YEAR 7 ORATORY REPORT
YEAR 7 REPORT Miss Christina Romano | Year 7 Coordinator With oversized bags, timid faces and genteel greetings, the Year 7 cohort of 2020 started the year eager for the high school experience, and brilliantly sailed the ebbs and flows that come along with being new students at a school. The year began with the infamous Camp Rumbug, which gave students an opportunity to become familiar with their Oratory teachers and establish lasting friendships. Despite some tears and homesick hearts, the students embraced new challenges, and participated in orienteering, canoeing and archery in the muddy country terrain. Overall, I know the cohort will reflect on Camp Rumbug for years to come with fond memories. In Term One, students warmed to the various College events, including the house sporting carnivals, where they ardently participated in friendly house competitions, quickly becoming impassioned supporters of their houses. In Term Two the cohort demonstrated immense resilience and independence through the remote learning period, as they took responsibility for their learning, keeping up with assessment tasks and meeting due dates. The remote learning journey wasn’t always plain sailing, but I was incredibly proud of the Year 7s and the way that they managed this challenging experience. In reflecting on their experiences of remote learning, students responded to the question ‘What do I appreciate?’ Some of their responses included “the help offered by my teachers,” “time with my friends at school” and “my family.” Overall, the students acknowledged that
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they improved their organisation skills and developed an appreciation for the simple things in life. The 2020 school year and various Year 7 events were mostly virtual. Despite this, the students welcomed a host of activities and events for Don Bosco’s Oratory Week, such as the various Oratory challenges, including weekly quizzes and bake-offs. When it came to returning to school, the students were thrilled to be back, and settled into the classroom with ease. Building positive relationships was a central theme for the year as Year 7s navigated their social circles and developed an understanding of what constitutes a positive relationship. This was the focus during the Years 7 and 11 Mentoring Program, which was a feature of Term One. Furthermore, the Mother and Son Evening was also a celebration of the positive relationships the boys have with their mothers or important female mentors in their lives. Despite this event being virtual, the boys and their respective parents or mentors thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I know that the cohort of 2020 are prepared for any challenge that may come their way in the years to come, and they have certainly learnt more about themselves and others through this experience. I am incredibly proud of everything the boys have achieved this year, and I wish them every success as they continue on their high school journey, now with a more confident presence and a few centimetres taller. All the very best, boys!
