During the last week of Term 2 we were fortunate to be able to host many Grade 5 students from our priority parish schools at the College. Over two days we welcomed students from St Patrick’s Lilydale, St Mary’s Mount Evelyn, St Richard’s Kilsyth, St Peter Julian Eymard Mooroolbark, Sacred Heart Croydon, St Paul’s Monbulk, St Joseph’s Yarra Junction and St Brigid’s Healesville to participate in our Future Stars program.
As one of our first transition events, the purpose of Future Stars is to ensure that students from our Catholic primary schools, who may be attending Mount Lilydale Mercy College in the future, have the wonderful opportunity to experience a day in the life of a MLMC student.
The students were welcomed to the College by our Year 9 Class Captains before being placed into eight mixed groups, simulating the mixing of students from different schools when entering Year 7. After spending some recess time together in the playground, they formed into their groups to take part in periods 3 and 4 across the many subjects offered at the College. Students got to experience class in Art, Science, Music, Maths, Food, Business, Drama, Sport, Textiles, Woodwork and Agriculture. Our Year 9 students did a wonderful job of ensuring our visitors were in the right places and answered any questions they (or the assisting teachers or parents) may have had. They also assisted and participated in the lessons provided.
This experience provides the ‘Future Stars’ of MLMC with a better understanding of what life will be like when they attend secondary school. By participating in this program, students become more familiar with our College and what it has to offer. It is the first step in alleviating any worries they may have associated with transition, and is an important part of establishing connections with students from other primary schools.
We thank all the staff who were involved, from both MLMC and our visiting schools, for their generosity of spirit and time. We are sure that this was a wonderful day for all involved, full of new and exciting experiences for our future students.
Here are some reflections from two of our Year 9 Class Captains:
I loved being part of our Future Stars program. It gave Year 9 leaders a chance to meet future students, show them some fantastic subjects we study here at MLMC and to represent our school. My group took part in both a Drama and Science class, where we performed small scenarios and combined chemicals to record any reactions. Everyone made new friends playing downball and basketball during recess and lunchtime, this being my highlight of the day. Our Future Stars program is a fun way for Grade 5 students to spend a day here and I look forward to meeting them again in 2023.
— Lily McLean (Year 9 Green)
As one of the student leaders, this year's Future Stars program was a great experience. I enjoyed leading the groups of Grade 5s with my partner and I enjoyed participating in the same program that I had been part of when I was in Grade 5. The Grade 5s looked like they enjoyed themselves and they were very enthusiastic during all of the activities. Overall, it was successful and enjoyable.
— Alannah Rudan (Year 9 Silver)
