It is hard to believe that we are at the end of Week 4 in what can only be described as a highly productive, yet very busy term. We have hosted a football gala day, with students travelling from the West Coast to play against our junior and senior teams and our Year 9 students upheld our core values through their representation of our school at a careers expo excursion in our local Burnie community. This week, Parklands staff have been joined by three pre-service teachers, who will be observing our outstanding staff and students, to gain greater experience in general teaching duties and pedagogical practice, over the next three weeks – we hope that they enjoy their time here at Parklands. It is during this week that we also have a strong focus on transition for our Parklands students; students who are transitioning from Year 10 to Year 11 and our prospective 2022 Year 7 students, who are beginning their journeys as high school students.  

We believe a successful transition program from primary to secondary school involves students being able to move as seamlessly as possible to their new setting. To ensure all students are supported in their transition to secondary school, we ensure our transition program provides the appropriate personal, social and academic supports to promote student engagement and wellbeing. In the coming weeks, our Student Leadership Group will visit our feeder primary schools along with our Transition Coordinator, Emily Devlin, to give students a snapshot of what to expect at high school. We will also be holding our Year 7 Parent Information Evening during Week 9 for our new families, along with many other transition opportunities throughout Term 3 and Term 4. 

Equally as important is the transition process for our senior students transitioning to Year 11. In Term 2 students our students will prepare for this process through information sessions provided by Parklands staff and staff from Hellyer College: a Year 11 Transition Evening, in class pathways planning and course familiarisation. Students will continue their transition in Term 3 with enrolment meetings and visits to Hellyer and surrounds depending on the individual needs and selections of the students, will prepare our students for their next steps. Thank you, Mr Crawford and Mrs Crawford, for leading our senior students through this process. 

Transition isn’t limited to Year 6 and Year 10 students. At Parklands High School, we provide students with many opportunities to grow and learn. Currently, our Year 7 students are completing their second round of taster options of either Digital Technologies, The Arts: Music, Drama and Languages: Japanese, Design and Technologies: Metal, Wood and Food. This process allows our students to make informed option selections targeted at their interest during Term 3. Our Year 8 Students are beginning to identify career options and aspirations through their increased access to a variety of option subjects; our Year 9 students have a strong focus on transitioning to work readiness and are beginning discussions with their teachers about how their subject choices will support their Year 11 transition. 

Finally, the most crucial component to successful transition, is attendance. Regular school attendance allows students to access all opportunities presented to them to gain the skills and knowledge needed for success both now and later in life. Attending school every day will assist your child to make steady progress and growth with their learning and establish strong, positive and supportive relationships with others as they prepare for their future careers. We look forward to continuing to share the transition process with our students and their families this term and over the course of the year.