Preparing for high school: Tips and support for a smooth transition

Getting ready for high school: A checklist for parents

Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for your child's transition to high school. This checklist is a general guide; please check with your child's school for more specific information.

Prepare supplies: Buy what you need. Uniforms, stationery, books, a school bag, a water bottle and a lunchbox. Check if the school requires devices like a laptop.

Get to know the school: Find out where the main office is, drop off and pick up points, start and finish times and important dates e.g. orientation days, term dates, parent-teacher meetings.

Understand policies: Look at the school's policies on uniforms, attendance, homework, behaviour, and mobile phones. You can usually find these in the orientation information or on the school’s website.

Stay connected: Follow the school's social media pages (like Facebook) and register for the parent portal. Save the school's contact information in your phone and make sure your contact details are up to date with the school.

Explore support options: Let the school know if your child has any allergies, health conditions, or disabilities. Check what support is available, e.g. mental health or learning assistance.

Get involved: Keep in contact with your child's teachers and attend school events and parent-teacher meetings. Check your child’s class timetable to stay engaged with their education.

Plan travel: Plan the route to and from school. Make sure your child knows what to do in an emergency, e.g. what to do if they miss the bus or there are changes to their transport routine.

Encourage friendships: Talk about being open to making new friends and keeping old ones. Remind them that a lot of kids are in the same position.

Keep safe online: Talk about responsible internet use and how to stay safe online. Let your child know they can talk to you if they feel unsafe.

Stay positive: Talk about starting high school in a positive way. Ask your child what they're excited or worried about. Be available to listen and support your child, encourage open communication, and celebrate their achievements.

Download the PDF version of the checklist here

Download

For Aboriginal parents and carers:

Check if your child’s school has an Aboriginal Education Officer or similar role. They are there to support your child’s education and cultural needs.

Officeworks school list

Our partner Officeworks can help you make the most of your Scholarship payments, with their free School List Service.

Last year, parents saved on average 20% on their school list prices when shopping with Officeworks.

To find out more, visit the Officeworks Schools List Page.

Every day counts!

Missing a day of school here or there might not seem like much, but absences add up.

If your child misses...	That equals...	Which is...	And over 13 years of schooling, that's...
1 day a week	40 days a year	2 months a year	Almost 2.5 years
2 days a week	80 days a year	4 months a year	Over 5 years
3 days a week	120 days a year	Over half a school year	Almost 8 years

Going to school every day gives your child the best chance to succeed. If you're having trouble getting them to school, read our resources and contact your Family Partnership Coordinator for help.

We are here for you!

Your Family Partnership Coordinator is here to support you and your child during this transition to high school. They will check in throughout the year to see how your child is settling in.

Your Family Partnership Coordinator can support you by:

Providing tips and information for starting high school.
Helping you explore and overcome any concerns that come up.
Recommending Smith Family educational programs to support your child.
Connecting you with other support services if you decide that's what you need.

You can find your Family Partnership Coordinator contact details in My Smith Family. They’re here to help you and your child through each step of their education!

Enjoy the journey

Starting high school is a big step, but with the right preparation and support, it can be a wonderful experience for you and your child. Enjoy this journey together!

End of article

Preparing for high school: Tips and support for a smooth transition

Key takeaways

Starting high school is an exciting milestone for both you and your child.

Getting ready for high school: A checklist for parents

For Aboriginal parents and carers:

Officeworks school list

Every day counts!

We are here for you!

Enjoy the journey

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