behaviour
• They reach physical maturity at an earlier age than their grandparents and they acquire apparent sophistication earlier than in previous generations
• They seek autonomy and independence
• They are by nature explorers, curious and adventuresome
• They have intellectual capacities seldom tapped by traditional schooling
• They learn best through interaction and activity rather than by listening
• They seek interaction with adults and opportunities to engage in activities that have inherent value
• Their physical and social development become priorities
• They are sensitive, vulnerable and emotional
• They are open to influence by significant others in their lives

Please take the time to read the following valuable advice from the Department of Education. Northcote High School regularly offers parent forums and briefings covering these and related issues.

Middle transition (PDF size 1.2MB)

Northcote High School's Student Engagement Policy can be accessed here.