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Mahurangi College’s Year 7 head Rob Carty and Head of Year 7 & 8 Keith Tennant visit all their feeder primary schools to tell Year 6 pupils what to expect.
Thoughts of going back to school are probably the last thing on most kids’ minds at present, but for those about to make the jump from primary or intermediate to college, it might be more of an issue.
Although all the region’s colleges and high schools – Mahurangi College, Rodney College and Otamatea High School – have carried out extensive orientation programmes, most children, and their parents, may still be feeling a little apprehensive about what to expect when the new term starts.
For the students, it could be worries about meeting so many new people, or whether they will fit in, cope with the work or be placed in a class with their mates. For mums and dads, it’s more likely to be facing up to the bittersweet inevitability that “their baby” is growing up, and wondering how he or she will cope with all the trials, tribulations and temptations in an adolescent environment.
Local senior schools are well aware of this and have developed systems over time to ensure they do all they can to ease the transition from primary or intermediate to the college environment, and to make the process as gentle and non-scary as possible.
This starts on the first day of Term 1 when just the new intake and one or two senior years are at school so the younger students are not overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
At Mahurangi College, the incomers share their first day with Year 11 and 12 students only.
“There’s only a small number on the first day, so Year 7s don’t feel intimidated,” head of Years 7 and 8, Keith Tennant, says. “We meet them in the hall with parents and announce classes, they meet their teachers and see their classrooms. The teacher shows them round again, shows them how their timetable works, the Year 12s take them to their house meetings and whanau, and they meet their whanau teacher.
“We also take all the kids to the bus shelter and show them how the buses line up and which bus to catch. It’s very much a ‘softly softly’ approach. They’re never left on their own on that first day.”
It’s a similar story for new Year 9 students at Rodney College in Wellsford, where they share their first day with senior students from Year 13.
Principal Irene Symes says that the newcomers will already be reasonably comfortable in the college, as it operates weekly technical lessons for Year 7 and 8 students from its feeder schools.
“They are here on a weekly basis over the year,” she says. “Then the first day is only for Year 13s and Year 9s, because we want them to get to know the place on their own without all the other students being here. The Year 13s are set up to do the mentoring that day.
“They get to meet their teachers, get their timetables and have a bit of fun as well, to try to break the ice, with a swim in the school pool and a barbecue at lunchtime.”
But before that first day at a big new school dawns, what are the best ways to prepare and make sure that primary and intermediate pupils are ready to face life as a college student?
At both Mahurangi and Rodney College, staff urge both parents and students to make sure all the practical requirements are in place in plenty of time – uniform, stationery, paperwork and devices – and that everything is named.
They point out that if a student has to worry about something that they don’t have or aren’t wearing, it’s an added stress and it could prevent them from joining in fully straight away with academic or sporting activities.
Ms Symes says having to the wear correct college uniform can be challenging, especially for students coming from smaller schools, and it’s vital that parents help their children to meet school requirements.
Mr Tennant also urges parents to keep up with their child’s activities and opportunities via the internet.
“Jump on the school website, get all the daily notices, see what’s going on,” he says. “You can call up your child’s timetable, you can check your child’s attendance, and if you have any queries at all, just email the teacher.”
For students, he stresses the importance of listening to daily notices about sports and cultural activities, then acting on them, to make the most of the many opportunities available. Ms Symes agrees.
“Don’t sit back, take the opportunities,” she says.
The most important thing for all new students to realise is that they’re not alone. If they have any doubts, queries or concerns, all schools stress that what they need to do is talk to someone, whether it is a teacher, student or house or year dean.
“We go to a great deal of trouble to look after our students,” Mr Tennant says. “Our number one culture is of caring.”
Ms Symes adds that Rodney College is not scary, but there are some expectations and students do need to do their best.
“Get involved is my message.”
