Transition
From the Junior School into Year 5
It is understandable that Junior School parents are nervous and anxious about the next step in their child’s education at The Knox School - the journey to Lower Middle School. The transition from Junior School to Lower Middle School is taken very seriously. It is important for both students and their parents that this process is treated with the utmost care and consideration. In order to make the transition process as smooth as possible, The Knox School undertakes the following:
The Buddy Program
Each class from Year 5 to Year 7 works with a Junior School class to create a buddy system. Activities are wide ranging and the older students are mentored on how to interact positively with their younger counterparts. Buddy Program activities generally take place over a morning culminating in a barbecue lunch by which time friendships have been formed across the sub-schools.
Orientation Day
Orientation Day is attended by Year 4 students and all incoming Lower Middle School students from external schools. The Year 5 teachers will arrange a series of activities that will be relevant to the students as they enter the Lower Middle School including getting to know the school grounds and participating in activities such as science experiments and sport.
Bridging the gap
Throughout the year, Year 4 students are welcomed into the Lower Middle School, participating in exciting team building activities with students and teachers. This allows the Year 4 students to become familiar with the Lower Middle School environment, teachers and students, ensuring their transition is smooth and rewarding.
Class selections
The Year 4 teachers will place students into two groups taking into account academic ability, sociability and friendship groupings. The Year 4 and Year 5 teachers will liaise with both Heads of School to monitor class selections throughout Term 1.
Year 7 Entry
Spend a Day
Almost all students entering the school at Year 7 identify “making new friends” as their biggest concern. As a result of this we invite students coming to The Knox School to come and spend a day with our Year 6 students during the year preceding their entry into Year 7.
Orientation Day
Orientation Day is held in November each year and we place students in their House groups for a day of specially organised activities. At the conclusion of the day we ask each student to choose four friends that they would like to be placed with for the following year. In this way students come to the school confident that they will be in a class with at least two of their friends.
PAT testing
PAT tests are done for all our incoming Year 7 students. In this way we are able to have a spread of academic ability in each class and teachers are aware of the individual differences between students.
Transition morning
On the day before Term 1 begins all Year 7 students come to school for two hours. During this time they meet their tutor, receive their Record Book and timetable, visit all the classrooms they will use during the year and place all their books in their lockers. Also at this time parents have the opportunity to talk informally with the Principal and the Head of Lower Middle School regarding any concerns they may have.
Lower
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