Fifty Myall Coast Year 6 students got a taste of high school life last week at the Orientation Day held at Bulahdelah Central School.

The students, who will be starting Year 7 together in the new year, were able to meet their teachers and classmates and try out some of the subjects they will study.

Tea Gardens student Austin Battle said he was excited about the changes high school will bring.

“I’m not really worried about starting, I already have some friends here so that will help a lot,” he said.

“The work will probably be a lot harder than what I am used to, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Bulahdelah Central School student Tom McInerney said Orientation Day showed that starting high school will be fun.

“We will have more teachers and subjects and I think science will be great because of the experiments you get to do,” he said.

“I’ll still have the same friends but there will be lots of new people to get to know as well.”

Experimenting with microscopes and static electricity balls, creative badge making, mathematical problem solving and drama skills were some of the lessons offered to help the students make the transition to high school.

Year Advisor for the new Year 7 group Georgina Cunich told News Of The Area the day was simply about the students becoming familiar with their new environment.

“It’s about making sure that all the students are comfortable when they start Year 7 next year,” she said.

“It was definitely a pleasure to have the parents here as well, there were some new and familiar faces and we will all be beginning on a new journey together.”

Ms Cunich said part of her role was looking after the wellbeing of the group including providing extra assistance for any students who may be feeling anxious about starting high school.

The new Year 7 group will be made up of students from Tea Gardens, Karuah, Booral, Coolongolook and Bungwahl Public Schools, St Joseph’s and Bulahdelah Central.

By Daniel SAHYOUN