Moving schools

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Children move schools for many reasons, most often with their families. Your family may be moving for a ‘sea change’, or to follow a parent's new or seasonal employment. You may be part of a culture or business that needs to be mobile, or part of a community where you need to travel for family reasons or cultural events and ceremonies. Or your family may be part of the armed forces.

Children move schools for other reasons too, including:

• to live with another family member
• to go into care
• to go to boarding school.

Nearly a third of school children move at least once in a three-year period, according to Australian research.

• Preparing your child for the move
• Before the move: some practical tips
• After the move: helping your child settle in
• Understanding the challenges

Preparing your child for the move

The best thing you can do is prepare your child for the change.

Involve your child as much as you can in the process of moving and choosing schools so she can begin to see the exciting and positive aspects of the move. She will be a lot happier if she knows that her needs are important.

• If possible, discuss the move well in advance with your child.
• Ask your child to write a list of things she would like to have in her new school and in her new location — home, neighbourhood, etc.
• Make a list of the schools in your new area and show it to your child. If appropriate, discuss each option with your child.
• Be enthusiastic about the move yourself.
• Ask your child to make a list of the things she is looking forward to about her new school.
• Ask your child to make a list of the things she is worried about. Take time to discuss each issue on the list.
• If possible, visit the new location and schools with your child.

Also, talk with your child about moving schools. Listen to your child’s concerns, see the situation through your child's eyes and let your child express negative feelings. Sharing any concerns will help you and your child adapt to the change.

Before the move: some practical tips

You might like to write a checklist of all the things you need to do as part of the move and tick them off as they’re achieved. Here are some suggestions:

• Research schools in the area you’re moving to.
• Inform the principal and teacher of the school your child is leaving.
• Request or take a collection of your child’s work to bring to the new school.
• Talk to the principal of the new school.
• Ask about strategies the new school has for helping new children adjust to the school — a buddy system, for example.
• If your child has special needs, talk to the new school about its facilities. If you’re moving interstate, your child’s abilities and eligibility for assistance may need to be re-assessed.
• Make a scrapbook of people, activities and memories from the old school.
• Make a contact list of friends from your child’s old school and neighbourhood.
• Plan a farewell party.
• Donate the old uniform to the school.
• Buy the new uniform and books if needed.
• Walk around the grounds and buildings of the new school with your child so she knows at least where the things important to her are located.
• Talk to your new neighbours - perhaps your child can meet some class mates before the first day at school.

After the move: helping your child settle in

Involve yourself as much as you can in your child’s new school to help her feel more comfortable with her new experiences. Once you have relocated, you could make some time to help your child settle in — here are some ideas:

• Meet with the new principal and teacher.
• Set up a review meeting, even within the first week or two, to see how things are going.
• Get a copy of the weekly timetable so you all know what’s happening!
• Make sure your child knows about transport arrangements eg where you will pick her up and drop her off, or where the buses stop.
• Check out food/tuckshop arrangements.

Understanding the challenges

Moving can be a very positive experience for the child and the family. But changing schools — whether it’s between suburbs, cities, states or even countries — presents several challenges, such as the following:

• The curriculum can differ from state to state, even from school to school.
• A student could end up repeating topics already learnt.
• A language other than English might be used at the new school.
• A child's individual needs may not be identified quickly.
• Friendships left behind may not be replaced so easily.

It’s important to remember children are very adaptable and most of them will manage moving to a new school quite happily. However, parents need to be aware of how their children are feeling about the move and be ready to help them in any way they can.

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