Big Sister Program
The program aims to craft a welcoming and supportive transition for Year 7 students entering a new school environment. Our Year 10 students gain skills in leadership, mentoring and communication with their peers.
The Year 10 students involved commit to a 12-month formal role as a Big Sister. In Year 9, students complete an application process to be selected to participate in the program. Big Sisters successfully attain formal training and supervised experience in group work and mentoring. They receive ongoing training in Peer Support and give up much of their spare time to plan and implement various activities during Orientation Days, Camp, lunchtime catch-ups, and Care Education lessons.
Activities Big Sisters may implement include organising team-building activities, conducting small transition workshops and planning an afterschool games evening. Big Sisters promote the St Mary’s ethos and culture amongst younger peers and provide feedback to staff about specific needs for Year 7 students.
