Year 7 & 8

A great journey has begun

It has been wonderful to see the way our Year 7 students have begun their high school journey. The transition to secondary school brings new challenges, new routines, and new opportunities, and our Year 7s have approached this new chapter with excitement, a positive attitude and courage.

As I shared in our Middle Years Chapel Service, my message and challenge to the Year 7 cohort this year is simple: be resilient when things feel hard, be open to meeting new people, take time to learn how the school works, and be willing to give things a go, especially when they feel uncomfortable. Growth so often happens just outside our comfort zones.

This mindset was clearly on display at the Year 7 Camp, which for many was a jump into the deep end. Across the three days, many students stepped well beyond what felt familiar as they participated in activities, faced challenges, and supported one another. New friendships were formed, confidence grew, and many students discovered strengths they didn’t yet know they had. My sincere thanks go to all staff involved, and a special thank you to Ms Yoxall for her outstanding organisation and leadership in making the camp such a success.

As we move forward, a gentle reminder to students about the importance of coming to school prepared with the correct equipment, moving respectfully around the campus, and continuing to learn and follow school routines. These habits play a key role in helping students feel settled and successful. 

It has been a brilliant start.

Year 8 – already feels like home

Our Year 8 students are now well and truly finding their place within the school. No longer the youngest cohort, they know the routines, understand expectations, and are becoming increasingly confident in the rhythm of high school life - such as supporting Silly Socks (above). With this familiarity comes influence, whether they realise it or not.

Year 8 is a year where leadership begins to take shape. As I shared with the Year 8’s at our Middle Years Chapel Service, leadership is not about a title or a badge; it is seen in everyday actions, how students treat others, how they speak, how they respond when things don’t go their way, and how they choose to act when no one is watching. Our Year 7 students, and others around them, are watching and learning from their example. The tone they set matters.

My encouragement to Year 8 students this year is to lead by example, look out for others, challenge themselves to grow, and consistently model positive behaviour and strong character within our school community.

As we settle into the term, we also ask families to support students in following uniform expectations and re-establishing school routines. These small consistencies help create a positive and focused learning environment for everyone. This is an important year of growth, responsibility, and influence, and we look forward to seeing our Year 8s continue to mature and rise to the opportunities ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. It has been a strong start to the year, and I am excited about what lies ahead for both our Year 7 and Year 8 students. Please reach out for any concerns or questions.

Mr Thomas Dempers

Head of Year 7 and 8