Tip 1: Plan the first week

A positive first week will help your daughter feel confident that she can manage the many
moving parts of her new daily routine. Being prepared in advance can help feelings of
overwhelm, and therefore it is helpful to make time to discuss the nitty gritty of the first
weeks (transport arrangements, pick and drop off points, uniform requirements and
resumption of activities etc.) Ensuring that they feel in control and understand some of
the simple things in their routine will help them to feel more confident about tackling all
the new stuff.

Tip 2: Be sure you can access Maple

Strathcona’s Learning Management System is called Maple. As we begin the year, it
replaces the Parent Portal you have been accessing since your daughter’s enrollment.
Your ability to navigate around Maple is essential for both you and your daughter as it is
where all key information regarding Strathcona is communicated. Within the first few
weeks, your daughter will have support to learn how to use Maple and it would be helpful
for you to sit with your daughter in the first weeks and explore Maple together. You will
be able to review her timetable and key news items, and this supports her organisation
and preparedness for the day as she settles into the Strathcona routine.
We are offering a Maple Parent Workshop on Tuesday February 21 at 6:30pm (more
details to follow) to help parents with the functionality of this platform. If you are having
trouble connecting to Maple, please email parentassist@strathcona.vic.edu.au

Tip 3: Managing expectations and emotions

Every student coming into Year 7 at Strathcona will have a different idea of what they
‘want’ it to be like and what it ‘should’ be like. Before the first day and at regular periods
throughout the first term, support your daughter by talking about expectations and how
to manage their emotions. All students feel overwhelmed, excited, nervous, lonely,
scared, happy and uncomfortable during their transition to Year 7 and it is enormously
helpful for parents to normalise these feelings by talking about them. Helping your
daughter to develop strategies for dealing with feelings of discomfort as they navigate
new things and foster independence is a key part of their ability to be successful in
secondary school.

Tip 4: Asking for help

There is always someone at Strathcona who will be able to help with both big and small
questions which will make your daughter’s transition run smoothly. Encourage your
daughters to connect with their teachers early on – their relationship and yours with the
staff are very important. Ms Woods, Year 7 Coordinator, our Year 7 Wellbeing Teachers,
Mrs Hay, Mr Carrick, Ms Turner and Ms Kenwright as well as your daughter’s subject
teachers will be working very hard to support your daughter’s transition and are always
on hand to help. 

We are really looking forward to walking alongside you with your daughter
as they begin their Strathy journey.

Amber Sowden, Dean of Students.