Over the last two days, we have welcomed the Year 7s from the four feeder schools to take part in our Transition program. Students were greeted with a pancake breakfast on their first day as they eagerly jumped off the bus, found their friends and headed into the quadrangle. Our future Year 8s began their day in pastoral care with their home group teacher/s Mrs Pratt/Mrs Niblett, Miss Buick or Mr Thomas. Following pastoral care the students had the opportunity to complete a range of subjects. In Geography students used VR googles; in French many accomplished building an Eiffel Tower with spaghetti and marshmallows; History saw them digging for primary resources (choc chips in cookies) and many more engaging lessons were held. On Friday students continued to meet their teachers for next year and participate in all the subjects offered at Balaklava High School. Jack from Connected Self facilitated the Rock and Water program, which teaches students about being centered and grounded, whilst building self-respect and respect for others. These social and life skills will help our students be successful through this next transition from primary to high school.

We would also like to congratulate Tess Rana and Maylea Carpenter on becoming our 2021 Middle School Transition Scholarship recipients.

It has been a wonderful two days, we hope the students have enjoyed their time at high school and we would like to wish them a safe and happy holidays. We look forward to seeing you all in Week 1 Term 1 in 2021.

Some examples from Mr Thomas’ English Transition Lesson

The Sounds of K4

The rustling of the air-conditioner                                        

The taps of hammers                                                             

Mr Thomas clapping

Pencils rubbing as they write                                                

The sound of other students breathing                                 

Harry Dall                                                                                           

I hear the birds flapping their wings

Talking to each other             

The kids playing outside

The door opening and shutting.        

Malcolm Rudd

Air-conditioner blowing

Paper moving

Keys shaking

People clapping

Pencils tapping

Heavy breathing

Door shutting

Grinder grinding.

Troy Kenyon