Each year we welcome boys into Year 7 at Wadhurst from around 50 different primary schools, including around 40% from our primary school, Grimwade House.
Day students may travel from as far afield as Ascot Vale, Coburg, Doncaster region and Point Cook. Boarders come from country Victoria, interstate and overseas.
How we support new Wadhurst students
The start of Year 7 concentrates on developing a sense of community within this new cohort. The pastoral care program operates on a House basis with staff focusing on the care of students within their House. Students will spend the majority of their time with the same group of students within their House, attending classes run by a small set of teachers who get to know them well.
Except for specialist classes, students tend to stay in their homeroom, with teachers coming to them. This adds to their sense of stability and focus throughout the school day.
Other activities outside the classroom such as our sport and drama programs foster friendships across the entire year level. Our mentor program, where Year 8 boys support Year 7 students, assists with the development of positive relationships between year levels.
More broadly, across Years 7 and 8, we strive to develop our students’ decision-making skills, encourage judgement alongside independence, and instil an ability to reach out to others in moments when they require support.
Building enthusiasm for change
As students’ awareness of the world around them grows, so does their understanding of the pace of change. Our students are beginning to see that their challenges will be different to those faced by their parents.
We aim to encourage enthusiasm to meet these changes, rather than skepticism or fear of new situations. With this attitude modelled by teachers and reflected throughout their learning community, Wadhurst students build confidence, judgement and resilience.