A Letter to you...

Dear Year Sixes,

I know these times are awfully difficult and I wanted to congratulate you for being so calm about all the things you are going to miss. I can only imagine how you must be feeling missing out on all the wonderful moments that you should be experiencing in your last few weeks of primary school.

I just wanted to do my bit and (hopefully) reassure you and excite you for starting a new academic life at Bishop Justus in September.

I know that starting a new school seems worrying and scary at first, but I PROMISE you that it’s not at all bad. It’s obviously going to be different, going to an entirely new school where instead of being the oldest you are amongst the youngest, but that shouldn’t stop you from being excited about the transition.

In the few weeks leading up to secondary, you WILL be nervous, and that’s perfectly okay. Everyone is! But if everyone in our Bishop Justus community follows our virtues, you will leave your first day feeling both happy and eager to go back.

When you start, feel free to ask anyone for some advice, whether that’s about where a certain room is or something you’re worried about. Everyone will be happy to help you.

Now, my advice for you at the moment would be...

Don’t worry!

As long as you are yourself, you are kind and you are loving, you will excel at Bishop Justus and there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of!

Isabelle - Year 9

Top 10 Tips for New Year 7s Starting Secondary School

1) Follow all of the Bishop Justus values in and out of school.

2) Always treat others how you would like to be treated.

3) Whenever there’s a problem, always tell someone even if it is not the teachers. You can speak to your friends or even your parents.

4) Behave your best whether you are in the playground, in the classrooms, in the lunch hall or the corridors and even at home.

5) Always wear the correct uniform.

6) Never talk over the teacher or your school mates; always remember to put your hands up.

7) If you ever need help, never be scared to ask.

8) Whenever you have a question, always ask.

9) Always stick up for yourself and others.

10) Always challenge yourself even if you don’t believe you can do it because you can.

The main reason I chose to do this challenge is because, in September,my brother will be starting as a new year 7 and I will be in year 8.

Tia P - Year 9

Hello new year 7s, I hope you are all well. In this guide, I will be sharing my top tips for you, as I know the first year can be a slight struggle.

It will probably be a bit more overwhelming than usual, due to the situation we are facing. However, I hope that these tips take your minds off of things.

1. Don’t change who you are for friends

To make friends is a good and natural part of growing up, however, you should never change who you are as a person or do things that you don’t want to do for them.

I learnt this in many ways. When I acted like myself, some people just didn’t click with me and I felt I had to pretend to like similar things to them or do something for them, just so that they would like me.

However, throughout this year I have found people who have accepted me for me.

These are the best type of friends.

2. Be prepared

I don’t want to sound like a teacher telling you to “have this” and “do that”, but I found that the period I went through of not being prepared or as concentrated, definitely brought me down a little.

During quarantine, I was being more productive, waking up early, snacking less, reading more and overall trying to be calmer and do more of the things I like.

At first, you may be thinking, that sounds a little boring, and that you don't want to do that - and that is what I thought too!

When trying to be more productive it was hard, there were times where I just wanted to curl up in bed and play games all day. But that didn’t get me anywhere.

So next time you are not feeling like you are up for reaching your full potential, just try in small steps to be productive - whether eating healthier, using less electronics, getting more sleep, or re organising your room.

Even drinking more water instead of sugary drinks, will make you feel better.

3. Popularity is not the most important thing

To be part of a large group or in a popular group at school isn’t the most important thing.

If people like you for who you (and only you) are, then you have real friends.

But if you are being someone different to your true self to become part of a particular group, then your friendships will never be true. The most popular children at school do not always become the most successful people when they are adults. No one is perfect. We are all human.

You see, every living thing has its flaws. These flaws make who you are. So be 100% you and embrace every single one of your differences.