Kildare College welcomed more than 200 new students across Year 7 and Year 8 through the gates this year.
The decision by Catholic Education to transition Year 7 from primary to secondary school has seen the regular annual intake for the College double in 2019. The Year 7 students will have the opportunity to access specialist teachers in elective subjects and be taught in specialist areas.
“We have been planning and preparing for this day, and are very ready to welcome the new students and their families to the College community,” said Margaret Rouggos, Principal.
To ensure the wellbeing of the students, Kildare has held several transition activities including primary school visits, College visits, and orientation days. This has ensured each student is physically and emotionally ready for their commencement at their new school. Staff have also completed various professional development sessions with local and international educators, and received mentoring from their Primary School peers in readiness and preparation.
In 2018 the College introduced a vision for the Middle Years, which focuses on the concepts of Challenge, Inspire and Act.
Margaret Rouggos, Principal, says “The vision guides and shapes a new way forward for the College that responds to our changing world and the challenges, needs and developing maturity of emerging adolescents. The vision provides a broad, connected teaching and learning program which engenders a spirit of inquiry and fosters creative and critical thinking.”
The College has also developed their Masterplan, spending $4.5m on the Brigidine Centre, a multi-purpose sports, dance, music and classroom space. Existing learning spaces have also been refurbished.
Margaret Rouggos, Principal, says “this project is aligned with the College’s five year Master Plan, and is a fundamental stage in our planned development to ensure that Kildare College provides contemporary learning spaces to facilitate our increasing enrolments and the introduction of Year 7 in 2019."
