change; school; friend; making friends; teacher; moving ;
|Changing school can be a scary time for you. You might feel excited about new things to see and learn, but a bit scared about having to get to know new teachers and make new friends. You will probably also be sad about the friends and places you had to leave behind.
Children change schools for many reasons
- Maybe your family has moved to another part of your town.
- Maybe your family has moved to another town.
- Your parents might have split up and you have moved away with mum or dad.
- You may have gone to live in another country (that could be really scary, especially if they speak a different language from you).
- Maybe you didn't get on at your first school and you are making a new start at a new school.
- Maybe you're going to go to high school.
Whatever reasons there are for your changing school, this can be a stressful time.
children said about changing schools
||"The scariest thing about changing schools is not knowing anyone." |
"There could be a subject where you don't know what to do and everyone else does."
"When I came here from Germany I didn't know anyone. It was like walking into a stranger's house. When I came here I didn't know English."
"I remember when I changed schools from Ireland to Australia, I was really scared on my first day. I did not know anyone at all. I still remember it."
"When my mum went to Africa I had to change to another school because I stayed with my Auntie. I was very lonely."
"I didn't like changing schools because I had to move away from all my friends."
"When I went to a new school, my sister went too. As the first days went by I got to know things around the school better as well as the people."
"I felt like I was lost when I went to my new school."
"I looked up the school's website and found out all about it before I went."
"Mum and I visited the school for a look around, and I met the teacher and knew where the classroom was before I started at the school."
in a new school
Look at the topic on Making friends for some ideas which may help.
Some of the children had some good ideas too.
- "Be nice to everyone."
- "Talk to people and make them laugh."
- "Ask to play with people."
- "Help people in the classroom and in the playground."
- "Be your own friend, care for yourself and stand up for yourself."
- "When you have a nice friend always play with them."
- "I feel really shy when I am meeting new friends. I say "hello" then they say "hello" back and then I keep talking so that they won't think I'm shy."
- "It's easy if you just get to know one person. It's hard to go into a big group."
- "If you feel lonely or you want to make some friends the worst thing to do is to keep to yourself or be shy because then people will probably not notice you.
- "The best thing to do is to answer questions and make suggestions in class and be a happy person to have around, then people might want to be your friend."
- "Smile at people and they will want to be your friend."
- "Don't try to show off; just be yourself."
Changing schools is not easy and you will feel a bit strange at first, but just go slowly getting to know people, and join in groups or clubs inside and outside school.
If you don't understand all the work, tell your teacher that you learnt different things at your other school.
Your teacher and the other kids will help you if you ask - and it's a good way to get to know others.
Talk with your parents or carers and ask them to help you make friends by coming to the school, finding out about clubs and activities that other kids in the area belong to, and getting to know other parents in your area.
They will probably be feeling a bit lonely too.
Changing schools can be a bit scary but it can be exciting. It's always a good idea to think about what you want when you are starting something new.
Remember that you get to make a fresh start. If you had a few problems at your last school, you can leave them behind. You can get a new start at a new school!
Our topic 'Getting clever' may give you some ideas about giving yourself the best chance to do well at your new school.
Kiki and her sister Meg
Didn't want to go.
But the house was falling down
The cracks were starting to show.
Her parents said,
"This house is old
And we want a change."
So Meg and Kiki's whole lives
Had to be rearranged.
They packed their bags and shed a tear
For the good friends they would miss.
All of their friends said they'd never seen
Such a beautiful house as this.
||The moving van drove away, |
With all the chairs and beds
After all that packing and saying goodbye
It was time to rest their heads.
They drove up to their new house.
It was new and neat and clean.
And when they looked inside it,
No cracks were to be seen.
They saw their brand new bedrooms
And thought them rather cool.
This was fun but on Monday
They'd have to start their new school.
|They walked into the office.
Met the Principal Mr Cooks.
Went to see their new teacher,
Who gave them new work-books.
All of the other children stared,
When they walked into the room.
Which made the girls' hearts flutter
And filled them full of gloom.
But the kids were very friendly
Although a little wary.
And Meg and Ki enjoyed it
(Although it was a bit scary.)
So, take a tip from Ki and Meg.
Moving schools can be fun
To get a friend, you have to be a friend
And that's the way it's done.
We've provided this information to help you to understand important things about staying healthy and happy. However, if you feel sick or unhappy, it is important to tell your mum or dad, a teacher or another grown-up.