The beginning of the school year in August welcomes many new faces of S1 students at St Aidan’s. Over the past few weeks, the pupils have been settling into their new classes, meeting their teachers, and getting to know each other. However, transitions can be hard for people especially children going into a new environment.
We asked a group of first-year students their perspective on how their transition from primary to secondary school has been. Here are some of their thoughts.
Bethany Chalmers thinks that one of the best things about first year so far is that “you’re allowed to finish earlier at 2:55 on some days” Some first years found it difficult with the longer hours but are adjusting to having to be quicker to get home so they get to their training on time.
When Lucy Smith was also asked what the best thing about first year was so far, she answered, “The subjects. PE is my favourite subject and I like the trampolining,” Johnny Pell agreed and added that, “I liked it at primary but its better here,”
Sophie Marshall commented that one of the best things about first year is that “you’re allowed to use your phone, in primary school, you weren’t allowed to use them at all, you can also text your friends if you’re lost”.
Getting lost can be easy in a big school especially one you’re not used to. However, the peer advocate class, a group of 6th-year pupils, have been helping. When asked how they helped the first years said “The school gave us 6th years to take us around our classes. We got to know the basics of getting around the school. It took the pressure off them for being late” High school can be a scary place especially when you don’t know where you’re going. All the first years agreed it helped them and put them at ease.
Teigan O’Donnell mentioned that a big change from primary to secondary school is “being split from your friends in some classes” However as Ciaran McGuire said one of the best things about first year is “getting to meet new people,” One of the ways they are able to do this is through clubs and activities in school.
St Aidan’s does its best to offer a wide range of activities and clubs. It can help pupils meet new people and give them somewhere to go. The school library is also a popular choice for the first years. Ciaran McGuire said “I like coming to the library and just relaxing. I like the computers and the couches,” When asked about the activities Johnny Pell said “I go to the basketball. I like the PE clubs.”
The group of six stated that teachers such as Mr. McCrory, Miss Mohammed, Mrs. Large, and Mr. Wedlock have been helpful. The first years are also able to ask their peer advocates assigned to their classes any questions they have.
The six of them also expressed their excitement to make their way further up the school to get study periods, going on study leave, and going out of the school for lunch. They also look forward to taking part in more practical subjects such as hairdressing and currently are “looking forward to finishing our hangers in tech”. Science is also a favourite due to the experiments which allows them to learn hands-on and understand things better.
Mrs Fagan, the head of S1 commented she’s “looking forward to finding out all about them, when children first come into first year they don’t know what they’re good at, so we encourage them to go to extracurricular clubs such as sports, art, music or drama because it helps them find out what they’re good at which boosts their confidence and self-esteem and it makes them a much stronger individual”
St Aidan’s does its best to make the transition as smooth as possible for new first years. The most important thing is that they settle in so they can enjoy high school. We asked if they thought they were finally settled in and they said “Yes. It’s basically primary school but harder. It isn’t a massive change,” As a school, we are glad they’re settling in and look forward to the first years beginning their journey through secondary school and wish them all the best of luck.
