Dear pupil in year 4,

I am a pupil in year 5 at Marden Bridge Middle School. I wanted to write to you to tell you not to worry about moving up to middle school.

When I came to Marden I walked to school on my own because none of my friends lived near me. It was fine, and I enjoy the freedom and responsibility. The things I was worried about were being around so many other children I didn’t know.

On the first day I was really nervous because it was a huge change and I didn't know what would happen. At first I didn’t play with anyone but my friends from first school. After the first week or so I started to make new friends and now I have lots of new friends.

When I came to Marden I started to get a bit more excited because I was making new friends, doing fun stuff and joining some clubs.

Some advice I would give, is to not worry about anything at all because if you need some help the teachers are all really nice.

Welcome to Marden Bridge!

Best wishes,

A pupil in 5MD (ex Marine Park)

Dear Pupil in Year 4,

I am a pupil in year 5 at Marden Bridge Middle School and I wanted to write to you to tell you what it’s like moving up to our school and to make you feel more confident.

When I was moving up, I had two friends from first school but if you don’t, you’re guaranteed to make one. I was most worried about who my class was going to be and the teacher I was going to have, I’m lucky because I got my favourite one.

On the first Day of MBMS, I was excited because it was going to be the day where I get to see my friends and walk to school by myself. It was really fun at the start because we got to play games and got to know the teachers and stuff. At lunchtime, I played football on the astro and it was AMAZING!!!!

The sports at this school are the best, the first club I went to was the football club.

You guys have got to come here especially if you like sports!!!

Welcome to Marden Bridge!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!

A pupil in 5MD (ex Marine Park)

Dear year 4 pupil,

Welcome to Marden Bridge!

Even though it is scary moving into year 5 (and I was scared a lot) when you get used to it is like “wow! I am gonna have so much fun here and make new friends and it is really fun there are loads a things to do.”

It is a really scary idea at first but it gets easier. The first day I didn't say anything or do anything because I was really scared. My teacher helped me feel better and talked to me and I made friends so you will make new friends. Just be yourself!

Marden is a lovely and kind school and fun. Everyone is nice. When we were allowed out I would see my friends that separated from me going to a different school at the weekend.

If you come by yourself because your friends went somewhere else don't worry you will make friends just ask and see.

Have a brilliant time!

Pupil in 5FL (ex Marine Park)

To person in year 4,

I am a pupil at Marden Bridge Middle School. I am going to tell you that there is no reason to be scared about coming to middle school.

On the first day of school you will play lots of games to get to know each other so you know everyone's name. After a couple of days you will be split into different classes for Maths and English but you will stay with your form class the rest of the time.

There are a wide range of clubs to join after school including football, hockey, athletics and lots of others. You meet loads of new people and make lots of new friends. At lunchtime, there is different equipment to play with like skipping ropes, tennis rackets and hula hoops.

There is nothing to be concerned or worried about because it's a good school. You will make lots of new friends and see new people. There are loads of teachers if you ever need help.

From a pupil in 5MD (ex Marine Park)

Dear Year 4 Pupil,

Hi, I am a year 5 student, and I am writing this to tell you there is nothing to worry about when moving up to middle school. When I moved up I was quite nervous but the teachers were really nice and we played games to get to know each other.

During lunchtime there is lots of equipment to play with like hula hoops, skipping ropes and balls. To help with the timetable, every student each gets a planner, which you put homework in plus,in the back it has a whiteboard and a timetable for each day. During the first couple of weeks, there were some really kind year seven pupils that took us around the school to our lessons.

It doesn’t take long to get to know the people in your class and all of your teachers too. Whilst it is good to stay friends with the people from your old school, it is nice to make new friends so you have even more people to play with.

After a half term of settling in, we start the after school clubs. There are many to choose from and help us make new friends. The activities include, netball, art, computer club, football and bracelet making club. Not all of them are after school, some of them are during lunchtime which anyone can participate in.

It can be scary starting a new school with new people and new lesson times, but it is a great opportunity to make some new friends and try out some new activities.

Welcome to Marden Bridge!!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

A year 5 student (ex Marine Park)

Dear Year 4 pupil,

I am a pupil in year 5 who goes to Marden Bridge Middle School. I want to tell you what Middle School is like in case you’re worried about the move up.

When I moved up I was worried that I wouldn’t be in the same class as my other friends who were going to Marden. I ended up in the same class as all the people I put down and I made new friends fast.

I was excited about having a timetable because at first school we never used to have one and you had to guess what came next. I was also excited about having lots of teachers as at first school we only had one.

