Transition to High School at Engadine High School
Building confidence, connection and readiness
At Engadine High School, we believe that a strong and supportive transition to high school lays the foundation for student success. Our transition program is comprehensive, inclusive, and highly regarded in the local community. The program is built in collaboration with our partner primary schools and is designed to meet the academic, social and wellbeing needs of all students.
We are proud of our long-standing Linkages Program, which has been in place for over twelve years and has twice received the Director-General’s Award. Our partnerships with Engadine, Engadine West, Loftus, Marton and Yarrawarrah Public Schools allow us to implement engaging, explicit teaching in literacy and numeracy, as well as creative, scientific, sporting and performing arts programs.
Linkages Days – “One Day in High School”
Year 6 students visit Engadine High School to participate in demonstration lessons taught by our high school staff. They also get to enjoy our legendary school canteen and begin making connections with students from other local schools. This experience gives students a taste of high school in a low-pressure, welcoming environment.
Enrichment Program
Identified Year 5 and 6 Gifted and Talented students are invited to weekly workshops in Term 2. These sessions immerse students in advanced topics and mini-projects across science, archaeology, literature and the humanities. The program is designed to challenge students and expand their thinking beyond the primary curriculum.
Targeted Writers’ Group
Facilitated by Mr Craig MacDonald from our English faculty, this workshop is designed for high-ability writers in Years 5 and 6. Students explore literature in depth, refine their writing and take part in advanced group discussions with like-minded peers.
Targeted Numeracy Group
This session engages students in Years 5 and 6 with rich mathematical problems and pattern-based inquiry tasks. Students are encouraged to take creative approaches to mathematics and extend their reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Band Linkages
A very popular program for Year 6 students planning to join Engadine High, this Term 4 initiative invites students to rehearse with our high school band before school and perform with them at our annual Performing Arts Night.
Dance Linkages
Year 6 students attend practical workshops during Term 3 and rehearsals in Term 4 with support from our talented Year 9 and 10 students. They develop skills in contemporary dance and perform in our Dance Showcase Evening at the end of the year.
Drama Linkages
Our Drama teachers visit primary schools in Term 4 to deliver engaging sessions in improvisation, theatre sports and performance. Students are also invited to attend a drama workshop at Engadine High to explore the basics of acting and stagecraft.
PDHPE Linkages
Select Year 6 students are invited to attend sport-specific sessions led by our expert PDHPE staff. These lessons are designed to develop physical skills and introduce students to high school sport and coaching programs.
Science Week
Usually held in August, Science Week is a hands-on experience for local primary students. Our teachers lead practical experiments either at Engadine High or directly at local schools, offering a fun and engaging introduction to science.
Transition Day
All incoming Year 7 students attend a dedicated Transition Day, which includes online testing to inform class placements and a variety of lessons and activities delivered by our high school staff. This is a key step in preparing students for their high school journey.
Orientation Day
As part of the state-wide Orientation Day, all Year 6 students enrolled at Engadine High visit the school for a full day of activities. The day includes a parent information session, uniform sales, peer support, and further demonstration lessons across key learning areas.
Additional Support for Families and Students
In Term 4, Engadine High School staff also host Parent Q&A sessions at each of our partner primary schools. This gives families a chance to ask questions, clarify information, and connect with the staff who will be supporting their child.
Our Wellbeing and Learning Support Teams liaise directly with Year 6 teachers to prepare for students with additional needs. Transition planning is highly individualised, and staff work closely with families to ensure appropriate class placement, wellbeing support, and learning adjustments are in place from day one.
Support Unit Transition Program
For students in our Support Unit, we provide a two-day tailored transition program in addition to the whole-school orientation. These sessions are designed to reduce anxiety and ease the move to high school through:
- Small group sessions focused on literacy, numeracy and life skills
- Hands-on activities in familiar spaces such as the Support classrooms, kitchen, library and art room
- Structured social interactions with current Year 7 students
- Opportunities to attend a mainstream class with support
- Teacher observations to help guide future planning and adjustments
This program is facilitated by Support Unit teachers, School Learning Support Officers and student mentors, and is designed to build confidence, friendships and familiarity with the school environment
To learn more about our Transition Program, or to speak with the Transition Coordinator, please contact Deputy Principal B. Leonard.
