Good transitions: through the eyes of primary and secondary principals

Tony Vinson\u27s paper aims to advance discussion about ways of helping young people to make a good beginning to secondary schooling, relying heavily on the perceptions primary and secondary principals. "At any time of life, a change of the magnitude of moving from primary school to high school would cause significant disruption; during early adolescence this is exacerbated by the developmental challenges the young people face. Moving from primary to secondary school is less well recognised as a transition of significance. Yet research amply demonstrates the challenges it poses for young adolescents. Students face physical and social dislocation and a new learning program.  I am not going to canvass those challenges on this occasion. That topic has received its share of attention in recent years. Rather, I want to advance discussion about ways of helping young people to make a good beginning to secondary schooling. I will be relying heavily but appropriately on the perceptions of those upon whom we ultimately rely for the effective management of our schools: our primary and secondary principals.