“That ICPA Qld lobbies the Department of Education (DoE) for the development and implementation of a statewide Year 6 secondary school readiness program for all Queensland Schools, ensuring rural and remote students experience an equitable and supported transition to secondary school.”
Year 6 students transitioning into secondary school, face a significant adjustment in adapting to the expectations and structure of secondary education. Many rural and remote students transition to local secondary schools or move away from home to attend boarding school.
To support a smoother transition into secondary education, a statewide readiness program would ensure equity, consistency and improved wellbeing outcomes for all rural and remote Year 6 students. By Year 6, students should demonstrate confidence and independence in managing their personal organisation. This includes but not limited to effectively maintaining a school diary, using a planner to track tasks and meet deadlines, reading and interpreting timetables, basic research, correct referencing techniques and completing homework with increasing autonomy. These skills support students in preparing for the greater expectations of secondary schooling and help them develop strong lifelong organisational habits.
Whilst all Queensland High Schools run their own transition activities, there is no specific Year 6 preparedness program for moving into secondary school. We would like to see all Year 6 students supported, by receiving the required academic skills to assist them in their early secondary schooling years. Embedding these skills within Year 6 will better equip rural and remote students with the confidence, independence and capability to meet the demands of secondary schooling and reduce the initial burden of transition.
A statewide program would complement existing school-based transition activities and align with the Department’s commitment to positive transitions framework, from birth to Year 12.
