Many of us probably still remember those first days of high school that were filled with new experiences in new hallways, alongside a healthy dose of nerves. Angela Pilkington is the Principal at Altona's W.C. Miller Collegiate, and she says preparing the school's incoming Grade 9s already started last school year.
"We're very intentional about planning our start of year with that idea we want to welcome everyone back," she explained. "With our feeder schools of Gretna and Parkside we did a lot of visits and orientations in Spring, as well as bringing the Grade 9s over here, so they could see the building and feel a little bit more at home and connected here."
Those orientations continue Wednesday, September 3rd which is "Grade 9 Day", with only students in that grade back to school that day, and Pilkington noted there are several topics that will be covered during assemblies... more than likely things already on students' minds.
"They're moving from a classroom environment in Grade 8 where they had one homeroom teacher who would start their day and sort of wrap it up, helping them stay organized and giving them the tools they needed for success," she said. "Now they are ready to sort of try that out a little bit on their own. They're coming to a school where they may move up to five times a day to different classes and see a different teacher. So, we'll talk a little bit about how to stay organized, and that's something for them to think about."
The process of earning credits is also part of those discussions.
"The credit system is new to them in high school," said Pilkington. "If they have older sisters or brothers who have gone through, this won't be as foreign for parents, but it's certainly something we talk about with Grade 9 parents, and PowerSchool use sort of grows as they come into high school. They can access the mark and academic information online that they wouldn't have done previously."
Those early days of being in the "big school" for the first time are exciting, but also filled with a little trepidation.
"Along with the normal experiences of high school, you know a growth in the amount of extracurricular activities they can get involved in, and an opportunity for new friendships and connections with other people, it's an exciting year to come into Grade 9," she added. "There might be a little bit of nervousness, but we're happy to welcome them in, and we do a number of things to make their class feel welcome and get them ready for high school."
What can you do at home to prep your Grade 9?
"Even for the adults in the building, as well as the students coming in, we have to get used to that school year schedule again," offered Pilkington with a smile. "We want to be thoughtful about good sleeping habits, getting into the routines of when you eat and when you're up and moving around. If you can do that before school starts, that's great. If not, that's something you want to focus on as the school year begins."
Pilkington stressed good attendance and being on time is important for a strong start to the school year, as well as for connecting with all the staff and students in the building.
And let's not forget about the Grade 12s
"We are excited to celebrate with them," she said while noting the planning for the end of the coming school year typically begins within the first week of classes. "All of that will start right away, but we really encourage them to enjoy their Grade 12 year. Continue to build their independence and their readiness for life after high school, but also just settling in and enjoying everything their Grade 12 year has to offer, whether that's friendships or teacher connections or school activities, or just simply being a high school kid and being on the property and being around here. We think that's worthwhile. There's lots of time for adulthood. We want them to be ready for it, but we also want them to enjoy their last year of high school."
Meanwhile, Pilkington puts early enrolment estimates around 430 students, an increase over last year's around 400 at W.C. Miller Collegiate.