Next education chapter begins for local high schoolers

EMBARKING on the next education chapter has been an exciting time for three year 7 Beechworth Secondary College students this year. The trio Zoe Blair, Otis Saunders and Alyssa Egan started their studies in the last week’s intake cohort of 70 students for the first year of their secondary school journey. Zoe had attended Yackandandah Primary School while Otis finished his primary school journey at Montessori and Alyssa completed her first six years of schooling at Beechworth Primary. Zoe said she arrived with a set of mix of emotions. “It's exciting and a bit scary, because there's no little kids running around, and you are the bottom of the school not at the top,” she said. “I have lots of friends here, and I'm making new ones as well. “I’m looking forward to getting to know all the teachers as well as getting the hang of high school." An excited Alyssa said she had looked forward to high school since prep. “I'd always looked forward to this moment and meeting new kids from new schools,” she said. Meeting new friends, playing new sports, and preferring to be the youngest and not oldest in the school were Otis’ sentiments. Otis said he looked forward to studying Digitech, PE, learning new Maths and French. College principal Patricia Broom said a big group of year 7s this year was exciting for the school as well as close to 300 students overall at the college. “Students are excited to be able to mix and meet lots of other students and there is a dynamic mix,” she said. Ms Broom said among many initiatives started at the school to be continued included debating, the annual Model UN event offered by the United Nations Australia (Victorian Division) as well as extra subjects too. The principal said new teachers with different skills meant some other subjects could also be offered such as agricultural science. and sport and recreation while languages remained strong. “It has been exciting to have new teachers on staff giving us a wider scope,” she said. Extra camps have been added to this year’s agenda as well as tours of universities and TAFEs, a trip to Canberra with year 10s and meeting up with federal MP for Indi Helen Haines at Parliament House. Ms Broom said students have the chance to stay on campus until late in the afternoon to access teachers. “Our dedicated and committed staff know their students, and support what they do,” she said. “We're really proud of some of the kids who are doing outstanding things outside of school time too such as volunteering with the CFA. “Four students in Beechworth’s Golden Serpent’s Dragon Boat Club are going to Germany this year in the national Australian Junior dragon boat team. “We also have students in state swimming squads and competing at state level as well as soccer and horse riding." New English and junior school leader Channelle Jenkins said it has been fantastic seeing year 7 excitement at the school. “It's amazing to have such a big cohort and gives them more opportunities as well as making new friendships,” she said. With a move from Mornington Peninsula Ms Jenkins said the college is an enjoyable place to come to and to be a part of a growing school.

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