Starting Senior School
An Exciting Leap from the Junior School
Throughout their Junior School years, students have many occasions to visit the Senior School campus for lessons, events and excursions as well as become familiar with the facilities and staff. Whole College celebrations and events also provide opportunities for the Iona community, including parents and grandparents, to build a sense of connectedness across the campuses.
Students from the Senior School regularly support Junior School initiatives. From coaching JIGSSA sporting teams, to assisting with service opportunities like the Junior School Disco, to supporting the academic program through subjects such as Children, Family and the Community, Physical Education Studies, Mathematics and Religious Education.
These cross-campus connections help to create a wonderful sense of community and a smooth campus transition for those students who move across at the end of Year 6.
Welcoming our New Year 7 Ionians
For Year 7 students, it can feel like a very big step leaving their primary school behind and commencing their secondary school journey. With this in mind, the College has developed an outstanding Year 7 Transition Program that commences as soon as a student is enrolled.
The Iona Insight, a bi-annual publication keeps families abreast of the happenings at Iona and the admissions team work tirelessly to ensure communications are up to the minute, concise, valuable and relevant.
There are several key events that make up the Year 7 Transition Program at Iona:
1. Parent Information Evening
The Important Parent/College Partnership
Prior to commencement, we welcome the parents of all our new Year 7 students to the Year 7 Parent Information Evening. This wonderful occasion, hosted by the College Principal, provides an opportunity for parents to learn about what to expect when their daughters commence, and how as a community we can all be supported. It is a truly wonderful evening of discussion that marks the beginning of the close partnership between parents and the College.
2. Orientation Day
Building a Sense of Belonging
Soon after the Parent Information Evening, we welcome all incoming Year 7 students to Orientation Day. This day, hosted by the Deputy Principal of Wellbeing, has a strong emphasis on friendship and developing a sense of belonging, as we recognise this is paramount in the hearts and minds of our incoming students. Students, from a wide range of feeder schools, sample the exciting opportunities they will be faced with along their Senior School journey. Group activities are focused on fun and are arranged over the various learning areas. New friendships certainly begin to blossom on Orientation Day.
3. Peer Support Day
Forming Friendships as Ionians
In early December, we again welcome our future Year 7 cohort to the College for Peer Support Day. This is an exciting day all about finding their place in Iona’s amazing House system!
Prior to attending, students are placed into their House. On the day they will be guided by their Head of Year, and will meet fellow house members as well as their Year 11 Peer Support Leader, who will play a very important role as a friend and mentor. Together, students share lunch and participate in getting-to-know-you activities. Strong bonds form by the end of the day with our newest students beginning to feel even more confident and excited about their Iona-journey ahead.
4. Transition Activities
A Seamless Transition
In addition to Orientation Day and Peer Support Day, there are also several specialised Transition Activities created specifically for our incoming Year 7 students. These activities are spread over the course of months, and into the January school holidays prior to commencement, to help students familiarise themselves with exciting Senior School courses and provide them with an extra opportunity to bond with their future classmates. Transition Activities can range from Dance and Music activities, to Sport and STEM.
