Transition: the five areas of action

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Going to a Public School		Supporting primary–secondary transition Introduction Nature of the student Four phases of transition Five areas of action for transition Transition programs Developing a transition program Conducting a transition audit Identifying transition activities Implementing a transition program Evaluating a transition program Case studies of school transition programs and activities . Related information Impact of transfer and transition on pupil progress Taking the tide at the flood . Contact Details Strategic Initiatives Directorate Phone: 9244 5440 Fax: 9266 8187 To email us your feedback, comments and contributions, please click here.
Finding a public school School Locator How to enrol at a Public School Types of Public Schools Preschool Primary High School International Students School Handbook	Home › Going to a Public School › High School › Primary-secondary transition: support materials › Transition: the five areas of action Transition: the five areas of action Galton, Gray and Ruddock (1999) highlighted the need for schools to have a sustained focus on the needs of students as they transfer from primary to secondary schooling. The researchers identified five main categories of activity which schools can incorporate into their transition programs. These categories, or areas of action, are renamed for the NSW educational context as: Administrative Formal liaison and information exchange occurs between primary schools and secondary schools. This includes: executive and teacher meetings to coordinate transition activities the dissemination of information to primary students about the nature of secondary schooling, the operation or secondary schools and the features and achievements of their local secondary schools the transfer and exchange of information regarding specific students. Social and personal Students' social and personal needs are addressed to reduce their concerns and possible anxiety about changing schools. Issues include developing social relationships within the student group involved in transition, extending students' knowledge about secondary school and building the personal confidence of each student. Positive relationships also develop between students, their parents or caregivers and the new school, typically during the preparation, transfer and induction phases of transition (Years 5 to 7). Curriculum Teachers in primary and secondary schools share information and plans about curriculum and content to be taught in the final stages of primary school and the beginning of secondary school. In NSW, the introduction of the new 7–10 syllabuses provides a consistent curriculum framework and a continuity of progression from Stage 3 to Stage 4 in all key learning areas. Pedagogy Teachers in primary and secondary schools develop a shared understanding of how students learn and what constitutes effective teaching practice. Greater alignment of teaching practices in late primary school and early secondary school reduces the possibility of a decline in student achievement in Years 7 and 8. Management of learning All students are encouraged to manage their transition into secondary school and to develop independent learning and reflection skills. Each student is empowered with information about learning and achievement (including learning how to learn) and with the confidence to articulate individual learning needs and engage in learning in the new environment. A Departmental survey conducted in 2003 across NSW Government schools to investigate the nature of school transition programs indicated that the majority of activities undertaken by schools fall into the 'administrative' and 'social and personal' categories. It is evident, however, that schools are becoming increasingly focused on curriculum continuity, teacher discourse and lesson observation related to effective learning and quality teaching practice. Many examples of activities for each area of action for transition are available to Departmental staff through the DET intranet site. Examples of activities for areas of action (DET intranet access only) More information about the areas of action for transition is also available using links under 'Related information'. Connecting the five areas of action for transition with the four phases of transition will assist you to develop your transition program.