Education research has demonstrated that the transition from primary to secondary school is often marked by a decline in student achievement and satisfaction with schooling.

In many secondary schools, Year 7 students are expected to move for each class, may be taught by over 12 teachers, and are with different groups of students for each subject. This is very daunting when compared with the primary approach where students spend the majority of their time with the same group of students, with one teacher, in one room.

At Princes Hill Secondary College the Years 7-8 program has been transformed to incorporate the best of both primary and secondary approaches:

Maximum class size throughout the school is 26 students. Year 7s spend 80% of class time with the same group of students. To determine class groups, our staff visit each Primary School and consult with Grade 6 teachers. Students are also asked who they would like to have in their Year 7 class.

Each Year 7 group has its own Home Room. Over half of their classes take place in this room. Their work is on display there and their lockers are directly outside. All Year 7 Home Rooms are located together, creating a Year 7 area.

Two teachers take each group for over 1/3 of their classes. These Home Group teachers will teach the core curriculum of English, Maths, Science and SOSE (Humanities). They see students each day, and also take pastoral care responsibility for the class. Home groups also meet once a week to review and discuss individual student progress.

A special transition program operates for all of Term 1. This includes a Home Group Camp during the first month, and a homework project commenced while students are still at Primary School.

The Princes Hill Secondary College transition program has been so successful, that the school was selected for the Middle Years Research & Design project conducted by the Department and The University of Melbourne to identify exemplary teaching across Years 5-9.

Transition is for parents too...

The College has a long, strong tradition of parent involvement. The success of transition also depends upon you. Parents are welcome at the school at all times, and can be directly involved in school programs. In February, all Year 7 parents are invited to a BBQ where you will meet your child's Home Group teachers and Year Level Co-ordinator, as well as the parents of students in your child's class.

Student progress is closely monitored and parents are contacted regularly by staff. An Interim Report is completed for all subjects and a Parent Report night is conducted before the end of Term 1.

What year 7 students say...

The College regularly surveys Grade 6 students about their expectations of secondary school. At the end of term one, students were asked how their move to secondary school had gone:

"The staff care about your problems…You get treated like adults, get more responsibility and teachers listen to you. They teach you in different ways, and don't just use the blackboard all the time."

"It’s a safe place, I've made plenty of new friends who have been great and my class is terrific."

"There's much more to do, and better subjects. Science, Sports, Art and Music. You get harder work but I really enjoy it."

"It has better camps, better computers and space to play at lunch in the park."

"I like using the computers and the internet to research and type up my projects. You get to use the library at recess and lunch."

"I thought secondary school might be harder and it is. I thought it was going to be good but it is very very good."