Transition to High School

Starting Year 7 at Nowra High School

Starting high school is an exciting milestone for students and families. It brings new subjects, new teachers, new friendships and plenty of new opportunities.

At Nowra High School, we understand that moving from Year 6 to Year 7 can also feel like a big change. Our transition program is designed to help every student feel known, confident, connected and ready before they begin high school.

We work closely with our local primary schools, students and families throughout Year 6 to make the move to Nowra High School as positive as possible.

Find out more in the Getting Ready for High School guide.

Moving into Year 7 Guide.

Enrolling for Year 7

Enrolment for Year 7 in NSW public schools begins while your child is in Year 6.

Families can complete the Year 6 to Year 7 enrolment process online through the NSW Department of Education.

Start the Year 7 enrolment process

Our enrolment team is here to help. If you have questions about enrolling at Nowra High School, contact our school.

What can students expect?

High school is different to primary school, but students quickly become familiar with their new routines.

In Year 7, students can look forward to:

• exploring a wider range of subjects
• meeting different teachers and learning in specialist classrooms
• making new friends from a number of primary schools
• developing greater independence and responsibility
• getting involved in sport, clubs, activities and school events
• discovering new interests, strengths and opportunities.

Our transition program gives students opportunities to experience high school before their first day so that many of these changes already feel familiar.

Year 7 2027 - Important Dates

Orientation Day

Tuesday, 1 December 2026

Year 7 Information Evening

Date to be confirmed

First Day of Year 7

Wednesday, 3 February 2027

Additional transition dates and activities will be added throughout the year.

Getting to Know Your Child

One of the most important parts of our transition program happens before students arrive at Nowra High School.

We work with our partner primary schools and families to learn about our incoming students – their strengths, interests, friendships, learning needs and the things that will help them have a great start to high school.

Families may also be invited to speak with members of our Transition, Learning and Support or Wellbeing teams.

This provides an opportunity to share important information, such as:

• your child's strengths, interests and goals
• learning needs or adjustments
• medical conditions or allergies
• wellbeing or social considerations
• family circumstances that may impact their transition
• strategies that already help your child succeed at school.

The more we know about our students, the better we can prepare for their arrival.

Our Transition Program

Transition at Nowra High School is more than one orientation day.

Throughout Year 6, students have opportunities to become familiar with our school, meet staff and students, experience high school learning and build confidence about what lies ahead.

Transition activities may include:

• visits to Nowra High School
• school tours
• subject taster lessons
• family information sessions
• opportunities to meet key staff
• additional school-readiness activities
• Orientation Day
• targeted transition programs for students who may benefit from some extra time becoming familiar with high school.

Details about upcoming transition activities are shared with our partner primary schools and families through the school calendar and on the official Nowra High School Facebook page.

Supporting Every Student

Every student arrives at high school with different strengths, interests and learning needs.

Our Learning and Support Team works across the school to help students access learning, build confidence, experience challenges and reach their potential.

Support may include:

• personalised learning adjustments
• literacy and numeracy programs
• small-group learning
• in-class support
• extension and enrichment opportunities
• wellbeing and engagement support
• additional transition and school-readiness programs
• collaboration with families, primary schools and external professionals.

For students requiring additional adjustments or support, planning can begin before they start Year 7.

Learn more about Learning and Support at Nowra High School.

Getting Ready at Home

There are also some simple things families can do to help students feel ready for their first day.

Before Year 7 begins, you can:

• talk positively about starting high school
• organise school uniform, shoes, stationery and equipment
• practise travelling to and from school
• encourage your child to pack and organise their own school bag
• practise reading a high school timetable
• make sure your child knows important family and emergency contact details
• become familiar with our school bell times.

You don't need to have everything figured out before the first day. Our staff will spend time helping Year 7 students understand their timetable, find classrooms, establish routines and settle into high school life.

Ready for Year 7

Our aim is simple: when students walk through the gates for their first day of Year 7, we want them to already feel that they are part of Nowra High School.

Known. Connected. Confident. Ready.

Need Some Extra Support with Transition?

Some students benefit from a little more time and support to feel comfortable about starting high school – and that's completely okay.

If there is something you think we should know about your child, we would much rather start the conversation before their first day.

Our Learning and Support, Wellbeing and Transition teams can work with your family and primary school to develop the right transition approach for your child.