It was a big week for our Year 7 students, with three days of camp and two days of the Stepping Forward program, which is aimed at helping our youngest cohort transition to life in secondary school.
Guest speaker Sharon Witt (pictured), author of the Teen Talk Series of books, led an interactive and engaging session about 'Surviving High School' with activities on having a growth mindset, perspective, organisation, persistence and homework.
In the session, students were able to investigate the concept of stepping out of your comfort zone, persistence and not giving up by volunteering to take part in various Minute To Win It activities. These included sucking up M&Ms with a straw and transferring them to a plate and stacking cups in a pyramid as a team. Putting things into perspective, empathy and not having a preconceived idea about a teacher were also explored. “There are a whole lot of personalities in this room, give yourself a chance to get to know them,” was one of Ms Witt's pieces of advice.
You can learn more about Sharon Witt's books and programs at https://www.sharonwitt.com.au/
The Stepping Forward program also included sessions on the Mercy story, study skills, cybersafety, library orientation, settling in (with support from Year 10 Peer Support leaders) and 'My Future' with the Careers department.
