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The Transition
to High School

Helping Year 7 make a smooth start

Year 7 is structured in a way that helps each student transition seamlessly into their new environment.

In Year 7, students study Integrated Humanities (IHum). IHum includes Religious Education, English and Studies of Society and the Environment. Integrating these subjects offers a holistic approach to learning.

A significant benefit for students is that the transition into High School is made easier by reducing the number of teachers and subjects. Much like primary school, these classes are all held in the same room with the same teacher and the same group of students. Many of our IHum teachers have experience teaching at primary schools.

Several orientation days, classroom tasks, and a series of pastoral program activities at the beginning of the school year help our new Year 7 students get to know each other, their school, and their teachers.

Students often identify MacKillop's 'welcoming community' to be one of the College's main strengths, and we believe it is this atmosphere that helps students to acclimatise so well.

Year 7

The transition to Year 7 at MacKillop

Rory, Year 7

"It's normal to be nervous about high school, but the transition into Year 7 at MacKillop has been really smooth for me. On the first day, it was a little tricky to navigate my way around, but people were there to help and there’s a map in the diary. After a few weeks, getting around the school became second nature. Initially, I was worried about not fitting in, but I made new friends quickly in my classes and in the playground. I would say that school has been really, really good so far and I feel like I’m really starting to belong. To Year 6, my advice is that high school isn’t as scary as you might think – it’s actually quite exciting. There’s lots going on at MacKillop but it’s really fun!”

Settling in at MacKillop

Making new friends.

99%

of Year 7 2026 said they had made new friends by midway through their first term at MacKillop.

Finding their way around.

95%

of Year 7 2026 said they knew their way around the campus within two weeks of starting high school.

Relationships with teachers.

96%

of Year 7 2026 said they thought their teachers cared about them and encouraged them.

Exciting times.

97%

of Year 7 2026 agreed that high school has exciting opportunities.

The welcoming community.

98%

of Year 7 2026 said they have felt welcome at MacKillop.

A safe environment.

96%

of Year 7 2026 said they feel safe at school.

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Enrolment