The transition from Year 6 to the big, wide world of high school isn’t always easy, but Wirreanda teacher Patrick Hay has seen that the transition is an easier one for the students of Irrawang High School’s feeder network.

A full-time teacher and part-time triathlete, Mr Hay recognised the role sport could play to help knock down the barriers associated with starting high school.

The result was a round-robin competition in soccer, touch football and netball encompassing Irrawang Primary School, Grahamstown Primary School,

Wirreanda Primary School, Medowie Primary School and Irrawang High School.

In addition to learning about sportsmanship and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, the Year 6 students and their soon- to-be peers enjoyed a beneficial day that will hopefully stand them in good stead when the high school year commences in 2017.

“It can be a very difficult time for some of the students when the time comes to start Year 7 with moving to a new school and taking on all of the changes that high school brings.” Mr Hay told News Of The Area.

“So, we thought it might be a good idea to get all of the feeder schools together, along with some of their older counterparts from Irrawang High and put them all together in a much more casual situation without any added pressure of being the first day at high school.”

The day proved to be a great success, with the student reports showing that a lot of fun was had in a positive and comfortable setting.