MAKING WAVES IN YEAR 7

As the world opens up again, the Class of 2026 have launched into the opportunities to step out of their comfort zone with enthusiasm and resilience as they've navigated their first term of secondary schooling, and challenged themselves at their Year 7 camp in Balnarring.

Having spent most of their last year of Primary schooling in remote, the Class of 2026 have begun their first term of Secondary School launching into the new and exciting stage of their journey at Southern Cross Grammar. For the cohort, this meant managing risks in a controlled environment, challenging themselves and fully immersing themselves in their three-day Year 7 camp in Balnarring.

The Camp centred around the key Year 7 themes of Joy, Routine and Challenge, and offered students opportunities to develop and deepen their connections with one another and staff. During the camp, they participated in a number of activities including snorkelling, surfing, bushwalking and reef studies.

They worked together to set up camp, cook meals, and even came up with a performance for their very own SCG's Got Talent (Camp Edition) on their final night of Camp.

"The Year 7 camp was my first time camping in a tent, and was an extraordinary experience," Satvik Arveti Venkata Naga said. "We had the chance to participate in unique and entertaining activities including bushwalking five kilometres, surfing and snorkelling. Participating in the activities was mindblowing because there is so much you can do while camping."

Camp provides tangible ways for younger students to build their resilience and capacity to work beyond their nerves and fears, and for many students (and staff alike), attempting a novel activity like surfing and the euphoria of being able to ride a wave standing up has stayed with them long after the Camp.

Tianyi Wang snorkelled for the first time during the camp and it's something she is excited to do again on a warmer day. "I'm not really a sea person so I was actually a bit scared at first before we went out to sea," she said. "However, I gave snorkelling a go and now I've tried it, I want to do it again."

Students took to the waves at camp body boarding, surfing and snorkelling.

The Year 7 Camp marks the formal end to our Year 7 Transition Program. The program began in Term 4 2020 as the Class of 2026 and their families set their sights on the year ahead, with an Information session that introduced the newly appointed Head of Year 7, Jade Panozzo.

This was then followed by two Step Up Days in the final week of Term 4, where students met their teachers for the first time, participated in their 2021 classes and were introduced to key organisational aspects of Secondary School such as how to read their timetable and use Schoolbox to manage their study program.

The Program eventually progressed to the Year 7 Parent Evening on 9 February 2021. During the event, parents connected with staff and fellow families, asked further questions about the Program and saw the 2020 upgrades across our campus for the first time in a school tour led by Principal, Matt Dodd.

Students prepare a meal at camp.

"The Year 7 Transition Program has been a welcome addition to our Year 7 Program," Jade Panozzo said. "The Program has aided in our students feeling settled, developing key connections and feeling prepared for the important transition from primary school to secondary school. The feedback [we have] received from parents, students and staff reflects this program was a success."

Secondary Schooling is a massive shift in the way students learn and navigate schooling with new teachers, a different timetable with new subjects, and further opportunities to learn independently, and the Class of 2026 have found their footing quickly both individually and collectively.

"Our Year 7 students have done an exceptional job at navigating the many changes that come with the transition from Primary School to Secondary School," Jade said.

"Students have had the opportunity to immerse themselves in activities such as Harmony Week Activities, Interschool Sports Teams and Extra Curricular Clubs such as Cosplay Club and Run Club. A number of these activities have allowed students to develop bonds with not only students from their Year level but students in other Year levels at Southern Cross Grammar.

"[The Class of 2026's] positive and productive attitude throughout the term is especially impressive as we were also thrown into a five-day lockdown midterm."

For many students camp marked their first time snorkelling or surfing.

The Year 7 Transition Program goes beyond forging new friendships; by giving students opportunities to step out of their comfort zone and take charge of their learning and forge new relationships, the Program has laid important foundations for students' success as they journey through the year ahead, their time at Southern Cross Grammar, and into the world as Graduates and Alumni in the future. "

Students have learnt, and are still learning, important life lessons related to organisation, how to build and maintain connections and safe risk taking," Jade said. "I believe the experiences they have been given so far during the Transition Program is preparing them for their future years of secondary schooling and life beyond Southern Cross Grammar."