Transition Programs

We are proud of our well established and successful transition programs.  An important priority for us is that all children new to Glendal feel happy and secure, as quickly as possible.  This is achieved through explicit programs and a nurturing and caring staff.  We provide new children with a buddy to help them familiarise themselves to our school and to settle in. Our Foundation students have a year 6 buddy for the year.

Our school has been selected to become a sponsored Better Buddies school  by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

"Through Better Buddies, children in their first and last year of primary school buddy up and learn the values: caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility. All children in the school learn these values through formal and informal activities, including their interactions with the mascot Buddy Bear, our giant, fun-loving and caring purple bear.

Better Buddies enables younger children to feel safe and cared for while older children feel valued and respected.It is designed to enhance existing buddy programs or introduce a buddy program to primary schools for the first time. The evidence-based framework complements existing school welfare programs, is easy to implement and links to national curriculum initiatives".

For more information click here: Better Buddies

  • Find myschool.vic.gov.au hosts the most up-to-date information about Victorian school zones.

    To visit the site, see: www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au

Department of Education Policy

This policy sets out requirements for entry into Victorian government schools, including admissions, enrolments, the placement of students and transfers between schools.

Details

This Enrolment Policy and the mandatory Enrolment in a Victorian Government School Guidelines, available on the Guidance tab, combines the admissions, enrolment, placement and transfers policies into one clear and concise location for Victorian government schools.

Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic):

  • Schooling is compulsory for students aged between 6 and 17 years unless an exemption from attendance has been granted. This applies to all schools including mainstream, specialist, and government English language schools or centres.
  • Every Victorian student has a legislated right to enrol at their designated neighbourhood school (section 2.2.13) and may be enrolled at another school subject to sufficient accommodation (section 2.2.14).

  • Victorian government schools must refer to the Enrolment in a Victorian Government School Guidelines (see Guidance tab), for details on:

  • age eligibility, including exceptions and exemptions from the maximum and minimum school age requirements and processes
  • determining designated neighbourhood school areas and zones
  • Department policy requirements relating to placement of students (Placement Policy) and enrolment management
  • enrolment appeal processes and requirements
  • determining permanent residence of students and families
  • required documentation and information when enrolling students
  • transfers between schools
  • concurrent enrolment for students entering youth justice or secure welfare.

Foundation

We implement a structured approach to build happy, positive relationships with our incoming Foundation students and families.  

These include:

  • A parent information session in Term 4, discussing  the Foundation transition process and expectations for the following year.  A comprehensive handbook is provided for all families.
  • A formal program for enrolled students, with classroom teachers.
  • All incoming Foundation students receive a welcome letter with a photo from their own teacher. 
  • A teddy bear day for the  current Foundation students and families, with craft, singing and listening to teddy stories.
  • A '100 days of school' celebration.
  • Invitations to other whole school events eg: Year 2 Musical production.
  • Our Foundation students are matched to Year 6 buddies. This  helps them to happily settle into school life.  Their buddies also plan and implement fun literacy and numeracy activities to do together.

Year 6

  • Our well developed and effective relationships, with main neighbourhood secondary colleges, are very important in ensuring a smooth transition to secondary education.  Our students attend a wide range of local government and independent secondary colleges.
  • Our secondary transition program focuses on excellent communication between our local secondary college, parents and our school transition co-ordinators.
  • Secondary college information nights for parents are promoted in our newsletter and parents are encouraged to visit a range of secondary colleges.
  • A special unit of work completed in Term 4, focusing on transition and timetabling.
  • Our Year 6 teaching, learning and homework programs encompass the development of academic skills, as well as management and organisational skills.  Anecdotal and parent survey results indicate that our students are academically and emotionally prepared for the daily routines of secondary college.
  • Year 6 students attend a full day orientation program, at their chosen secondary college, at the end of the year.

Department of Education  Transition Policy — Year 6 to 7

This policy sets out school obligations for the application process from primary school to secondary school and the support schools need to provide students to assist in a smooth transition from Year 6 to Year 7.

Supporting students transitioning to Year 7  will be a key shared priority for primary and secondary schools.

More support is available from the Regional Office.The principles of the Department’s Placement Policy are to be applied to the transition of students to Year 7.

Information for families on transitioning from Year 6 to 7, including Transition Information Packs for Parents/Carers, is available on the parent section of the Department’s website, refer to: Moving from primary to secondary school: information for parents.

A successful transition from primary to secondary school involves a student being able to move as seamlessly as possible to their new setting. To ensure all students are supported in their transition to secondary school, schools must ensure their transition practice and programs provide appropriate personal, social and academic supports to promote student engagement and wellbeing.

Across and within the school

  • Prior to the  finish of a school year, a “walk up” time is allocated for all students to visit their new classroom and meet their new teacher and class. Students starting the following year are invited to attend on this day.
  • In preparation for French lessons in Years 5 and 6, the Year 4 students are involved in an introductory French lesson in Term 4.
  • The  Learning Community program, at the start of the year, develops social connections and common expectations regarding behaviour. This  is underpinned by our school values and student well being program. This is a very positive start for all Glendal students.
  • Presentations at school assemblies demonstrate learning experiences and programs at different year levels, giving students information of what to expect as they move through the school.
  • Scheduled whole school performances by different year groups, including the Year 2 annual production and Year 6 film festival, assist in promoting learning at a variety of year levels.
  • Our Speech therapist provides appropriate strategies, to assist any students with their learning and wellbeing.

 

Glendal Primary School