The move from primary to highschool can always be very daunting for a new Year 7 but the Mercedes College’s new Transition Week program in Week 1 helped the girls to settle into routines quickly. It began on Welcome Day. What seem relatively simple tasks like how to use a locker, how to pack a bag how to read a timetable and get to classes by the most efficient route are important skills for a Year 7 to master. Girls met their ‘big sisters’ (Peer Mentors) and together participated in a range of activities to help them feel at home in their new highschool. The Year 10 Peer Mentors continue to work with the girls throughout the year. The week culminated with a camp at the Swan Valley Adventure Centre where girls were forced out of their comfort zones sleeping in dorms with girls they hardly knew and participating in a range of team building activities, which at times were strenuous and challenging. By the end of the week there were lots of big smiles and many new friendships formed.
