Transitioning from Primary to Secondary in a Catholic School System

The transition from primary to secondary schooling is a significant milestone as children advance in their educational journey. If your child is attending a Catholic school, there are a few things you should be aware of to ease the transition.

As the advisory and consultative body for Catholic schools in the Northern Territory, we’ve created this guide to cover the primary to secondary transition process under the Catholic school system.

Stages of Primary and Secondary Schooling in the NT

There are three stages of schooling in the Northern Territory:

• Primary years - transition from preschool to Year 6
• Middle years - Year 7 to 9 (secondary schooling)
• Senior years - Year 10 to 12 (secondary schooling) 

The Catholic school system further divides the stages of primary and secondary schooling into:

• Early Years of Learning - Early Learning Centres/Preschool
• Primary Years - Transition to Year 6
• Secondary Years - Year 7 - Year 12

Under this structure, all Catholic schools in the Northern Territory teach and assess students based on the standard Australian Curriculum (AC) and the Journey in Faith Religious Education Curriculum. 

What Parents Need to Know for the Primary to Secondary Education Transition

Primary to Secondary Transition Years

Officially, students will transition to secondary schooling (Year 7 to 12) after completing Year 6 in primary school. Students in schools that only offer education up to Year 6 will need to enrol in a new secondary school for the transition.

Each school has specific due dates for submitting enrolment forms. As a general rule, parents should start preparing for the transition from primary to secondary school at least 12 months before students begin secondary school.

How Catholic Secondary School Enrolments Work

Under the Catholic schooling system, students are not automatically granted entry into a secondary school of their choosing. Parents must complete the enrolment process with each secondary school to apply for enrolment. 

Catholic School Enrolment Policy

Catholic schools in the Northern Territory have a priority order for enrolment:

• Application form - Once this Enrolment Application Form is completed it is to be submitted to the school (timeframes may apply). In addition to the completed Enrolment Application Form other documentation will be required as indicated on the form or in the particular school’s enrolment material (such as birth certificate, baptism certificate, school reports and other relevant school records, immunisation records and health records).
• Interview - The next step will be an interview at the school with the Principal or another member of staff. At least one parent or carer, and in most circumstances the child as well, will attend the interview. It is important to realise that offers of enrolment at the school are not made at the interview. Subsequent to the interview, the school will make contact with the family to convey the decision regarding the application for enrolment.
• Orientation programs - Orientation programs for those commencing preparatory year or starting secondary school are common in our diocese. These programs, often held late in the calendar year, provide preliminary information and a sense of confidence and security for those beginning their schooling in the following January.
• Enrolment entitlement - Please note that enrolment at one of our diocesan kindergarten does not create an entitlement to enrolment into a diocesan primary school. Likewise, enrolment at one of our diocesan primary schools does not create entitlement into diocesan secondary colleges. You would need to complete a separate Enrolment Application Form for kindergartens, primary schools and secondary colleges and engage in the require enrolment process for each educational setting.
• Fee Discounts - Catholic education offers substantial fee discounts to those families that have more than one child enrolled in diocesan schools. For further information please refer to the fees and discounts on this website.

How Catholic Schools Support a Smooth Transition

The transition from primary to secondary school presents significant challenges for students, including advances in the learning curriculum and a larger student community. 

To help primary school students prepare for the transition, Year 6 educators provide a range of programs, such as informative talks about secondary school and visits to new secondary schools.

Secondary Catholic schools also provide orientation programs at the start of the year to help new students familiarise themselves with the new environment and support resources, such as student counsellors.

At Catholic Education Office Northern Territory, each Catholic school in our network focuses on providing a supportive transition between primary and secondary school for students. We are committed to providing high-quality, faith-based education at every stage of schooling, from Early Learning Years through to Secondary education. Get in touch with us for more information about learning and teaching in our network of 18 Catholic schools in the Northern Territory.