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The
High School Years
Preparing for the next steps of their future.
PSPN
The high school years represent a time of dramatic changes for both
students and their parents. The hand holding days are long gone by,
parent-teacher conferences become a rare commodity and the burden of
responsibility for success or failure is placed squarely on your teens
shoulders. If there is ever a time where a watchful eye in a child's
academic activity is truly needed it is now, even though your opinions and involvement may be met with
considerably less than grateful appreciation from your teen or his or her
teachers. Remember that it is during the high school years that drop out rates soar, frustration is at a maximum level and this young man or
woman that was once your baby is really more in control than you are. This
is their time to begin taking responsibility for their futures and as parents,
we simply hope and pray that our many lectures and words of wisdom were heard.
As academic advisors lead your child in the
direction they
think best suits his or her academic abilities, course loads and classes are
selected that will ultimately determine you child's course for the future. Because of tremendous demands on the
faculty and staff of most public high schools due to the large number of students they must advise and the short span of time they have to work
within, in many districts teachers stand in as academic advisors.
Unfortunately, in many advisory sessions, parents feel that their opinions are
either dismissed and sometimes even totally ignored.
NSW Public Schools
Going to High School
Time to start year 7 – A
parent's guide to starting high school
(Fact Sheets)
Ten Tips to Help Prepare
Students for High School
Entering high school is an exciting time for students. They are moving
into what is often a larger school environment. This can lead to anxiety or
periods of unease. Here are some steps parents and caregivers can take to help
students start high school on a positive note.
 Be
interested and enthusiastic about their move to high school.
Your encouragement will help your child to make a successful transition to High
School. Listen to their experiences and expectations. Don't dwell on your own
experiences of school.
 Attend
the High School Orientation Day If your child will be
entering high school in 2004 then keep a look out for the orientation days which
high schools hold in Term 3 and 4. These days are designed to help parents and
their children prepare for starting high school. Some children, because of
pressure from their peers, will try to discourage their parents from attending
orientation days. Being there will help you understand your child's experiences
better.
Also keep a look out for other events at your child's prospective school which
may help him/her learn about what high school is like.
 Make
sure travel arrangements to and from school are organized.
Organize travel passes. This will help settle some of the concern about
independent travel. Talk about back-up travel arrangements, for example, what to
do if a bus or train doesn't come.
 Discuss
the changes every student will experience. Emphasize
that many people feel apprehensive about changing from a small primary school to
a larger high school, and that there will be people to help them adjust.
 Learn
about school routines and timetables. Talking to
student already enrolled at the school can be useful in finding out information
about things such as sporting venues used by the school and school finishing
times. The school will provide information before it's needed.
 Help
your child to develop good study habits. Try to
provide them with somewhere private and quiet to study. Help your child to set
aside a particular time to study. Work out a daily timetable that incorporates
all your child's needs and interests. Regularly viewed TV programs, club
activities and sport should all be part of the timetable. Ultimately they will
need to manage their own study and they can guide you in what is helpful for
them.
 Practice
organizational skills. In the first few weeks of high
school you might want to check with your child that they have the right books
for the following day. You will quickly encourage a good habit.
 Discuss
emergency and safety issues. Talk about these issues -
including crossing roads or taking essential medication - simply and without
emotion. Allow your child to contribute their views. Find out who the staff are
at the school who can help them if they need it on issues such as medication.
 Let
your child know that you trust them and that they can trust you.
Keep communication open about all your child's experiences, and
make sure they know you're available if things go wrong.
 Help your child
set priorities. The expectations and responsibilities of high school
will be quite different than what your child experienced in middle school.
As more and more responsibility falls upon their shoulders, help your child
evaluate the levels of importance they place upon their academic requirements
versus social activities.
NSW Department of Education
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