Transition Program Years 7/8

Transition Program, Years 7/8 FiIm stars at All Saints'

SELECTED All Saints' College staff and students will feature in a new anti-bullying program entitled Bully Free TV.

TELEVISION presenter Tony Johnston and his film crew visited the College on Thursday, 27 November to interview All Saints' Principal Or Geoffrey Shaw, Year 7 Teacher Mrs Oiane Pursell and Year 7 students from Mrs Pursell's class.

The ASC film stars spoke about their views on the effects of bullying and the best ways to reduce bullying. All Saints' College was chosen because of its outstanding initiatives to increase students' social skills and reduce bullying between students.

The program will feature three of Australia's leading experts on bullying and will present an overview of the current bullying issues, plus strategies on how to deal with these problems. It is designed to help parents and teachers deal effectively with bullying and will be presented in a chat show format, with background material on location.

Bully Free TV will be released nationwide in late February 2009 and a segment of the program may also be shown on commercial television in 2009. Permission was sought from parents prior to the Year 7 students being involved in the filming.

Tony Johnston has 23 years of television experience including 10 years in children's television and five years with The Great Outdoors.

"I felt it was important for the College to be involved in this project. All Saints' is committed to addressing bullying effectively and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a film which is intended to assist other schools and families. The film-makers were impressed with our students' positive outlook, their considered comments and their articulate expression. "- Dr Geoffrey Shaw

"When I was asked how to respond to bullying, I said I would just stay calm and wouldn't let it worry me, but I would tell a teacher if it got worse." - Runa Murase

"I enjoyed that we got to share personal feelings about bullying. " - Andrew Walker

Transition Program, Years 7/8 Gnientation Days help with smooth transition

ORIENTATION, n. the ability to locate oneself in one's environment with reference to time, place and people.

IN the Years 7 and 8 Transition Program we aim to create a positive, secure and supportive environment in which students develop a comfortable sense of belonging within the College community. From their introduction to the College during Orientation, the Transition years are designed to help students find their own friendship networks, experience a range of options to discover their interests and talents, and become immersed in the Senior School culture.

Each year this begins with the first Orientation events which take place at the end of the year before the students start with us. Some students make the transition from Year 6 in the Junior School, while some come to us from other schools. We run two separate Orientation Days - in 2008 the Year 7 Orientation was held on 3 December and the Year 8 Orientation on 2 December.

Year 7s spent time with their classroom teachers in their new rooms and wrote letters introducing themselves to their teachers. The Peer Support Program is a special feature for the Year 8s and on Orientation Day they meet older students who will be their Peer Support leaders in 2009. In the Tabloid Sports activities, the leaders designed a series of fun activities including old favourites such as egg and spoon races, sack races and the popular water balloon and water relay activities.

As a result of the various Orientation activities, students get to know each other so they will recognise some familiar faces at the start of the school year. Some even swap phone numbers to catch up in the holidays. Guided tours conducted by the older students give them "inside information" about facilities so they start to get a feeling for the College places.

At Orientation, it is recognised that parents also need to feel part of the College community. Parents who have students new to the Senior School are welcomed to the College and have a chance to hear about All Saints' activities and get to know each other over morning tea.

The Orientation Days are just the start of the orientation process. There will be many other events organised for the start of 2009 so that students and their parents continue to get to know the College and each other.

Mrs Elizabeth Harrison Transition Program Head of

Lively 'Street Theatre' attracts a crowd

YEARS 7 and 8 students, as well as a few Year 9s, started rehearsing for the Transition Program performance in Term 4.

IN an attempt to introduce different performance styles to the students in 2008 we tried to create more of an 'experience'. The premise was 'Street Theatre'; an informal, traditional performance dating back to Medieval times.

One of the earliest forms of Street Theatre was known as Tableau Vivant, or Moving Picture. It was often seen at weddings and royal celebrations. Suitably costumed performers would silently act out their scenes before an audience.

Our performance in The Common showcased art forms that encompassed acts of all shapes, sizes and types. Bizarre, weird, energetic and unique are buzz words used to describe the All Saints' College students' solo and group performances. The students' work ranged from Shakespearean soliloquies to original mime items.

The challenge...

As well as developing the creative conception and devising original art pieces (a feat in itself) the logistics of Street Theatre necessitate simple costumes and props, and generally there is little or no amplification of sound, with actors depending on their natural vocal and physical ability. This issue with sound meant that physical theatre, including dance, mime and slapstick, was an important aspect for our students in an outdoor setting. Their performances were highly visible, loud and simple to follow in order to attract a crowd.

Mr Steve Roberts Drama Coordinator