Transitioning from primary to secondary school is an exciting but often nerve-wracking experience for students and their families.

Merici College in Canberra has a unique and practical way to assist students to feel less nervous about starting Year 7. The college invites all students enrolled in Year 7 to join an Oztag team over the summer break, starting in October of Year 6 and ending in February of Year 7.

Teams are arranged to mix small groups of girls from each primary school so that there are both familiar and new faces in each team. The Oztag summer program is a great way to help relieve some of the anxiety around meeting new people at secondary school because when Year 7 starts the students have already formed friendships and know other girls. Those friendships continue to develop during Year 7 as the Oztag season continues.

Grace was a happy participant in this program and says, 'Oztag was a great way to get to know a wider group of girls from different primary schools, and to help make the first days of school far less daunting, knowing I could find people I already knew.' 

Here are practical ways that parents and carers can assist with preparing their Year 6 student for secondary school: 

• share helpful family stories about change (moving schools, new job, new lifestyle), particularly where there are examples of feeling nervous, making mistakes, and asking for help.

• practise travelling to the new school together during the holidays, so students feel confident doing it on their own when the school year begins.

• look at the high school’s website and social media pages together to see what sort of information you can find. Follow up with the school if you or your child have questions.

• check in with your new school about what orientation activities might be planned. And talk to your existing school: do they have any transition activities?

• importantly, talk with your young person about how they and their classmates are feeling about the move to secondary school. What are their challenges? What could help?

From The Conversation: ‘It makes me nervous’: how to help your child prepare for high school'

A helpful guide for parents and carers who have a child moving into Year 7 is Starting Secondary School by renowned psychologist and author Michael Carr-Gregg and Sharon Witt. 

This invaluable resource for Australian families provides all the tools and information parents and carers need for facing this major milestone in their child's life, with the latest advice on: 

· Choosing the right school
· Settling into secondary school
· Homework, study tips and tricks
· Coping with stress, anxiety and depression
· Social issues such as bullying and friendships
· Health and wellbeing, including the importance of sleep and diet
· Latest advice on mobile phones and technology

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