Starting a new school or transitioning into a new year group is an exciting time providing opportunity, adventure, and growth, but it can also be a little daunting.

It takes such courage and vulnerable in times of change and transition and we do need to dare greatly in these times. 

Understanding the Theory Of Transition as a Parent or Student can be an excellent way to support an individuals Transition journey.

The transition cycle (Pollock and Van Reken, 2009 ) demonstrates the theory of change as anyone moves from a place of being settled (current school) to unsettled (a new and unfamiliar school).

Elizabeth Gilles is an Educational Psychologist and a previous WHS parent, has a breadth and depth of both personal and professional experience with Transition. In the article below, she writes about models to help children deal with unexpected forks in the road: 

RAFT Model:

In particular the tool of building a RAFT and the reflective questions can be particularly useful during transitions and change.  

Please see extract below from Elizabeth's article above:

The RAFT model from Pollock and Van Reken (5) is a comprehensive strategy that encourages skills and processes that ensure a good goodbye and help anticipate future needs to say a good hello. Three of the four components of RAFT are concerned with dealing with loss. Our current endings in school don’t easily address this issue.

Reconciliation, either individually or between people, can help to resolve any difficulties at the time when it is meaningful. Being able to show Affirmation values others who have helped you. Farewells acknowledge the end and act as a rite of passage to bring closure. Consider goodbye to place and possessions as well as people. Think destination focuses our attention on the future opportunities and challenges that lay ahead.

• Do I need to repair any relationship before I move on?
• Are there things in myself that I need to think and alter to be successful in my new place?
• Who and what am I grateful for?
• What and who am I going to miss?

• How am I going to look after myself during the transition?

Elizabeth also has a fantastic Podcast on Transition which I could not recommend more: