While starting high school may seem daunting, two Year 7 students at Nyngan High School said the school's peer support program has made the transition easier.
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Julian McDougall and Gemma Boland began high school last Wednesday and said they were "excited" to be starting their new venture.
So far Gemma said she was enjoying science, while Julian said he was enjoying personal development, health and physical education (PDH/PE).
The students both agreed the best thing about high school was the variety of subjects and and the chance to have different teachers each lesson.
"The best part about high school is moving around to different classes," Gemma said.
"It's good you're not just stuck with the one teacher."
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Both Gemma and Julian agreed not only had the high schools transitional program make the move from primary school easier, the peer support program in place has also helped the students settle in.
"It helped us a lot, and helped us get used to moving around instead of staying the one spot," Julian said.
Prior to the start of the school year in 2020, the Year 6 students from each of the schools in the Bogan Shire are introduced to high school life through a transition program.
Students would visit the high school each week to try a variety of different subjects and meet their year adviser, Tiarna Stafford.
As the 30 new Year 7 students enrolled for 2020 settle in, Ms Stafford said they also had a peer support program in place to help them settle into their new school environment.
The new students are paired with 'peer support buddies' who are students in Year 10. They are then put in groups with peer support leaders who run different activities from tips to survive high school, anti-bullying strategies to team building exercises.
Ms Stafford said the new students were settling in well.
"They're such an amazing bunch of kids, they're energetic, sporty and academic, we've got such a mixed bag its wonderful," she said.
While high school has just begun for the two students, both already have set their sights on what they plan to do when they leave.
Gemma said she aspired to be a professional athlete, while Julian said he hoped to be a builder or a professional basketball player.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
