Year 7 Transition & Curriculum

From Primary School to Secondary School

Transition Process

The transition from primary school to secondary school is an exciting time for students. The introduction to the secondary setting at the College is filled with many experiences new to the girls and their families. The transition program planned for incoming Year 7 students begins during the year preceding their entry to Loreto College and extends well into their first year at Loreto College. Our experienced Year 7 Transition Team head the transition process and base programs and processes on the principles of middle school best practice.

During Term 4, the orientation process begins. For some students, additional transition experiences are specifically planned. The Transition Team at Loreto College recognises that some students will benefit from attending Making Connections Day held during November each year. On this occasion, selected students, including those coming from rural or distant primary schools are given the opportunity to spend an introductory day meeting students coming from similar circumstances prior to the day when all new Year 7 students attend.

All enrolled students are invited to attend Orientation Day; a carefully planned and structured introduction to the secondary experience conducted in early December.

Year 7 Classes

Each year there are six Year 7 classes, each with 26 students. All Year 7 classes are mixed ability groups. Teachers develop units of work and associated learning strategies in the knowledge that each class will have students of all ability levels.

Year 7 Camp

An Orientation Camp is held in Term One. The Camp allows students in the same class to have a shared experience with the other new Year 7 students and many of their Year 7 teachers. The activities during the Camp are used to introduce Year 7 students to each other and to build House identity. The Camp runs over two days and includes one night away. The purpose of the camp is: 

  • To help the girls feel more readily part of the Loreto Community that they have recently joined
  • To provide an opportunity for them to get to know their many fellow Year 7 students
  • To reflect on attitudes that will allow them to gain and give their most during their years at Loreto
  • To consider the responsibility they have as Christians to care for each other
  • To introduce aspects of the Felicitous Life Program in relation to their personal character strengths.

For further information on getting started at Loreto, please refer to the Year 7 & 8 Curriculum Handbook below.

Year 7 Curriculum

At Loreto, Year 7 students undertake ten subjects with six periods a day (50 minutes periods) across a fortnightly timetable. The 60-period fortnight also includes two periods of Mentor Group, one per week. 

Year 7 Curriculum Handbook