Rising to the Challenge: A Confident Transition to High School

Transitioning from primary to secondary school is a defining moment in every student’s life - an exciting ‘first step up the hill’ that can also bring its fair share of nerves. Last week, Kinross Wolaroi School’s newest Year 7 students officially began their Senior School journey, doing so with confidence, familiarity and a strong sense of belonging.

At Kinross Wolaroi School, we’re committed to ensuring this transition is smooth, supportive and empowering. That commitment is reflected in our carefully designed Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Program, which commenced in Week 1, Term 4 and laid strong foundations well before students arrived for their first week of high school.

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Becoming Familiar...and Then Confident

From ordering their first snack at the canteen to playing competitive (and very spirited) lunchtime handball in the Senior quad, each transition experience helps students transform uncertainty into familiarity - and ultimately into confidence.

Key moments of the transition program included:

• Exploring the Year 7 Quad and locker area
• A social media safety session led by Police Youth Liaison Officer, Jane Heffernan
• A student-led FAQ session with Year 7 Coordinator Will Watterson
• A ‘navigating change’ workshop with our School Psychologist Bec Campey
• Orientation Day and academic testing

These moments meant that when students arrived last week, the Senior Campus already felt known and welcoming.

A Program that Starts Long Before Term 4

Transition at Kinross Wolaroi is embedded throughout the year and includes:

• Hands-on experiments in the Science Labs with Chemistry specialist Erin Gibson
• Music lessons in Senior facilities with Ben Yabsley-Bell and Katie Sinclair  
• French Lessons with Isabelle Clarke-Randazzo

Students also built independence and Senior School-aligned experiences through:

• 1:1 laptops connected to Senior learning management platforms
• Access to the gym, library, performance theatre, agriculture plot, pool, and school sport programs

A Word from Junior School Leadership

Virginia Milliken, Head of Kinross Wolaroi Junior School, reflected on the impact of the program:

“Watching students discover that the Senior School is not something to fear - but a place where they already belong - has been one of the most meaningful outcomes of our transition program. Confidence doesn’t come from knowing every answer, it comes from feeling supported enough to try.”

‍Parents+ Students: A Shared Journey

Families responded warmly to the transition process, expressing appreciation for opportunities that allowed students to experience authentic high school environments well before their first day.

Parents shared that they saw considerable growth in:

·      Organisation

·      Independence

·      Resilience;

·      and strong friendships forming—a powerful foundation as students prepare for Year 7.
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Ready to Climb Higher

The move into high school isn’t just about a new uniform or a different timetable —it’s about getting comfortable in new places, trying new things, and realising hey…I can actually do this.

This cohort didn’t just arrive at the Senior Campus last week - they stepped into it with confidence. From navigating new classrooms to refining lunchtime handball tactics, they’ve shown just how quickly confidence grows when curiosity is encouraged and support is close by.

Senior School, they’re here - and they’re ready.

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