New experiences
From Day 1, there will be many changes to get used to including having a number of different teachers and different classrooms, often spread across a larger campus. Set class periods on particular subjects are of a longer duration than in primary school.
Each year brings new challenges and rewards as students develop their identity and move through adolescence and as they learn new skills and content in different subjects.
High school is divided into three stages:
- Stage 4: Years 7 & 8, where students experience a broad range of subjects and start to develop their independence in learning
- Stage 5: Years 9 & 10, where students select electives, and achieve the RoSA
- Stage 6: Years 11 & 12, where students work towards the Higher School Certificate
New friends
Making new friends can be a daunting task for anyone.
In Year 7, students often come from a variety of primary schools and they may find themselves in classes filled with children they don't know. Parents can help by discussing with their child the new school experiences each day – that way there is an awareness of difficulties when they arise rather than when it's too late.
Fitting in is often important to young people – finding people they like and who share their interests helps motivate them and increase their self-esteem. As students move through high school and are placed in different classes, it can be like starting out again. Also, young people often find others who share their emerging interests. Establishing new friendships is part of the learning at high school.
Peer pressure
Making new friends and a desire to fit in sometimes means students do things they might not normally do – just so they can be liked or be one of the crowd. Letting children know they don't have to do everything their peers do is an important way of ensuring the friendships they make are genuine and positive – not based on pressure or conformity. Telling them a real friend is someone who likes them for who they are is a valuable message.
