Year 7 Update!

Hearing from our Year 7s

In Term One, we held several focus groups with our Year 7 students to hear about their start at Ballarat High School and their ideas for the future. We were interested to hear about what they had enjoyed about primary school and their concerns about coming to high school. One big takeaway? They wanted more chances to work with students outside their core classes. 

Year 7 Day – Teamwork, Friendships & Fun

To make that happen, we wrapped up last Term with a special Year 7 Day. Students worked with both their own class and peers from across the year level, taking part in activities that builds teamwork, organisation and an understanding of healthy friendships. Our student leaders and peer support were also on hand to work with our Year 7 students!

They explored what makes a friendship thrive—feeling supported, being honest but kind, and knowing that healthy doesn’t mean perfect. Mistakes happen, but strong friendships can grow from them.

Finding the Best Way to Handle Conflict

Friendships aren’t always smooth sailing. Students learned the difference between aggressive, passive and assertive communication, practised each style, and discovered that being assertive is the most respectful and effective way to resolve disagreements.

A Maths Challenge with a Twist

This Term, Ms Darken has hidden ten tiny envelopes around the ALC on random days of the week. Inside each envelope? A maths problem linked to last Term’s learning. Solve it and you win a prize—anything from lollies and fidgets to entries in the chip lunch draw or even movie tickets!

It’s been fantastic to see the excitement around maths, and we thank Ms Darken for her creativity and dedication in running this challenge.

Looking Ahead to Term Three

We’re continuing to explore ways for students to mix beyond their core classes. Team teaching has begun in some subjects and we’ll be seeking Year 7 feedback in the coming weeks to shape future opportunities.

Fiona Lindsay