All about change

A Primary 7 Resilience toolkit

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Primary 7 we know that the transition from Primary to Secondary School is a massive event in your life and everyone is so sorry that this year you will not get the same experience as other years have.

There will be no final school sports day, prize day, school trip, leavers assembly etc but know that everyone shares in your upset and disappointment.

You have had to adapt so much in the past few weeks due to Covid 19 and we are all so proud of how well you are all adapting. I was looking forward to being in your class this term to deliver Women’s Aid ABCLN’S All about change programme but unfortunately I can no longer do so.

It is clear that you have all had to build so much resilience recently and this will benefit you so much in the years to come.

I hope this little toolkit that I have put together will help you prepare for your Transition.

Stay Safe

The Make it Better Team.

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What things can change in our lives?

Throughout our lives we will live through many changes. Some will be positive changes that we look forward to and some may be changes that are not so positive. Common changes include:

Moving house The loss of a loved one or pet A new baby Moving school Families splitting up A new teacher

These changes may make us feel many different emotions at the same time. Some common emotions that we might feel about change are:

*Sad * annoyed * happy * good*Lonely * confused * excited * can’t wait*Scared * bad * super * great*Anxious * stressed * delighted * motivated

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Ways to manage the big emotions that come with

changeThere are many strategies that we can use to manage our emotions. We could try…*playing sports *singing/dancing *listening to music

* meditation * go for a walk or run * fidget toy

* scribble on a page * talk to someone * breathing

*draw/colour * feelings journal *gratitude list

You can make your own calm down booklet on the next page to help you manage your emotions. Fold the page in half vertically so the word calm is at the front (like a card) then cut a horizontal line below each letter. This will give you a flap for each letter. On the inside write four activities that help you calm down. When it is complete you should be able to see one of your strategies when you lift each letter flap up. Once you are finished colour the outside.

If you would like to try some breathing exercises I recommend going to Rainbow breath by go noodle on you tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O29e4rRMrV4

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Starting Secondary School

You will all be starting secondary school in September. Some of you may be excited, some might be nervous and some might be afraid but regardless how you are feeling there will be someone else in your new school that feels the same way that you do.

You might be going to the same school as your friends or you may be the only person going from your primary school. You could be going to your first choice school or perhaps you aren’t going to the school that you hoped to be going to but it is important to remember that change is always happening and that it is necessary to grow and learn.

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Similarities and differences between Primary and Secondary

schoolPrimary

The same teacher all day, every day. Smaller number of pupils Less subjects Smaller building Homework every day for the next day You know everyone in your school You stay in the same classroom for most of the day

Secondary Registration period every morning with form teacher. Larger classes. Change classrooms and teachers every period or subject. You can learn a foreign language Larger building/buildings Longer day

Both Packed lunch or school dinner. Bus to school or walk to school School holidays School uniform

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Hopes and fears for starting Secondary school

You may have mixed emotions about moving to secondary school. Although you might feel a little bit nervous it’s also an exciting time! Many people are worried about leaving behind their old school friends and not knowing anyone in their new school. There will be lots of opportunities to make new friends and find people who have the same hobbies or likes as you.

Plus, you’ll still be able to keep in touch with your old friends and meet up with them outside of school.

Check out the BBC bitesize clip below to hear how other children have felt starting Secondary school.https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/znc9dxs

Below are some worries and solutions for you to keep to help you adjust to Secondary School.

I don’t understand something in class Put your hand up and ask for help.

Look carefully at the task again

Try to start the task.

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Ask another pupil for help.

I can’t find my class Look at a map Look for a signpost. Ask a teacher nearby Ask at the school office. Ask another pupil.

I’m late for school Go to the school office and tell them you have arrived.

Check your timetable and the time and go to the correct class.

I forgot my homework Tell the class teacher as soon as you arrive in class.

Tell the teacher you will bring it next time.

Make a note of it in your homework diary.

Use your diary to write down homework deadlines.

Someone is being unkind Keep calm. Tell them to stop. Walk away. Report it to a nearby

adult. Report it to the school

office.

I forgot my pencil case Ask a teacher to borrow a pencil.

Ask a friend to borrow a pencil

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I forgot my lunch Go to the school office and tell them you have forgot it.

Ask to borrow some money for lunch.

I miss my bus Let a family member know you have missed the bus.

Go back to your school to phone home.

Get the next bus.

I feel sick Tell your class teacher. Go to the school office. Go to the school nurse.

Be Yourself

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A lot of people feel nervous when they first go to secondary school and wonder if they will fit in and make new friends.

You may be the only person from your school or you may not be in the same class as your friends but this can be an adventure getting to know new people.

You may be disappointed if you didn’t get your first choice school or are going to a different school to your friends but you will soon settle in.

Here is some advice about fitting in.https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/articles/zf2dqhv

Now complete the worksheet below

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Be true to you…

The most important thing to remember when meeting new people and trying to fit in is to be true to yourself. You should never have to compromise your feelings, beliefs or who you truly are to be accepted by others

To be true to yourself takes courage. It requires you to be honest, open-minded and fair. It does not mean that you are selfish or disrespectful of others. It means that you will not let others define you or make decisions for you that you should make for yourself.

Why is being true to yourself important? You could discuss this with the adult that cares for you and write below.

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School Memories

You may have a lot of memories about your time in Primary School. Think about the following…

What will you miss the most about your school?

Which people will you miss the most?

What memory of school will you take with you to your next school?

Perhaps you could email your teacher your answers and she could put together a memories of Primary School to share on the school website or app.

You can also complete the friendship sheet on the next page.

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As you are nearing the end of your Primary education there may have been adults in the School that have helped you along the way or that you have special memories.

It would be nice to make them a thank you card to tell them why you are glad that they have been part of your Primary Journey. Take a picture of yourself with the card and email the picture to your teacher. You could also post your card to your school and they will make sure the staff member gets it.

For your last activity I would like you to reflect on your time in Primary School and complete the worksheet on the next page (one is for a boy and one is for a girl).

Enjoy your Summer, I wish you the best of luck in your Secondary school and remember you’ve got this!!

One last video clip for you to watchhttps://youtu.be/fZsCg4mz364

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My Time in Primary School

My best memory…

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One word to describe last year is…

My Time in Primary School

My best memory…

I am proud of…

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