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

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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?