The Pre-Laurie's Journey
Regularly at the College, we speak of the Laurie's Journey and its impact on the growth of our students. For our Primary students and their families, this journey does not begin on the first day of the school year, it begins much earlier. Whether it be at an Open Day, a Principal Tour, enrolment interviews or discussions with key staff here at the College, every Laurie's Journey begins somewhere.
Open Days and Principal Tours often mark the first interaction with our College in its physical form. The showcasing of our state-of-the-art facilities is often supported by the friendly and welcoming nature of our Enrolments Registrar, Ms Tina McManus, our staff and of course our students. It is in these interactions which new members of our community understand the true nature of Laurie's and what it represents.
A key steppingstone continues to be the College’s Orientation Day which aims to assist new Year 4 and Year 6 students with their transition to Year 5 (Primary School) and Year 7 (Middle School) at Laurie's. On this day, our newest students are joined by our current Year 6 boys. Our Primary and Middle School staff play a key role in this transition and allow our new students and their families to feel comfortable and most importantly, welcome. Our new students have a chance to interact with their future classmates, see new friendships blossom and become acquainted with their teachers through games, classroom activities and discussions.
Academics are just one key aspect of an education, but at Laurie's, we aim to holistically develop our young men spiritually, morally, intellectually, emotionally, physically, culturally and socially. Our newest students have the chance to do this before they begin at Laurie's with sport holiday clinics and participation in Term 4 sport the year prior to entry. This provides boys the opportunity to develop friendships and foster a strong connection through sport. These clinics and sporting introductions often provide an authentic and true Laurie's welcome.
Once students begin at the College in the new school year, there are several initiatives utilised to ensure their smooth transition continues. This includes the Peer Mentoring program and the Transport Buddy System. Every Monday and Friday during morning admin, a select number of Year 11 students visit the Primary classrooms to interact with our Year 5 and 6 students. This program demonstrates there is no difference or divide between our white and purple shirts and in fact, we are one big, interconnected community.
The Transport Buddy system also eases the transition by assisting our younger students with travel to and from the College. Our Senior students, who are on similar routes, assist our newest students with the ins and outs of the commute. There have been numerous occasions in which our Senior students have gone over an hour in the wrong direction to ensure a young student made it home safely.
At the start of every year, our new Year 7 cohort undergoes the Year 7 Transition Program. This two-week program allows for an adjusted timetable in order for these students to adapt to the differences of Middle School. This is also intertwined with the Year 7 camp which is a great chance to strengthen connections and start the year on a positive note.
All of these programs combine to provide a welcoming start to the Laurie's Journey.