The goal of high quality transition systems is to ensure that education is a seamless process from Prep to Year 12. Bentley Park College is committed to implementing targeted, evidence-based actions to maximise the school's readiness to meet the needs of all children and families as they transition through the phases of learning from Pre-Prep to Year 12. The College enacts transition strategies that effectively support each child to meet their individual needs so every child succeeds.
Successfully transitioning students through school is an ongoing process beyond simply providing students an orientation to their new environment. For some students, transition can continue long after entering their new environment within the school. Successful transition systems enhance student wellbeing.
The College continually strives to work with our educational partners to implement collaborative transition practices that align to the Department of Education models for best practice.
Bentley Park College students engage in three types of transitions:
- External transitions – from a different school environment to Bentley Park College.
- Internal transitions within a sector – between two year levels in the same sector of the College.
- Internal transitions between sectors – when Bentley Park College students move from Primary into Secondary.
The College provides opportunities for children and parents/carers to get to know the school, begin to develop a relationship with their new teachers and understand the way learning is organised.
This is done through information evenings, tours of the College facilities, open days, celebrations and social functions at the school. These evening sessions are notified via the College and feeder school newsletters, notice boards, Facebook page and the College website.
Parents/carers of both new and continuing students are encouraged to take an active role in their student's learning program and are welcome to visit the school to meet staff, have a tour and see your child at work and play. Examples of such participation include direct classroom support, helping with cultural and sporting activities, helping on committees, volunteering as a P&C helper in the College canteen and tuckshop and helping with the making of resources in the two libraries.
Prep Transition
Prep enrolment interviews are held in Term 4 to learn about families and support them through the transition process and answer any questions about starting school.
In November each year the College holds a Prep parent/carer welcome afternoon to support families with a focus on 'ready child, ready family'.
A Prep Orientation is held the following week to assist parents/carers and children to become more familiar and comfortable with the school environment. Parents/carers and school staff are able to discuss their children and form strong partnerships before commencing school.
Year 6 into Year 7 Transition
From the commencement of Semester 1 each year, Bentley Park College Year 6 students spend one hour every Tuesday afternoon in the Secondary Sector as part of our Transition Program. During this time they rotate through three, eight-week learning projects in The Arts, Science and Robotics delivered by Secondary staff, with their Year 6 classroom teacher also present. The program has been operating now for many years and is always very popular with students and staff.
Year 6 students from Bentley Park College and other Primary schools participate in a Transition Day in December ahead of the commencement of Secondary school the following year. Students get to meet their classmates and teachers in advance and experience activities in English, Maths, Dance, Drama, INTAD and ICT.
Year 10 into 11 Transitions
Year 10s begin their careers sessions early in the year to prepare them to select the Senior subjects most suited to them. Students experience career and pathways sessions, subject orientation sessions and a pathways expo. Our Year 11 Enrolment Information Session is held each July, followed by Year 11 Enrolment Interviews in August and September.
For more information on enrolling at Bentley Park College please phone our Enrolments Officer on 07 4040 8130.