Advertorial
Transitioning Your Tween to High School
Starting high school is a huge, exciting, yet sometimes scary milestone. The jump from being a senior in primary school to a Year 7 student at high school can be a daunting prospect for both boys and their parents. Ignatius Park College has created a transition program to cater specifically for the needs of boys. Year 6 students who are enrolled at the College for the following year are invited to join the Phoenix Flyers a program named after the College’s symbolic icon of the Phoenix. The boys participate in a wide range of activities throughout the year to get to know their potential classmates for the following year, helping to ease them into the transition from primary school to high school. As the only all-boys school in Townsville, the College is uniquely placed to support boys as they develop into young men. Upon arriving at the College, boys become part of the Iggy Brotherhood – a strong connection shared by all Iggy men – whether a current or past student, that will carry them through the rest of their lives.
The exceptional Pastoral system provides a strong foundation for both boys and their families. Building group identity and positive identification within the group is a central focus of Pastoral care at Ignatius Park College, and the team strives to ensure the students in their care feel a sense of belonging and respect within the College community. Students are placed in one of seven Pastoral Houses with a Pastoral Leader whose role, assisted by Homeroom Teachers, is to provide support to the students and families in their care. Younger students are also guided by the older students, to show them the ‘Iggy way’ and help navigate the transition to high school. Ignatius Park College understands that boys need structure and guidance in order to thrive in their transition to high school. Principal, Mr Shaun Clarke, explains, “Iggy is proudly dedicated to boys. Our routines and curriculum are carefully structured to allow maximum personal growth within an environment tailored specifically to cater for boys’ spiritual, academic, physical and emotional development.”
www.pakmag.com.au | March 2020 23
