Transition to Junior Secondary
Wooroolin State School works closely with the small schools in the cluster as well as local High Schools to provide a streamlined exit from primary to secondary education. Throughout the year our Year 7 students have opportunities to develop friendships and bonds out of our small school setting. This includes at combined camps and excursions, activity days and sports practice and Carnival days. There are, however, a number of more formal activities designed specifically for Year 7s at Wooroolin.
Early in the year our Year 7s attend Leadership Camp at Barambah Environmental Education Centre. This 3-day camp establishes the first opportunity where students can come together solely as a Year 7 group across a number of small schools. The camp encourages friendship, team building and self-reflection.
In Term 3, representatives from Kingaroy State High School visit our school and introduce themselves to our students. This meeting is organised and led by the Year 8 coordinator and the Chaplain of the High School. There is often a third representative from the High School available – sometimes the Guidance Officer or other senior officer of the school. After this introductory meeting, parents are invited to an Information Session where Year 8 is outlined to them. It is also the first formal opportunity for parents to ask questions.
During term 4, Year 7 students continue transition activities with a visit from Youth Workers at Kingaroy CTC Youth Services. Members of this organisation work at high schools with students and provide activities after school for teenagers. This informal session is invaluable to students who often have many questions about high school life.
The Kingaroy small schools join together at Wooroolin Hall in late term 4 for the Year 7 Transition Day. The day is run by a Guidance Officer and supported by other professionals including a Behaviour Support Teacher, a Health Nurse and Principals. The day focuses on a range of topics including peer pressure, friendships, coping and organisational skills and health issues.
This day is followed up by the local high school orientation days. This includes the orientation days of Kingaroy State High School, Wondai State School P-9 and Saint Mary’s Catholic College. Students attend only the relevant Day depending on their enrolment for Year 8.
In 2015 students completing Year 6 will leave primary school and continue their schooling at high school. It is proposed that Years 7, 8 and 9 will be renamed Junior Secondary and Years 10 to 12 will then be called Senior Secondary.