Getting Ready for Secondary School Information for primary school parents and school communities
Getting Ready for Secondary School
Information for primary school parents
and school communities
What is Junior Secondary?
Getting Ready for Secondary School, which includes the Junior Secondary Agenda, is all about improving student outcomes.
Image by Lime Photography
What is Junior Secondary?
• Key strategies include:- Year 7 will becoming the first year of secondary
schooling from 2015
- smoother transition between primary and secondary settings
- introduction of Junior Secondary to include Years 7–9
- a focus on teaching and learning that meets the needs of early adolescents in Years 7–9.
Image by Lime Photography
Why the move to Junior Secondary?
Improve the
‘what’
Improve the
‘how’
Understand the ‘who’
Learning responding to student needs
Get
ting
Rea
dy
for
Sch
ool
(incl
udin
g pr
e-P
rep)
Ear
ly Y
ears
(P–3
)
Upp
er P
rimar
y
(Yea
rs 4
–6)
Juni
or
Sec
onda
ry
(Yea
rs 7
–9)
Sen
ior
Sec
onda
ry
(Yea
rs 1
0–12
)
P-12 Pos
tsec
onda
ry s
tudy
Junior Secondary students and the stages of adolescence
Early stage adolescencePhysical changes
Anxiety about body
Same sex friends
Breaking childhood ties
Developing adult thinking processes
Middle stage adolescence
Peer focused
Identify with music & icons
Risk-taking behaviours
Seeking individualisation
Late stage adolescenceFacing up to reality
Staying at home longer
Episode 2 - A crash course in the developmental psychology of young people
Ima
ge
s by
Lim
e P
hot
og
rap
hy
Junior Secondary students and teenage brain development
Unused connections
discarded
Connections strengthened
Development occurs inside
out and front to back
New connections developed
During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant reorganisation, impacting on how students engage/ disengage from learning environments.
Image by Lime Photography
What does this mean for my child?
21st Century learning spaces - creative solutions! http://www.wordle.com/
Junior Secondary – guiding principles
Considerations for schools
Distinct identity
Quality teaching
Student wellbeing
Parent and community involvement
Leadership
Local decision-making
Image by Lime Photography
Junior Secondary Principles
Principle 1: Distinct identity Junior Secondary students will have their own group identity.
Principle 2: Quality teaching Teachers will have the skills to support young teens through the early high school years.
Principle 3: Student wellbeingSchools will support the social and emotional needs of Year 7–9 students.
Junior Secondary Principles
Principle 4: Parent and community involvementParents will stay connected with their child’s learning when they enter high school.
Principle 5: leadershipSchools have leadership roles for students and staff focused on Years 7–9.
Principle 6: Local decision-making Community needs will influence how Junior Secondary looks.
Why is parent involvement so important?
Parent participation can lead to: - improved grades, increased enrolment in higher
level programs, higher graduation rates, and a greater likelihood of participation in postsecondary education
- more regular school attendance, better social skills, improved behaviour, and a greater sense of personal interest in learning.
Dr Lance Emerson, Josh Fear, Dr Stacey Fox, Emma Sanders, Parental engagement in learning and schooling: Lessons from research, Family-School & Community Partnerships Bureau (2012)
Parent involvement in the Junior Secondary years
The variables influencing a child's life
Personal Social
School
Dr George Otero, QLD Principals’ Conference, 2013
Why Junior Secondary – what does the data tell us?
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
PrepYear
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12
Year Level
Att
en
da
nc
e R
ate
2008
2009
2010
Yr 7 in Primary
Attendance data P–12
Why Junior Secondary – what does the data tell us?
300
350
400
450
500
550
600
1 0.95 0.9 0.85 0.8 0.75 0.7
NA
PLA
N M
ea
n S
cale
Sco
re
Attendance Rate
Year 9
Year 7
Year 5
Year 3
Sample NAPLAN data for reading
Parent involvement in the Junior Secondary years
• Moving from primary school to high school presents many challenges for students and families.
• This progression through the schooling years can be
made easier if parents continue to actively participate in their children’s education.
• Parents have an important role as motivators, and can continue to be engaged in learning in a supportive capacity.
Parent involvement in the Junior Secondary years
• The nature of effective parental engagement changes as children move through the schooling years.
• Parental engagement during the high school years needs to take account of adolescents’ desire for independence and improved abilities.
So what might parent involvement look like in Junior Secondary?
Communication- Set high expectations- Talk about learning- Talk about school- Use online communication - Know who to contact and how
Engagement- Visit the school for events and
activities- Assist with homework- Attend parent–teacher meetings- Discuss learning goals/results- Join the P&C of the school
Learning - Attend celebrations and
showcases of student work - Participate in workshops about
student learning- Create an environment at home
to support learning and study - Encourage participation in
homework clubs etc.
Parenting - Encourage your child’s
involvement in events and activities
- Talk about the future, e.g. subject choices, occupations
Supporting transition into Junior Secondary
How can I support my child?
When should I start?
What should I do?
What should I say?
For more information about Junior Secondary
http://flyingstart.qld.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx#2
Questions and
comments?