Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T03:38:19.109Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Seven into Eight Will Go: Transition from Primary to Secondary School

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Peter Hallinan*
Affiliation:
University of Central Queensland
Pam Hallinan
Affiliation:
University of Central Queensland
*
Faculty of Education, University of Central Queensland, Rockhampton 4702 Queensland
Get access

Abstract

This article reviews the relatively scanty literature on students' perception of transition from primary to secondary school. Students at one particular nonmetropolitan Queensland secondary school were surveyed for their reactions to an induction program, modelled on the Queensland Inter-year Program (McQuade, 1987). Specific aspects taken from the program included preparatory discussions led by the primary school class teacher, contact visits by staff and students both from and to the high school, and the consequent program. Recollected anxieties or concerns are explored in the light of students' perceptions six months after transition. Unanticipated problems from the students' perspective are also reviewed, as are the major support sources as perceived by students. Some suggestions are made for such programs in the light of this survey and the literature.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bezzina, M. (1988). Meeting the needs of children in transition. A middle school program for preservice teacher education. The South Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 16. 101108.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Clarke, D. (1984). Monitoring student adjustment to secondary mathematics. In Costello, P.et al. (Eds.). Facets of Australian mathematics education. Blackburn. Vic: Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers.Google Scholar
Cotterell, J.L. (1979). Expectations and realities: A study of transition from primary to secondary school. Australian Journal of Education, 23, 2131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cotterell, J.L. (1982). Student experiences following entry into secondary school. Educational Research. 24, 296302.Google Scholar
Dutch, R.D., & McCall, J. (1974). Transition to secondary – An experiment in a Scottish comprehensive school. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 44, 282289.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eltis, K.J., Low, B.C., Adams, M.J., & Cooney, G.H. (1987). Transition to high school study. North Ryde, NSW: Macquarie University, School of Education.Google Scholar
Evans, M.J. (1983). The integration into the secondary school of pupils in transition from primary to secondary schooling. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Monash University, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Flanagan, J.C. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327358.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garton, A.F. (1986). Specific aspects of the transition from primary school to high school. The Australian Educational & Developmental Psychologist, 4,1116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Germer, S., & Levett, J. (1987). Off to secondary school. Gosford.NSW: Ashton Scholastic.Google Scholar
Germein, G. (1986). Adapting the curriculum for a child with special needs: A case study. Australian Journal of Remedial Education. 18(2). 1820.Google Scholar
Glenmore High School. (1991). Interyear leaders’ manual. North Rockhampton: Author.Google Scholar
Guide to Class Nomenclature. (1980). Set, 1. Item 15.Google Scholar
Gullotta, TP. (1983). Early adolescence, alienation and education. Theory into practice. 22. 151154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kelly, G. (1955). The psychology of personal constructs. New York: Norton.Google Scholar
Leeds, M. (1987). Truancy: From causes to program direction. The Bulletin of the National Clearinghouse for Youth Studies, 6, 2023.Google Scholar
Nicholls, R. (1984). A study of children in transition from primary to secondary schooling at The Armidale School. Unpublished M. Curr. St. thesis. University of New England, Armidale, NSW.Google Scholar
Nottelmann, E.D. (1987). Competence and self-esteem during transition from childhood to adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 25,441450.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peterson, C.C. (1989). Looking forward through the life-span. (2nd ed.). New York: Prentice Hall.Google Scholar
McCowan, G, & Thiele, L. (1991). Guidance tutoring (2nd ed.). Spring Hill, Qld: Guidance & Counselling Services, Department of Education, Queensland.Google Scholar
McQuade, M. (1987). Queensland Interyear project: Handbook for senior leaders. Gold Coast, Qld: Nerang Rotary Club.Google Scholar
Merlin, P., Haebich, E., & Lokan, J. (1989). “Everybody will be bigger than me”: Children’s perceptions of the transition to high school. The Australian Educational & Developmental Psychologist, 6, 25.Google Scholar
Poole, M.E. (1990). Attitude to schools, career and the future. In Heaven, P.C.L. & Callan, V.J. (Eds.). Adolescence: An Australian perspective (pp. 8397). Sydney: Harcourt. Brace. Jovanovich.Google Scholar
Richards, N.J. (1980). The relationship between background factors and parental interest in and expectation of schooling and satisfaction and confidence of students in transition: The relationship between background factors and parental interest in and expectation of schooling and satisfaction and confidence of students in transition. Unpublished M. Ed. dissertation, Monash University, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Rienstra, G. (1987). From primary school to secondary school: Making it easier for students. Practising Administrator, 9 (4), 2830.Google Scholar
South Australia. Education Department. Participation & EquityProgramme. (1985). New arrivals: Students in transition to high school: Some guidelines. Adelaide, SA: Author.Google Scholar
Spicer, BJ. (1984). A report on the transition to secondary school of pupils from Catholic parish primary schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne who completed Grade 6 in 1981. East Melbourne, Vic: Catholic Education Office of Victoria.Google Scholar
Truscott, E. (1989). Literacy, primary to secondary school, the transition years: A commentary. Australian Journal of Reading, 12, 263264.Google Scholar
Victoria Department of Youth, Sport, and Recreation. (1980). Life. Be in It: Games manual. Melbourne: Budget Books.Google Scholar
West, A., Varlaam, A., and Scott, G. (1991). Choice of high schools: Pupils’ perceptions. Educational Research, 33, 205215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Weston, A.L. (1987). The transition of students from primary school to secondary school; Rochedale South State Primary and Roche dal e State High School: A case study. Unpublished M. Ed. Admin dissertation. Deakin University. Waurn Ponds. VicGoogle Scholar