Helping your child learn - age 10-15 years

Learning for 10-15 years | What they learn | Helping your child learn | About stages of learning 

The focus of support in middle years of school is founded on the development of literacy and numeracy skills:

• Supporting your child's learning
• Supporting Parents 
• Numeracy
• National Numeracy and Literacy Week

Support in high school

The NSW Public Schools website Going to high school provides information to help your child make a positive start to high school including:

• Ten Tips to help prepare students for high school
• Starting Year 7 explains in general how high school is organised
• Understanding the timetable explains the details of the day to day organisation of classes
• Fact sheets offering a range of tips and hints to help you prepare your child for high school.

Gifted and talented

Gifted and talented students are found in all communities. The Gifted and Talented Education website provides advice to parents and carers on the needs and characteristics of gifted and talented children and the provisions for them in government schools.

Research skills

In high school your child will also have to learn how to use time effectively and to balance various commitments. Students in the middle years need help with research skills including finding, evaluating, communicating and reflecting on information. Helping with online research offers a guide to these skills.

Homework

Homework reinforces work done at school and helps develop skills such as research and time management. Parents and carers have the opportunity to help their child through a positive and supportive approach to homework. Some homework tips include:

• setting a regular time and a quiet place for homework
• planning the work to be done and the time to be spent on each task
• taking short breaks between homework tasks
• praising your child for their efforts, not just their results
• if problems occur, talk to your child's teacher.

Study

Study is more than just doing homework. Your child's study techniques can be improved by following these tips. Remember if problems occur or you have any questions about your child's learning, contact the school and arrange to talk with your child's teachers.

Helping with the School Certificate

Tests and exams are a regular part of the school environment. The NSW Public Schools website offers exam tips that can help to make tests less threatening for your child. You may also wish to find out more about the Computing Skills Assessment tests completed by Year 10 students.

Remember if you have any questions about the School Certificate or other aspects of your child's learning, contact your child's school and arrange to talk with your child's teachers.