From August 26 to 28, St. Clair Catholic's Headstart program welcomed 82 eager incoming Grade 9 students at Ursuline College Chatham (UCC) and St. Patrick's Catholic High School. The program, designed to ease the transition from elementary to secondary school, provided participants with a unique opportunity to build confidence and form early friendships before the school year officially begins.
The Headstart program, which ran each day from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., began with focused sessions on math competency. Under the guidance of dedicated educators from each school, students engaged in numeracy activities that strengthened their mathematical foundations. These sessions aimed to bolster students' confidence in their academic abilities, ensuring they feel prepared to rise to the upcoming challenges of high school coursework.
After a morning snack break, the students moved on to elective programming, where they sampled a variety of subjects to get a taste of high school life. These electives included science, communication technology, aesthetics, physical education, drama, and even sports like rugby. The program's hands-on approach allowed students to explore new interests and discover potential passions in a supportive environment.
Feedback from students highlighted the program's effectiveness in making them feel more comfortable about starting high school. Many expressed that experiencing what high school will be like ahead of time was valuable to them, helped alleviate anxiety, and allowed them to start forming connections with their new peers.
The success of this year's Headstart program is a testament to its role in smoothing the transition to secondary education, with participants reporting a renewed excitement for back to school following the program. As these students step into the new school year, they do so with a sense of preparedness and enthusiasm, thanks to the foundation laid by the Headstart program.
