Making friends as a new girl in yr 5

[8obby]

DD has started yr 5 at a new school after we moved areas during the summer.

She is usually extremely social, is used to having lots of friends around her, and up until now she has always made new friends quickly and easily (old school had lots of people coming and going).

But here she is struggling to make friends. Sometimes at drop off I’ve seen her try to join in with a few girls and they just ignore her.

I’ve suggested play dates but she says she doesn’t feel she knows them well enough yet. She doesn’t want to do any School Clubs because they aren’t based on anything she wants to do.

How can I help her make connections and feel happier?

How about boys? My ds has just made friends with a new girl, and she was invited into group of children consists of both boys and girls.
School club is a good idea, maybe encourage her to give it a try on one of them?
Our school have less formal lunch times clubs as well, that children doesn't need to be registered, just join in when they wants to. Find out if they have something like that?

Definitely speak to teacher about seeing if she can get her more involved with others. My DC went to a junior school with high mobility and the DC joining in Y5/6 were all instantly befriended, so I don't think it's an issue with the year group move as such (girls tend to fall out with their previous best friends at this sort of age anyway!)

Is there a place that people go after school ? Do you know any other parents (or could you get to know any)- can you perhaps say that you're new to the area and see if they offer up anything?

Thanks for your supportive words.
I will try the boy route as she had friends of both sexes at previous school.
Have spoken to teacher already at the start of last week... should I do it again or will that just annoy the teacher???
Struggling to get to know other parents as the children all seem to arrive/leave on their own now they are yr 5.
More tips are most welcome. Thanks

Other things you can try is joining one of the local outside school extra curricular activities.
My ds made friends with children who he never played with at school before in a club, became really good friends there and at school too.

Thanks. I had been pondering clubs outside of school - your post has confirmed to me that it’s worth a try.

Any tips for her re building connections with those in the class too? The cold-shouldering has been unexpected!

If the children arrive/leave on their own, then can she get to know others that walk in the same direction as her? My DC have always had "walking to school" buddies for simple reasons of geography. If you're walking and talking it might feel less forced.