12 November 2015
Welcome to Year 7 2016
Dressed in their House colours the girls completed a day filled with orientation activities largely led by Year 9 Peer Support Leaders. Each of the Houses offered the girls cards expressing their welcome as they join their new Houses.
In a show of support the current Year 7s shared their advice to girls starting next year and their parents. Earlier this year, all current Year 7 students completed a ‘Transition Survey’. In the course of this survey, the girls were asked for their ideas and experiences across a range of areas associated with life as a ‘Bennies’ girl. A part of the survey dealt specifically with the transition between primary and high school life.
The overwhelming message from the current Year 7 students to the newest members of the community was not to worry, you will be taken care of here at ‘Bennies’. The girls in Year 7 send a message of resilience and positive thinking to all of our newcomers. We wish them and their families a warm welcome into the MSB community.
What advice would you give to the students starting in 2016?
- Try to meet everyone in your Homeroom, House and classes
- Ask for help if you need it, even if you are afraid to. Others are happy to help
- Organise your locker as soon as you can. Don’t forget your lock code.
- You will find your way around - but it will be hard at first
- Don’t leave your assessments until the last minute
- It seems like a big school when you start but it does get easier quickly
- Use your planner. Your planner is your best friend
- Be yourself and have fun
- Don’t worry, you will make friends
- Be brave
- Take every opportunity you are given
- Focus in class. Get to know your teachers
- Don’t stress, don’t worry, try to relax, it will be alright, keep calm, be confident
- Don’t get addicted to the canteen muffins!
What advice would you give the parents of the students starting in Year 7, 2016?
- She’ll love it here
- Your daughter should get to bed early
- Don’t stress, your daughter is growing up, that’s all!
- Ask her if she has done her homework and what she learnt that day
- Be proud of your daughter
- Help her prepare for assessments
- Connect with other families. Get involved in parent activities.
- Your daughter is in good hands
- On the first day of school, just act normally (like a normal primary school day) because some kids get stressed out (like I did)
- Be patient. Be aware of what she is learning
- You can trust the teachers and older students
- Talk to her about what she did each night
- Listen to your daughter - she might need reassurance
- The teachers are very easy to talk to
- Don’t worry