Cheering, dancing and high fives met the Centre Wellington District High School class of 2020 as students arrived for orientation day on Aug. 31.
The school held its 10th annual Grade 9 orientation day the Wednesday before school began to help new students feel more comfortable on their first day of high school on Sept. 6.
“We understand it’s a huge step,” said co-organizing teacher Carly McFarlane.
Along with fellow teachers Deirdre Lawler and Elizabeth Wood, McFarlane planned an orientation day that involved a fanfare welcome, time-table distribution, trust activities and small groups that allowed Grade 9 students to get to know each other as well as their Link leaders and their new school.
Link leaders are Grade 11 and 12 students who volunteer to mentor Grade 9s and take time out of their summer vacation to train for orientation day.
“When I first started Grade 9 I was so nervous and I didn’t know who anyone was, besides the people from my old school, and with the Link leaders [I was introduced] to more people,” said Grade 11 student and first time Link leader Kelsy Lyons. “So I want to help the Grade 9s this year, break them out of their shell I guess to help them find new friends.”
Lyons’ twin sister Katherine said she wanted to be a Link leader because she already has new students asking her for advice.
“I want to do this because there’s so many Grade 9s who have been texting me so scared about coming into high school and they want to know anything they can and I’ve helped them out a lot,” Katherine said.
“There’s been so many people who have texted me and I really want them to feel welcome and comfortable in our school so they don’t think it’s this huge school that has a million bullies, it’s not that.”
On the first day of school Link leaders were to wear their blue shirts so Grade 9s could easily identify them if they are looking for advice or guidance.
