Sixth Class - Secondary preparation

You are each about to embark on the next stages of your educational journey. Secondary level education awaits and new and exciting times sit eagerly on the horizon. Your exposure to imaginative information, invigorating team sports, social camaraderie and collaborative growth will be plentiful and unrelenting. Is that not an uplifting thought, a battery for excitement and a source of personal satisfaction? It should be!

However, we must plan for these next steps, be prepared for the change and offer attention to the transition.

Here are some topics you need to respectfully and sufficiently offer time to this week, questioning your immediate ability and belief to capably fulfil each task, each of which you will be facing next year.

Give yourself time, write down some notes and set goals if necessary.

1. Do I have the confidence to approach a staff member or older student to enquire about a specific issue?

2. Am I an organised person, treating my belongings, books, materials and resources with care?

3. Do I feel I can offer my studies progressive attention, tackling a little bit at a time instead of allowing workloads to build up and become overwhelming?

4. Who would I seek if I did not warm to a particular subject choice and wanted to speak about my options of changing?

5. How will I get used to the new environment? Will I make a genuine, early effort to navigate my way around the school and become increasingly familiar with the new layout?

6. If I am experiencing difficulty with another peer, who would I talk to?

7. Do I offer my homework enough attention?

8. Will I get involved in after school activities? It might help me to meet new people...

Journal Work

The journal work this week is again focused on the transition into secondary level education. Through this we can each become increasingly focused, prepared and generally attuned to the needs and requirements that a transition like this demands.

We are going to delve into the work straightaway. Below are a number of tasks which you must carry out in your journal. Offer each task deep-thought, consideration and focus. The following tasks will ensure we have targets and aspirations to chase, dreams to run towards and progress to make.

Tasks;

1. Set five goals for your first week in first year.

2. Write down three people you could trust if you wanted to discuss a school-related issue with.

3. Set two long term targets for your first year in secondary school.

4. Set about searching for a positive quote that you wish to channel your energy and determination with throughout first year. Make note of that quote.

5. Do you have someone in your family who you could talk to about different issues that you might need answers for?

6. Have you a subject area which you feel you need to target with more diligence?

7. What new subject area are you relishing with excitement about commencing?

8. What personal trait would you like to see thrive across first year?

Secondary school preparation guide;

Below you will find a list of varying points which may help to construct greater clarity within your mind surrounding different elements of secondary level education. The points made are for your benefit but some may register more value or insight than others, allowing you to gauge your attention and focus accordingly.

1. Study in secondary level should be consistent. It is better to confront work through a ‘little and often’ approach and mindset as opposed to leaving a workload build and become increasingly daunting.

2. It is hugely important to speak and discuss any concerns which you may have with relevant staff members within secondary school. Pose questions and queries often. Seek clarity over any issue which is causing you to feel uncertain. Nothing can be gained from not speaking up and targeting advice.

3. If you notice yourself finding the adaption and transitioning process difficult, speak to a staff member, friend or year head and you will subsequently gain the necessary support needed to lessen those worries and tensions.

4. Launch into new clubs, societies, committee’s etc. This will enhance your chances of meeting new people, learning new skills and building self-esteem and inner-confidence.

5. Speak regularly to your friends about their experiences. This will create a sense of openness within your social group, somewhere for you all to voice any concerns and loosen up issues that are proving difficult.

6. “Start as you mean to go on” – a great outlook for anyone looking to commence the next stages of their educational endeavours on the right foot.

7. Communicate with family members as they will be eager and enthused to hear of the new experiences you are each facing.

8. Believe in yourself! This is pivotal. It is often a great challenge for each of us to fully believe in our own abilities but with consistent work and attention you will feel empowered and increasingly confident.

This week, a new quote relating to patience;

"Patience is not passive, on the contrary it is concentrated strength"