Peer Support Program – Building Connections Across Year Groups 7 and 10!

Our Peer Support Program has provided a wonderful opportunity for 59 of our Year 10 students to work closely with our Year 7 students as they begin their high school journey. This program plays an important role in building a supportive school culture, strengthening relationships across year groups, and helping our newest students feel safe, confident and connected within our school community.

Throughout the program, Year 10 students have demonstrated outstanding leadership, responsibility and empathy as they guided Year 7 through a range of activities focused on teamwork, resilience, organisation, friendships and positive decision making. It was fantastic to see the older students acting as positive role models and mentors, and the Year 7 students responding with enthusiasm, respect and engagement. Programs like Peer Support are extremely valuable in large schools, as they help students feel known, supported and connected. The relationships formed during these sessions often continue throughout school life, helping Year 7 students feel more confident approaching older students for help and advice.

I would like to sincerely thank the students, teachers and coordinators involved in running this program, particularly Mrs Zaidan and Miss Fox, our Head Teachers of Wellbeing, for the significant amount of time, organisation and care they put into making this program such a success. Their work behind the scenes ensures that our students are supported not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. We are very proud of our Year 10 leaders for the way they represented the school and supported our Year 7 students, and we look forward to continuing this important program in the future.

Year 7 - A Settled Start

I would like to thank all Year 7 parents and carers for supporting a very settled and positive start to high school for our newest students. The transition to high school is a significant milestone, and it has been wonderful to see how well the cohort has adjusted to the 5 period day, several teachers, a large school setting and the many opportunities of high school life. Your support at home plays a significant role in ensuring students are organised, prepared and ready to learn each day. Packing their bag with the correct equipment is a key factor in their preparation for each day.

I would also like to inform families that the Year 7 Camp will go ahead in Term 4, scheduled for Week 8 from 1st of December to the 3rd of December. The camp is an important and exciting opportunity for students to build friendships, develop independence and strengthen their connection with the school. More detailed information will be provided midway through next term.

Congratulations to all Year 7 students who recently completed NAPLAN. The data we receive from NAPLAN is extremely valuable as it supports teaching and learning programs and helps teachers plan for individualised student support in the classroom. We are very proud of the way our students approached the assessments, but as a reminder, as a BYOD school laptops are essential for learning.

We would also like to remind families that the social media delay expectations need to be followed. Steps will be taken to support both parents and students to remove required apps where necessary and to ensure students are using social media responsibly and, in an age, appropriate way.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr Jack Kelly for all his work as Year Adviser, beginning with this cohort when they were in Year 6 and continuing through to Week 8 of this term. His commitment, care and dedication to the students have been greatly appreciated, and we thank him for the support he has provided to the cohort and their families. We wish him all the very best at his new school.

I would also like to welcome our new Year 7 Adviser, Mrs Zabella Koshaba, who will join Miss Jacqueline Tran and myself in supporting the Year 7 cohort of 2031. We look forward to continuing to work closely with students and families to ensure a successful and positive start to high school. We are excited about the opportunity to join students in the activities listed below at our Camp in December!

Miss Jacqueline Tran | Miss Zabella Khoshaba

- Mrs Lord, Deputy Principal

CHHS Podcast