Year 7 Transition Program

Starting secondary school is one of the biggest steps a child takes, and St Mary's College runs a year-long transition program so that every Year 7 student in 2027 arrives knowing their way around, knowing some friendly faces and knowing what is expected of them. Our Year 7 Coordinator, Mr Nick Papadopoulos, leads the program with the Year 7 Homeroom teachers. Students coming from our own Junior School have an additional Year 6 into 7 Transition Day on Thursday 15 October 2026.

Key dates for Year 7 2027

Information Evening — Wednesday 26 August 2026

Held in Mary MacKillop Hall from 7:00pm, the Information Evening is for families of all students starting Year 7 in 2027, whether they are coming from our Junior School or from another primary school. Principal Dr Helen Carmody, Head of Senior School Mr Tom Brennan and Mr Papadopoulos will cover the Year 7 curriculum, Homeroom and House structure, the laptop program, uniform, buses and the transition timeline. The evening finishes with a Q&A and a chance to meet the Homeroom teachers over tea and coffee. Students are welcome to attend. Parking is available in the Chapel Road car park after 6:30pm; please do not use the staff car park. No RSVP is needed.

Orientation Day — Tuesday 24 November 2026

All students starting Year 7 in 2027 spend a full day with us from 9:00am to 2:30pm. Students should arrive at the Senior gate on Chapel Road between 8:45am and 9:00am, where staff and Year 10 buddies will be waiting.

• Wear: current primary school uniform, or neat casual clothes and a hat if your school has finished for the year. Bring a drink bottle, snack and lunch (or $10 to buy lunch at The Harbour Café).
• The day: meet Homeroom teacher and Homeroom group, campus tour, taster lessons in Science and Italian, House activity in the Sports Centre, lunch with buddies.
• Parents: a short information session runs from 9:15am to 10:00am in the Library for parents who wish to stay, covering the Learning Hub, Parent Portal and Uniform Shop. The Uniform Shop is open from 9:00am to 2:30pm on the day for fittings; please book a fitting through the Parent Portal.
• Parents collect students from the Senior gate at 2:30pm.

Students with additional learning needs are invited to an extra small-group visit in early November; Learning Diversity Leader Mr Sam Devlin contacts these families directly once enrolment paperwork is received.

The buddy program

Each Year 7 student is paired with a Year 10 buddy from the same House. Buddies meet on Orientation Day, greet their student on the first morning, eat lunch together during the first week and check in at Homeroom every Friday during Term 1. Buddies complete peer support training in Term 4 and are supervised by Mr Papadopoulos and the Year 10 Coordinator, Mrs Sarah Donnelly.

Laptops

Year 7 students bring their own laptop under our BYOD program. Orders placed through the College Device Portal by Friday 4 December 2026 are delivered to the College for collection, set-up and Wi-Fi connection on Device Collection Day, Friday 22 January 2027, 9:00am–3:00pm in the Library. Families who already own a suitable device can bring it on Collection Day to be checked and connected. Full specifications, approved models and insurance options are on the Laptop Program (BYOD) page.

The first day — Wednesday 27 January 2027

Year 7 and Year 12 are the only year levels at school on the first day, so the campus is quiet and the focus is entirely on our newest students.

• Arrive between 8:15am and 8:35am at the Senior gate; staff and buddies will direct students to the Hall for a welcome from Mr Brennan before students go to Homeroom at 9:00am.
• Wear full summer uniform including the navy wide-brim hat, and black leather lace-up shoes. Sport uniform is not worn on the first day.
• Bring the laptop (fully charged), a pencil case, exercise books as listed on the booklist, lunch or lunch money, and a drink bottle. Lockers are allocated on the first morning; a combination lock is supplied by the College.
• Timetables are issued in Homeroom and appear on the Learning Hub that afternoon.
• Normal dismissal is 3:25pm. College buses run from the first day; bus passes are ordered via the Parent Portal — see School Buses and Transport.

Years 8 to 11 start the following day, Thursday 28 January 2027.

Welcome Retreat — Thursday 11 February 2027

The Year 7 Welcome Retreat is a full day held in St Mary of the Cross Church and the Hall precinct, led by College Chaplain Sr Bernadette Long rsj with the Homeroom teachers. Students explore the story of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, our motto Lumen in Tenebris, and build their Homeroom community through games, reflection and a shared lunch (provided). Students wear sport uniform; there is no cost. See Retreats.

Common questions

• Can my child be in a Homeroom with a friend? Families may nominate one friend on the enrolment form. We place students so that everyone has at least one familiar face, and balance groups across primary schools and Houses.
• What about siblings? Siblings are placed in the same House.
• How much homework? Around 60 minutes per night in Years 7 and 8 — see the Homework Policy.
• Who do I contact with a worry? The Homeroom teacher first, then Mr Papadopoulos through the Senior Office on (03) 9555 0100.

For enrolment enquiries contact the Registrar, Mrs Kate O'Brien, on (03) 9555 0120 or enrol@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au — see Year 7 2027 enrolment.