On the first day we got to know each other because we played lots of name games. We got introduced to our class mascots. Ours was Simba. At lunchtimes we were allowed in the library and it had lots of good books like Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Also at lunchtime we had skipping ropes and hula hoops out. I played limbo and long rope with my friends. In the afternoon we got sorted into our Maths and English classes. All the teachers were very friendly.

I hope you are not too worried about the big move and I can’t wait to see you at Marden!

Pupil in 5AGr (ex Marine Park)

Dear year 4 pupil,

I'm a pupil in year 5, and I want to talk to you about moving to middle school. I know how you may be feeling, moving is hard and you may want to stay where you are. I was very nervous and wanted to stay in year 4, but really moving to middle school is a great opportunity, you will meet lots of new people and you will still see and have classes with your old friends too.

Everyone is given a warm welcome, and you will feel at home straight away.

If you're feeling a bit anxious about not seeing your friends then don't worry, if you're not in a class with them, then you can always see them in the corridors, lunch and break.

If you don't think about too much you will realize that everything will be OK. Everyone is looking forward to meeting you, so just calm down and look forward to it. Think about it like it's just another adventure, but you'll be with friends.

Welcome to Marden Bridge,

A year 5 pupil (ex Marine Park)

Dear Year 4 Pupil,

I am a pupil in year 5 at Marden Bridge Middle School and I want to let you know what it is like moving from first school to middle school.

When I was your age, I went to Marine Park First School, and I thought they really helped me, and everyone got through any worries that anyone had. Also, i don’t think that there is anything major to worry about. All of the teachers are nice and friendly, and show that they understand the difficulties of transition.

Buddy System

Everyone puts a lot of effort in, to make sure that everyone has a fun, and varied day.

For the first 2 weeks, some year 7 children volunteer to help out, which is very nice of them. The only difficulty for me was as it is a big school, it can be hard to find your way around. This problem is solved, though, because the year 7 buddies direct you to wherever you need to go.

What is the best thing about Transition?

I think that the best thing about transition is that you get to meet new people. You might not think that now, but the process of getting to know people can actually be fun! The reason why I think this is because once you have made new friends,(usually in year 5) you can stay with the people that you like to be around, for about 4 years!

My advice to you

The best advice I can give you from my experience in year 5, is to show respect to other people and you will get the respect back. By doing this, it means that you will enjoy your time at Middle School, and to me, that is one of the most important things in life.

Remember, if you need anyone or anything; just ask :)

From a Year 5 pupil 5CF (ex Marine Park)

Dear pupil in year 4,

I am a pupil in 5CC at Marden Bridge Middle School and I wanted to write to you to tell you what moving up to middle school is like and to make you feel better if you are feeling a bit worried.

I was quite nervous when I went to middle school because I didn’t know what it was like because I didn’t have an older sibling but most of my other friends did. Another thing that was worrying me was if I got lost or if I might have not made any new friends.

On the first day, I was quite nervous and shy around people that I didn’t know but my replacement teacher ( because my actual teacher was on a school trip ) was still kind to me and helped me get back up on my feet again. We played a “get to know you” game so I knew a few people's names in my class.

At lunch time, there was some equipment for everyone to play with during break and I even played some things with people from different schools! Also, I joined some of the fantastic clubs at school. Now, I have lots of friends!

My advice is that if you are worried and if your friends are in a different class to you, you can always still play with them but you will always have opportunities to make new friends.

Welcome to Marden Bridge!

From a pupil in year 5 (ex Marine Park)

Dear Year 4 Pupil,

Hi I’m in year 5 at Marden Bridge Middle School (I love it) and I want to write to you to tell you how moving up to middle school was like for me and this will hopefully calm some nerves you may have about transferring.

Making friends:

When I was in Year 4 I was scared that I wouldn't make many friends at all but once you are in your form room ( you will know people in there) the teacher will have set up some fun little tasks for you to do to get to know each other and by the end of the week you will have made a friend or two.

The school is really big:

In the first 2 to 3 weeks your form class is given to six Year 8 pupils who take you to each lesson so you can get to know the way around the school and then comes the exciting part; walking to each lesson with your friends (new found ones as well).

Are the Teachers nice?

Why would you worry about that? All of the teachers are lovely but if you do something naughty, rude or cheeky they will tell you off, but don’t all teachers! The only difference from First School is detention, but these are really rare and only in serious cases (the Teachers will explain that incase the system changes).

Too much work to handle:

There are five one hour lessons each day and a fifteen minute break in the morning and lunch break (so if you're from Marine Park that is one less break). Just remember “Quality over Quantity” in all of the work you produce; all the teachers want is for you to do your best.

Year 5 has been a fun and exciting experience and I have loved every second of it and I’m confident that you will too.

A year 5 student (ex Marine Park)