The first day of Year 7 is a momentous occasion and can be met with mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement.

As the new Year 7 students were met at the front gates of the Senior School by the Year 12 leaders, many may have been experiencing a plethora of emotions about commencing secondary school as they were guided to their new lockers in the Clocktower.

The ABC aired a documentary called Surviving School: My Year 7 Life last week which explores the major themes experienced by Australian students and their parents as the students adjust to high school. The program included insight and advice from psychologist Dr Charlotte Keating (’99) who is also an Old Girl of St Catherine’s School.

In the documentary, there are many themes discussed which may be familiar to students and families as the students face the challenges of organisation, homework, friendship groups, new relationships and social media. It then goes on to outline the first year of high school as an ‘epic life change’. To assist students in managing this significant shift in their lives Dr Keating suggests students explore their interests in order to develop and expand upon relationships.

The co-curricular programs at St Catherine’s School provide a wide and varied range of opportunities for our Year 7 students to interact with their peers as well as build strong relationships with students in other Year levels. The Year 7s are encouraged to join sporting teams, musical ensembles and lunchtime clubs in the coming weeks to avail themselves to the many and varied opportunities that the School offers.