Changing Schools

Ways you can help your child to settle quickly if they have to change schools

Imagine being the new kid at school. You've turned up to school in a fresh new uniform only to find the other kids in jeans because it's mufti. You can't find the toilet block, all your belongings are still packed in a box, and you left all your friends at your last school. You smile at every strange face and you feel like you're wearing a neon sign that says, "I'm new, please like me!"

Lots of kids change schools at some point in their education - about 30% of kids moved at least once over the last three years. Any move is stressful, but moving schools also has the potential to impact on kids' learning. Research suggests that the effects of moving can be negative, neutral or even beneficial, largely depending on the reasons for the move and the family's attitude towards moving. In fact, recent Australian research found that for some students, moving contributes to higher levels of learning as students build resilience and respond to new challenges and new learning situations. However if there are already other issues negatively affecting learning outcomes, then moving frequently can compound these issues.

Fiona Lewis works as a Defence Transition Aid at North Nowra Public School with children who move because of a parent's defence posting. She finds that children are quite adaptable and resilient. Fiona says that "children are mostly concerned with fitting in, so information like library and sport days are vital for kids so that they don't feel out of place."

"When parents take the time to get children ready for the changes and are positive, their children settle quickly," says Fiona. Fiona always suggests for parents to go to the school beforehand and if possible meet with the child's teacher before they start, in order to build links between home and school. In high school, the year advisor may be the best person to talk to about settling into the school.

Fiona says "it is often the parents that need the most information and reassurance when their child starts at a new school." She puts in a lot of effort to help parents to meet each other. Fiona says "when you start at a new school after Kindergarten, it's harder to meet other parents, so try to get involved in activities at the school and in the community to build friendships."

Ruth Still, Manager of Student Counsellors in NSW public schools suggests that if it is possible for parents to choose the time of their move, it helps children if they can start at a new school at the start of the school year.

Ruth suggests it is normal for kids to feel a little anxious about starting at a new school and all students have access to a counsellor if this anxiety becomes overwhelming. Students worry that they will lose contact with old friends and have trouble making new friends. Ruth says "parents can encourage their child to accept opportunities to get involved in activities in their new community in order to develop friendships."

There are lots of ways parents can help their children before, during and after a move that can help them to settle into a new school.

Before the move

Helping your child settle into their new school happens long before any move even begins. Below is a list of things you can do that could help make it a successful move for your child:

Student portfolios

A student portfolio provides a documented history of your child's schooling. A student portfolio involves pulling together all recent reports, work samples, awards and other relevant information into one folder. This becomes a great way for your child's new school to understand what work your child has been doing. When children are involved in this they also get to review their achievements, their life at the school and have all relevant information in one place.

 Choosing a new school

• You can use the school locator available on the Public Schools website in order to find schools in the area and involve your child in the decision. You may be able to visit a number of schools in the area and your child can be involved in the decision.
• Gather as much information about the new school as possible from the school's website. Ring the school and talk to the school staff. Ask for a copy of the school's annual report, prospectus or information brochure.
• Try to visit the school beforehand and talk with other parents at the school.

Settling in

• In the house, organise your child's room first so that they can settle as soon as possible.
• Make an appointment to meet with the principal at the new school.
• At the meeting with the principal, show them your child's portfolio of work. Discuss with the principal your child's strengths and areas for development, interests, personality, placement and special needs (if applicable). Be honest with the principal about any problems your child has been having and what might help them.
• Meet your child's teacher and establish a process of communicating.
• Familiarise yourself with the school and try to meet new parents by joining in school activities.
• Stay in touch with your child and how they are going.
• After a couple of weeks, check with the teacher about how your child is settling in.

Moving interstate

Moving interstate can cause headaches for families as different states have different school systems. A national curriculum will begin in 2011, which should mean consistency across Australian schools. In the meantime, a national system for the transfer of student information between schools called Interstate Student Data Transfer Note has been implemented. This helps the student's new school to place and support that student quickly with the help of accurate information from the student's previous school.

Resources

Here are some resources to help you and your child:

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Changing Schools

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Changing Schools: An information booklet for parents

Travelling Teens: A parent's guide to family relocation

Department of Defence resources for Defence families