The Years 5/6 teachers from UPS have been working closely with several staff from Glenunga International High School in recent weeks. We spent time discussing the similarities and differences we have in teaching, and we shared strategies and classroom practices that could be useful for Year 7 teachers to know. Teachers from both schools had the opportunity to share curriculum resources and assessment tasks. We discussed ways to provide improved continuity of learning for students as they transition from primary to secondary schooling.

Teachers from Glenunga International High school observed all the Years 5/6 teachers teaching in their classrooms and then met with us to review the learning we had shared. We spoke of change, and talked about what we can do to prepare our Year 6 students for next year and what high schools can do to make transition easier for young adolescents.

As a follow-up to these visits, all our Year 6 students were invited to visit Glenunga International High School during Science Week for an immersion session in the school’s new Science labs. This gave students a feeling of what high school could be like. They had the chance to enjoy engaging, well-organised Science activities and also had the opportunity to spend recess with Year 7 students who had come to Unley Primary School previously. Our students enjoyed these experiences and many fun conversations were had by all.