Year 6: Stepping Up in Confidence

3rd September 2025

As we prepare to welcome pupils back for the start of a brand-new academic year, we’re pausing to look back at one of the most memorable traditions that closed out the summer term: the Year 6 final assembly and procession. This event is more than just a farewell to Junior School—it’s a rite of passage, a celebration of growth, and a milestone that marks the exciting step into Senior School.

For last year’s Year 6 pupils, the day was filled with excitement, pride, and lasting memories. After their final assembly, they planted a commemorative tree— a living symbol of their years in Junior School and the roots they’ve put down here. In one of the most moving moments of the year, the whole school community lined the pathway to Senior School, cheering and clapping as Year 6 made their final walk, greeted at the end by the Head, Mrs Péchard, who warmly welcomed them into the next stage of their educational journey.

This joyful event is not only about looking back but also about looking forward. The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 is a huge milestone—exciting, yes, but often a little daunting too. That’s why our transition programme begins long before this final walk.

Preparing for the leap into Year 7

Starting in Year 5, pupils take part in a carefully designed series of activities to help them grow in confidence and familiarity with Senior School life. These include:

Workshops across subjects: From discovering the invisible magic of light in science and hands-on adventures in history, to unleashing their creativity in art and DT, pupils get an authentic taste of Senior School classrooms.

Events and experiences: Team-building days, residential trips, and Meet the Head ‘Getting to Know You’ chats give pupils opportunities to build resilience, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.

Guidance and support: Information evenings, Q&A sessions with current Year 7 pupils, and welcome days ensure both children and parents feel informed and ready for the journey ahead.

“This event captures everything I love about St Margaret’s, the warmth, the support, and the pride we all share in watching our children grow”

Emma Gray
Head of Junior School

By the time they reach their final assembly, Year 6 pupils are not only prepared academically but also emotionally and socially for the new challenges of Senior School. The clapping event is the culmination of this journey: a collective acknowledgment that they are ready to step confidently into Senior School life.

This year’s event celebrated not only the end of one chapter but the beginning of another. As the new school year begins this week, our next Year 6 cohort is already embarking on this journey for themselves. With workshops, activities, and support awaiting them across the year, they too will grow, prepare, and eventually take those final steps down the pathway to Senior School—cheered on by the whole St Margaret’s community.

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