Transition to high school

Starting high school can be a big adjustment. Read advice on how to prepare your child to become a high school student or change schools.

Getting ready for the change

Starting high school is a new experience that can involve many changes for students, including:

• going to a larger school
• changing classrooms and teachers for each subject
• choosing elective subjects
• more responsibility for managing their schoolwork and study
• making new friends and dealing with peer pressure.

Many high schools offer activities to help prepare new students who will be starting high school the following year, including:

• orientation or open days

• transition to year 7 programs.

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Check with your high school to find out about any orientation or transition to year 7 activities.

Before the first day of school

Practical preparations ahead of the first day can help make starting high school easier and calm any nerves, including:

• wearing in uniforms and shoes
• buying school supplies
• planning travel to and from school
• learning how to use transport apps or read a timetable
• getting to know other students beforehand.

Help your child get ready for high school at the NSW Department of Education.

If your child is changing schools

Changing schools partway through a year can be challenging, whether it’s a move to a new suburb, city, state or country.

Challenges can include:

• repeating or missing out on topics
• learning or communicating in a new language
• leaving friends behind
• making new friends.

Find more information and advice on moving schools at the Raising Children Network.