Year 6 into 7 Transition to Senior School Day
Details for current St Mary's Year 6 students moving to the Senior School in 2027: the Transition to Senior School Day on Thursday 15 October 2026, what the day involves, what to wear and bring, the parent session and how it connects with Orientation Day on Tuesday 24 November.
Around two-thirds of our Year 7 students each year come from our own Junior School. Even though they already know the campus, moving from the Junior School to the Senior School is a real change: a new gate, new bells, a locker, a laptop, ten teachers instead of one, and a much bigger cohort. The Transition to Senior School Day on Thursday 15 October 2026 is designed specifically for current St Mary's Year 6 students, so that when they attend Orientation Day with all the new students on Tuesday 24 November they can be the ones who already know the way. The day is run by Year 7 Coordinator Mr Nick Papadopoulos with Year 6 Coordinator Mrs Karen Fitzgerald.
The day at a glance
| Time | Activity | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15am–8:35am | Arrive at the Senior gate (not the Junior gate) — greeted by Year 10 buddies | Chapel Road |
| 8:40am | Senior Homeroom experience with a Year 7 Homeroom teacher; roll, prayer, notices | Senior classrooms |
| 8:55am | Period 1: Science practical in the laboratories | Science Centre |
| 9:55am | Period 2: Italian taster lesson | Languages rooms |
| 10:55am–11:20am | Recess in the Senior yard with buddies; The Harbour Café open | Senior yard |
| 11:20am | Period 3: Locker and laptop walkthrough; Learning Hub log-in practice | Library |
| 12:20pm | Period 4: House activity and Senior sport taster | Sports Centre |
| 1:20pm–2:05pm | Lunch with buddies | Senior yard |
| 2:05pm | Period 5: "Ask Year 7 Anything" panel with current Year 7 students, then reflection | Hall |
| 3:25pm | Dismissal from the Senior gate (or return to Junior OSHC/buses as usual) | Chapel Road |
Students follow the Senior School bell times for the whole day, including the 8:40am start and 3:25pm finish, and are not on the Junior School timetable. Junior School Friday sport is unaffected.
Parent information session — 9:00am–9:45am, Library
Parents of Year 6 students are invited to a short session with Mr Tom Brennan, Head of Senior School, and Mr Papadopoulos while the students are in Period 1. Topics: what changes between Year 6 and Year 7 (Homeroom, timetable, lockers, Learning Hub, homework), the laptop program and Device Collection Day, buses and the Senior Kiss-and-Drop times, uniform changes, and how we place students in Homerooms. There is time for questions. No RSVP is needed; tea and coffee provided. Parents who cannot attend can watch the recording on the Parent Portal from Friday 16 October.
What to wear and bring
- Junior School winter uniform (Term 4 begins on Monday 5 October, so summer uniform and hat apply — please wear the Junior summer uniform and navy wide-brim hat).
- School bag with a pencil case, a notebook, drink bottle, snack and lunch (or lunch money — the Café is open all day to Senior students).
- No laptop is needed; students use Library devices to practise the Learning Hub.
- Any regular medication as usual; Junior School medical records carry over.
Homeroom and buddy placement
Year 6 students meet their Year 10 buddy on this day. Buddies are matched by House, so siblings' House membership is maintained and every student already has a familiar older face at the Senior gate on the first day of 2027. Homeroom groups are announced on Orientation Day; students may nominate one friend on the Year 7 placement form, which Mrs Fitzgerald sends home on Monday 12 October 2026 and which is due back by Friday 23 October.
Uniform changes for Year 7
Junior School uniform items that continue into Year 7: navy jumper, navy wide-brim hat, sport uniform, school shoes. New for Year 7: the Senior white short-sleeve shirt or white blouse (summer), navy tailored shorts or skirt (girls, summer), the navy blazer and tie for winter, and the tartan kilt or navy trousers. The Uniform Shop runs Year 7 fitting appointments on Orientation Day and through November — book via the Parent Portal; see Uniform Shop and Second-hand Uniform for P&F sales.
How this day fits the wider transition program
| Date | Event | For |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 26 August 2026, 7:00pm | Year 7 2027 Information Evening, Hall | All incoming families (St Mary's Year 6 families included) |
| Thursday 15 October 2026 | Transition to Senior School Day | St Mary's Year 6 students only |
| Friday 16 October 2026, 7:00pm | Year 6 Confirmation, St Mary of the Cross Church | Year 6 candidates |
| Tuesday 24 November 2026, 9:00am–2:30pm | Year 7 2027 Orientation Day | All incoming Year 7 students |
| Wednesday 9 December 2026, 6:00pm | Year 6 Graduation, Hall | Year 6 students and families |
| Friday 22 January 2027 | Device Collection Day | All Year 7 2027 families |
| Wednesday 27 January 2027 | First day of Year 7 | All Year 7 2027 students |
Full details are on Year 7 Transition, Laptop Program (BYOD) and Year 6 Graduation.
Students with additional needs
Learning Diversity Leader Mr Sam Devlin and Junior School Counsellor Ms Alana Ford hold a handover meeting with Senior School Counsellor Mr Chris Nguyen and the Year 7 team in November for every student with a Personalised Learning Plan or wellbeing support. Families are invited to a transition meeting in the week of Monday 9 November 2026 and may request an extra small-group visit to the Senior School. Contact Mr Devlin through the Junior Office.
Questions
Year 6 families should direct questions to Mrs Karen Fitzgerald (Junior Office) or Mr Nick Papadopoulos (Senior Office, (03) 9555 0100). Confirmation of continuing enrolment into Year 7 was completed in Term 2; any family yet to return the Year 7 Continuing Enrolment Form should contact the Registrar, Mrs Kate O'Brien, on (03) 9555 0120.