School counsellors from the Pembroke family of schools -- Victor Scott Primary, West Pembroke Primary and Northlands Primary have taken on the task of preparing their primary six students for the middle school experience.

Students from these schools are set to filter into Dellwood Middle School in September where they, like many other kids at this stage, will be forced to assume more responsibility.

To encourage a smooth transition, their counsellors decided to have various activities to introduce the students to their new school and spark conversation about their fears and concerns.

In April the counsellors of these schools organised a teachers' classroom presentation and introduction of Dellwood counsellors for each year six class.

They also discussed what middle school is all about -- expectations and concerns.

Counsellors also took small groups of students from each school on tours of Dellwood.

"This was an initiative planned by the primary school counsellors who felt it would be beneficial for these children to be exposed to middle school to alleviate any anxieties about moving on to a new school setting,'' Victor Scott Primary school counsellor Marilynn Smith said.

She added: "This sort of thing should happen all over the Island to prepare kids. Our schools are considered the family of schools to enter Dellwood.

Therefore we feel that we should be working closely to make this a positive experience.'' Mrs. Smith also said: "You need to be able to have a dialogue with the students and their parents to prepare them for the change they will experience. There are social and emotional changes at this stage of these kids' development and with all the energy and excitement they have we need to help them with whatever challenges they will experience.

"So often in primary school the setting is more nurturing but now these children must be able to assume more responsibility because they no longer have one teacher, they have several and the physical layout of the school is different.'' Mrs. Smith said the tour of Dellwood was done over a three-day period so they could take small groups from each school.

"The children have become more excited at the prospect of going to Dellwood and the school's counsellors have done a tremendous job explaining what will come and what will be because right now the school is under major renovation so the students had to really visualise.

"The teachers here are committed and devoted and they exude excitement. They have helped us to be visionary and the projection they have given is very positive.'' A parental orientation will take place on May 14 at Dellwood where parents will meet with Dellwood's principal Carol Bassett and other teachers.

"The parents will get a tour at the end of the month and we will also have our final activity which we are calling a lock-in.

"This event, which will be held on Friday, May 29 was organised by PRIDE and will be held at the Salvation Army building across from Dellwood,'' Mrs. Smith said.

She added: "This will be an opportunity for children to continue to have a dialogue and make friendships and become familiar with the students going to Dellwood from the other schools.

"Topics discussed will be relative to what their developmental issues and concerns are. We have planned for this to be an uninterrupted period of time from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to make sure a relationship between counsellors and students and students with other students is built.

"Students will be able to relax and have a social and learning experience. We have also invited speakers and parents are also encouraged to attend. There will be a separate area for them.'' Mrs. Smith continued: "We have made an effort to provide our students with a sense of closure for their primary school experience with a look to a bright future at middle school.'' TAKING THE NEXT STEP -- Students from Victor Scott Primary, West Pembroke Primary and Northlands Primary tour Dellwood Middle School where they will be attending in September. Showing them around is Dellwood Middle School counsellor Donna Mae Postlewaite.