Sixth Class - Secondary

The focus for our last full week is again going to be dominated by differing points and topics that hold valuable importance when preparing for the next stages of your educational journey – secondary level. Through offering deep thought, attention and concentration to your own readiness for secondary level education you are indeed igniting the flame for your opening days, weeks and months ahead. Through reflection and genuine honesty we can discover and evaluate elements of our personal profile that are currently well-equipped to deal with and confront new and challenging moments in secondary level education. Also, through this practice we can channel into those aspects of our own make-up that may need to be bolstered, strengthened and worked upon if we are to efficiently tackle other elements of school life.

Here are some points to think about, read and reflect upon with honesty. Take notes, document your thoughts and work on those aspects which you make reference to;

1. Do I feel motivated to succeed and offer my best in secondary school?

2. Is there something that I feel is holding my learning back and if so what can/could I do to erase or ease that problem?

3. Am I reading enough? - Reading is pivotal to several aspects across our personal development – vocabulary, writing, social awareness etc. Do I feel I need to offer more time to reading...?

4. Is there a subject or subjects that I feel particularly strong at? Could I get more involved in this curricular area – example; “I love geography. I have a great passion for it... I think I should enquire about some form of gardening or orienteering society”.

5. Do I arrive to school in a fully organised manner – books ready, bag efficiently packed etc.?

Journal Work

To suitably and effectively develop on from our previous week’s journal work, lets tackle and eagerly confront issues and concepts of a similar theme and outlook this week, finishing in productive style.

Recently, we forcefully and determinedly targeted the aspect of goal setting. Through setting goals we each mentally form a reference point, a dream and a vision to which to aspire and travel towards. Goals activate our motivation and propel us towards thriving for personal growth and development.

For this final week, you are each tasked with setting some new and developmental aspirations for the next stages of your educational pathways. Give these points time, channel your thoughts honestly and write ambitiously;

1. Set two goals for your social development when thinking about your early stages and weeks of secondary school. This could be (example) – I would like to work on my confidence, putting myself forward more, offering my opinions with greater regularity in my friend group.

2. For your first week in secondary level, pick three things you would like to achieve – example; 1. Get to grips with my new environment. 2. Speak to girls I have not met before. 3. Become familiar with new teachers and staff.

3. Finish the sentence – When I finish first year I would like to be able to say...........

4. Here is an example of turning a negative into a positive – Secondary school might be difficult -> I am excited about the new challenges ahead. Now, change this negative into a positive; I do not like the thought of having so many subjects to cover... -> _____________________

Secondary school preparation guide;

To develop on from our previous week, you are going to be provided with a range of outlooks and points which could be noted, documented or simply read over when preparing for your transition into secondary level education. The following points are offered as a guide and reference point, readily available for future referral if that need arrives.

1. If you feel a problem is beginning to surface, be it with a particular subject or fellow peer, tackle and deal with the issue immediately.

2. Try to turn negative thoughts into positive versions – this will help you to see the opportunities instead of the bridges.

3. Strive to speak and deal with other people as you would like to be treated.

4. Ask questions! Do not be afraid to continually ask questions. This will help you to gather a huge sense of clarity.

5. Do you have high self-esteem? If not, is it something you might try to work hard on between now and your starting date for secondary level?

6. Are you anxious about being separated from a friend? Remember, that you will have multiple opportunities to meet that friend at other times and you will also begin to socialise with new and different people which will be fun too.

7. Finish the sentence – When I walk in the doors on my first day I would like to....

8. Set goals. Plan. Dream big. Stay positive.

Finally, we would like to wish you all the very best of luck, happiness and fun in the next stages of your educational lives. Remember, to take each day as it comes, try your best and refrain from being too hard on yourself. And most importantly, have fun!