Helping with the transition to high school

Preparation as Year 6 students transition to Year 7

The step up from Junior School to Senior School is one filled with excitement, curiosity and a touch of nervousness. Moving from Year 6 to Year 7 brings new challenges – greater independence, personal responsibility and time management skills, all essential for thriving in Senior School. The team at Dulwich College (Singapore) acknowledges how daunting these changes can feel. That’s why they make an early start to the transition process. Here’s how the high school eases this new phase of student life with student and peer support.

Early preparation and peer support

In Year 6, students begin engaging in collaborative activities with the Senior School. The aim of these interactions is to forge connections that ease the emotional and logistical aspects of the move, helping students feel part of a bigger community before they arrive.

Junior School also introduces routines that mirror Senior School student life, such as specialist teaching and moving from classroom to classroom. This gradual acclimatisation means students don’t face a sudden shock. Instead, they can step confidently into familiar systems.

Curriculum alignment is another cornerstone of the preparation at the College. Teachers intentionally raise expectations and incorporate Senior School language into lessons, ensuring academic continuity and readiness for the rigour ahead.

The school says that peer support also plays a vital role. For example, Year 7 students share their own experiences with Year 6 pupils, answering questions ranging from practical concerns like locker use, to emotional ones like staying connected to friends. Senior School student leaders also join these conversations, reinforcing unity and showing younger pupils that they’re not alone in this journey.

Settling in to Year 7 student life

During their first weeks in Senior School, Year 7 students are wrapped in layers of student support to ease their adjustment. To reduce the stress of navigating a larger campus, for instance, students leave classes and lunch five minutes early for the first month. This simple measure builds confidence in their new environment.

Homework is paused for the first two weeks, too, giving students time to adapt without extra pressure. The Heads of Lower Senior School and Year 7 conduct daily classroom check-ins to monitor wellbeing. Behind the scenes, Junior and Senior School teams maintain close communication to ensure every child is settling well. The Head of Year 7 remains a constant presence throughout the year.

Parents are also invited to campus more frequently during the transition period, creating a sense of comfort and community for everyone involved.

Students come first

According to the College, this transition isn’t just about academics; it’s about nurturing resilience, independence and a love of learning. Combining early preparation, strong peer support and connections, and unwavering pastoral care ensures every child can move forward with confidence and excitement for what lies ahead.

Hear from the team:

“A successful transition is about creating a bridge that feels secure enough for students to cross with confidence, yet exciting enough that they’re eager to explore what’s on the other side. We have robust systems to truly understand each child before they join Senior School, allowing us to provide tailored student support from day one.”
– Frederic Nevers, Deputy Head of Senior School (Lower)

“I hope that every Year 6 student feels excited, confident and ready when they step into Year 7 for the first time. Most of all, I want them to feel supported and happy about this new chapter.”
– Joanna Patman, Head of Year 6

Dulwich College (Singapore) is at 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8.
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org

This article on the transition from junior to high school first appeared in Expat Living magazine, January 2026. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription; there’s also a digital version that you can read for free now.

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