JOEL: Hi, I'm Joel. Have you noticed how parents just love lists?

ZOE: Do my homework, feed the cat, clean up my room, eat a healthy snack, go to training. Actually, good thing I have a list to remember all this stuff. Hi, I'm Zoe.

JOEL: We love lists, so we've created a list of to-dos for adults.

ZOE: Well, to guide everyone.

JOEL: When looking for a potential new school, we call this our Guide to Choosing the Right School, to make sure you remember to consider all the important stuff.

[DING]

ZOE: Let's make a list with our top 10 tips. Number 1, what does a new school have to offer?

JOEL: We mean, what is your young person interested in? Is it more academic or extracurricular activities - or both?

ZOE: In an ideal world, what sort of school would your young person want to attend? Would it meet their needs? Would they thrive?

JOEL: Number 2, your young person's learning needs. Are there any specific areas your young person needs to help them to thrive? Any learning challenges or health concerns to be raised with the new school?

ZOE: Talk with your young person's current classroom teacher. They may have some good ideas to guide you about secondary schools that might be a good fit. Reach out to those potential schools as soon as you can for a chat flagging any concerns.

[DING]

JOEL: Visit the secondary school. Find out if you can visit the potential new school. Go on a tour and ask them lots of questions.

ZOE: Visit the school's website. Research their programs and curriculum. Email them if you need answers. Don't be left scratching your heads.

JOEL: Number 4, the cost, school fees. Ask the school: "How much are the school fees?" Find out what other costs you'll be required to pay at your new school. Do you have to pay them all at once?

ZOE: Ask the school what the costs include, and what's extra. For example, do you have to pay extra for IT and device costs? Do you have to own and bring your own device? Can you get a discount, a scholarship, or government assistance?

JOEL: Number 5, enrolment. Once you've decided on a secondary school, what documents are required? Have you received all the documents required for enrolment? What date do they need to be submitted?

ZOE: Check with government, Catholic, and independent schools as they have different dates for enrolment. Make sure you have the correct information. Enrolment starts early.

JOEL: Number 6, uniforms. Different schools will have different uniform policies. What are the school's policies on uniforms and the cost?

ZOE: Are there different uniforms required throughout the year? What about sports uniforms? Remember to ask about second-hand uniforms.

JOEL: Don't leave uniforms to the last minute either. Number 7, communicate with your young person. This time of transition can be stressful and exciting at the same time.

ZOE: Take the time to talk through changes during your young person's final years of primary school.

JOEL: And continue this conversation through their first few months into secondary school.

ZOE: Yes, talking will help. Ask anything.

JOEL: It helps all of us, right?

ZOE: About your young person's new teachers, new friends, the schoolwork, what are they enjoying, and what do they find difficult?

JOEL: Use the new school support systems like email messages to check in with how they are transitioning.

ZOE: Number 8, travel. This will change and can sometimes be a source of concern for parents and caregivers. Take the time to check out the new routes and times for getting to school.

JOEL: Depending upon where your young person goes to secondary school will dictate whether there is also a change of routine at home and a change for you as an adult.

ZOE: Practise. Yes, take the time to practise the travel arrangements and how it impacts your home and your work or your daily routine.

JOEL: To number 9, home and study. This routine will change as well.

ZOE: Your young person may need to become more independent and may require a consistently quiet place to study at home.

JOEL: 10, make sure there is a school-life balance. In primary years, we do become familiar with time management skills and expectations. But in secondary school, we have multiple teachers and will need support at home to deal with this change.

ZOE: Work with them to help them plan for success at home. Know, too, that they will need to make time and have time to play sports or learn an instrument.

JOEL: Basically, ensure that we can balance our studies with extracurricular activities and hobbies so we thrive daily.

ZOE: Wait, what if I don't know where to go or who to ask?

JOEL: Ask your current school to point you in the right direction.

ZOE: Oh, and relax. Breathe and smile. Know you've now done everything on the list you can to help make the transition less stressful for you and your young person.

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