Buddies is a transition program that assists Grade 9 students as they adjust to high school. Each Grade 9 is assigned a Grade 11 or 12 "Buddy" that will be their mentor throughout their Grade 9 year. Buddies run a variety of programming throughout the year, beginning with an orientation before school begins. They will make frequent classroom visits to check in with the grade 9s and ensure that they are doing well. The Buddies will create a group chat with their 3 to 5 grade 9s, where they will update the group on upcoming events, as well as respond to general questions! Buddies can be found in their signature "blue shirts" as shown on the right.
The House program is Lawrence Park's newly launched initiative that divides the school into four main houses: Onca, Pardus, Leo, and Tigris. Each year, the new grade 9 class will be initiated into one of these houses and will be a member of this team for the next four years of high school. The House program, while having its own events such as Colour Wars, is a method of engaging students in all kinds of programs. Students can earn points for their houses individually by participating in various events. Bigger events will give students more points, while smaller events will give the team fewer. All points are frequently updated on the House Point Scoreboard.
Headstart to Highschool is an event that takes place a week before school begins. Designed for the incoming Grade 9's, it offers them an opportunity to meet fellow classmates and Buddies in the school, to meet some of their teachers, and notably, to get to know their way around the school. The Buddies run games outside, such as "Squirt" and "Where the Westwind Blows", and games inside such as "Charades" as well as "Blooket". The Grade 9's are taken on a tour of the school, hitting important places such as the library, cafeteria, gym, washrooms, but also some of their classrooms for the semester. H2H is a great way for grade 9's to ease their way into Lawrence Park.
Towards the begin of the school year, the Buddies take the grade 9s on excursion to Robinhood Outdoor center. Here, grade 9s have an entire day to bond in a non-school environment. They will participate in activities such as an amazing race, high ropes, rock climbing, archery, and so much more.
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