High school pupils take change in their stride

Students across Rockingham tied their laces, packed their schoolbags and put on a brave face for their first day back at school on Monday.

Among the many youngsters embarking on a new school year, Comet Bay College Year 8 students Catriona Garratt, 12, and John Fegebank, 13, took their first steps through the hallways of their new stomping grounds.

The two students, both chosen for the school’s gifted and talented program, said they were excited to begin a new chapter of their schooling life.

Catriona said she was looking forward to starting specialist subjects.

“I’m looking forward to all the specialist subjects like doing dance,” she said.

John said he enjoyed maths and English.

“I’m looking forward to different subjects, a wider range and more complicated stuff to do,” he said.

Comet Bay College assistant principal Stewart Pryer said about 270 Year 8 students hit the ground running at the Secret Harbour school.

“We managed to get all of those kids into classes with timetables without any major hiccups,” he said.

“We hope the kids can blend in and make good friends, but also hit the ground running and start academically pushing the envelope and extending themselves.”

Mr Pryer said there was a student support team and transition program to help Year 8 students adjust.

The school had created a health and wellbeing class to meet students’ social and emotional needs, focusing on building resilience, looking at who they are, how they mix with other students and the ordinary health curriculum, he said.