Developing positive relationships with their Prep buddies is one of the highlights of the year for our Year 6 students. All Year 6 and Prep classes have now had their initial match ups and now look forward to seeing our buddies on a regular basis. The Year 6 students have already displayed effective leadership skills by the admirable examples they have set. They have enjoyed sharing their knowledge with their Prep buddies, assisted them with reading, writing and numeracy, and have shown patience in their interactions. We hope the Year 6 cohort can continue to develop their relationships with their buddies over the rest of the year and beyond.

Reflections from students:

We have so much fun with our Prep buddies. We do many activities with them like showing them around May Gibbs courtyard, doing Math Seeds with them and also playing with them in the Prep playground. Also, we read books to them. At the end of the day everyone has had a lot of fun and they don’t want us to leave. – Alfie

Having Prep buddies is a wonderful experience. We get to read books, play in the playground as well as just have a really fun time. It is about learning and having fun. Having an older person look out for you, play with you, pay attention to you makes you feel special as a Prep student. It makes the first year of school, or as my little buddy says “big school” so much easier. When I was in Prep, I had an amazing Year 6 buddy (she is in Year 12 now) and I still say hi to her when I see her in school. It is such an incredible program for both the Preps and the Year 6s, and I cannot wait to see my Prep buddy eventually grow up into a Year 6 buddy. – Hannah

Having a Prep buddy is an amazing experience. You get to play with the youngest students of the College and the Preps have someone to look up to. It is an activity that all of the Year 6s and Preps look forward to and cherish. I know that seeing my Year 6 buddy every week when I was in Prep was always the highlight of my week. I still see my Year 6 buddy who is in Year 12 and I still say hi to her if I see her. I really look forward to seeing my Prep buddy grow up into a Year 6 buddy herself. – Emily

This term, Year 6 students have delved into the fascinating subject of migration in HASS, exploring the diverse backgrounds and origins of our families. The journey through our collective past has been an enriching experience, providing us with profound insights into our families’ histories. Discovering the various paths our ancestors took to reach Australia has been particularly enlightening, with stories ranging from those who arrived as part of the 10-pound pom migration program to others seeking refuge or pursuing new opportunities. Our exploration has gone beyond mere narratives; we have delved into the intricacies of migration patterns, understanding the push and pull factors that influenced our ancestors' decisions to embark on life-changing journeys. It has been a journey of self-discovery, connecting us more deeply with our families and fostering a greater appreciation for the diverse tapestry that forms our collective heritage. Year 6 students have not only studied their own migration stories, but they have also immersed themselves in the stories/journeys of their peers. The exchange of stories has been a powerful aspect of our learning, creating a sense of community as we connect with the diverse journeys that brought each family to Australia.

Year 6 students have had the exciting opportunity to step into the world of food technology as we have taken turns exploring the culinary wonders of the kitchen on Friday afternoons. The highlight has been our hands-on experience crafting mouthwatering nachos, showcasing both our newfound cooking skills and appreciation for diverse flavours. Beyond the delicious results, these sessions have been invaluable in teaching us the importance of safety and responsibility in a kitchen environment, instilling valuable life skills. The combination of learning and enjoyment has made our Friday afternoons a delightful way to cap off the school week, creating lasting memories and fostering a love for both the art of cooking and the joy of shared meals.

TIFFANY HENRY, MONIQUE BORTNICK, TAHLIA DILKES & DEAN WEST |  YEAR 6 TEACHERS