It is that time of year when parents make the challenging decision about where their child will enter the second phase of schooling.
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High schools across the city are advertising its year 7 2020 enrollments and local experts have said the decision becomes the responsibility of the parent, as well as the school and student.
Lutheran Primary School's acting deputy principal Dylan Evans said there are a lot of challenges when a student transitions from primary to secondary schooling.
"There are social and emotional challenges as year 6 students are no longer the top dog, so to speak, and become a small fish in a big pond," Mr Evans said.
"Parents and schools need to prepare the students to deal with situations that might seems a bit challenging, in terms of whether they're on a bus, in a classroom or in the playground, where they might be confronted with something they haven't seen before.
"I think it's about being really clear with them and giving them strategies about what things they can do, who they can talk to and that's where the school is important: have they got set out procedures and policies in place to deal with these issues, like who people can speak with?"
Once you start talking to parents about 'choice', you start to get the labels of 'good schools' and 'bad schools'.
- Wagga Teachers Association president Michelle McKelvie
Mr Evans said while a group of students from Lutheran go onto The Riverina Anglican College, other students begin year 7 at Mater Dei and Kildare, as well as state and boarding schools.
"Because our students go off everywhere, it's about preparing and learning how to meet new people and being open and respectful to a whole range of people," he said.
"At this school we place a great emphasis on respect, compassion and empathy and I hope when students leave here, they're good people who contribute to our society.
"Things aren't perfect and it's about how you deal with it and how you get back up; there may be some disappointments, maybe with friendship, on the sporting field or in the classroom.
"We do try to encourage the notion of showing resilience and a bit of grit and determination to get back on the horse and keep going," he said.
Mr Evans said another challenge year 7 students face is the increased homework load.
"Certain schools will certainly set quite a lot of assignments in year 7 and some other schools don't," he said.
"We have a rigorous homework policy here where years 5 and 6 students are used to assignments because they have to manage their time accordingly so that they are on track to complete things."
Similarly, Wagga counsellor Clive Murphy said there are a number of factors that should be considered when choosing what the right school is for their child.
"Parents have to work with their child and the school to get the best result; it's a three-way input," Mr Murphy said.
"The school needs to satisfy both the parents and the child; parents should look at what is the reputation of the school, is their child going to be looked after and if the child does need help, like tutoring after school, is it available.
"Parents should ask the schools what they are offering for their child and then it's up to the parents to decide if the school isn't meeting something, what other options are out there."
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Mr Murphy said a lot of people pick schools where their friends are going, which can mean their child will fit in and there is "safety in numbers".
"Parents also need to find out whether the school provides the things that interest their child, for example does the school have an arts focus, or if their child excels in Maths can they be challenged," he said.
The counsellor said parents need to research about how the school handles conflict, bullying and what welfare services are provided for both the staff and students.
However, president of the Wagga Teachers Association Michelle McKelvie argued students should go to the schools they are "zoned" in.
"It is the opinion of the NSW Teachers Federation that a student attends the public school or comprehensive high school they are zoned to," Ms McKelvie said.
"So as a mother, I didn't 'choose' a primary school or high school and my children do and will continue to attend public schools to which they are zoned.
"Once you start talking to parents about 'choice', you start to get the labels of 'good schools' and 'bad schools'."
Ms McKelvie said NSW Labor Party's promise to fund schools at 100 per cent of the need for students will "go a long way to providing all schools with the resources they need for quality teaching" and learning.