Student perspectives on positive transitions at Lake Illawarra High School
Chloe
In primary school, I thought high school would be scary. My name’s Chloe.
Chelsea
My name’s Chelsea.
Chloe and Chelsea
And we are sisters at Lake Illawarra High school.
Chloe
Say sisters.
Chelsea
I said sisters.
Jenny Perry
Here at Lake Illawarra High School, we are really, really proud of our transition programs. We have a fluid and flexible model of transition with our feeder primary schools.
Jasmin Butler
So when they get here, they all feel comfortable, they know people and they just feel a bit safer about coming to school.
Aunty Denise
It's got to be a commitment between the schools, ourselves and the community.
Chelsea
I got opportunities to visit high school from the gala days, that's how I met most of my friends.
Nicole Riley
For the past four years, the kids have come up to the high school for two weeks. It takes away some of that anxiety for the next year as well. They really know people within the school.
Chelsea
It was a lot easier coming to Lake Illawarra High School knowing that like, all my siblings have been here. I always looked up to my sister because I knew she was a safe place, when I was coming to high school. I was most looking forward to doing more cultural stuff and meeting like all the new teachers.
Chloe
There's a lot of ways we celebrate culture through our school.
Chelsea
My favourite way celebrating culture at school is probably the singing and dancing because it shows like more expressions.
Jenny Perry
We have a number of ways our students are able to engage in culture. One of the ways that we're really proud of is our Black Swans, who've been a singing group based at the school for over 8 years now. Students have written the songs that they sing and that is passed down not only through generations of our kids, but through generations of families.
Chelsea
I feel excited to teach the primary kids when they come into Lake Illawarra High School because they can go home, tell their parents about the background culture story of it.
Chloe
I feel proud about showing young ones how to be also proud of their culture.
Students
This is My Future, My Culture, My Way.
[End transcript]
Who are we?
I'm Chloe, and I'm in Year 10. And I'm Chelsea, and I'm in Year 7 – and we are sisters from Lake Illawarra High School. Coming to high school can be scary, but Lake Illawarra has helped us grow. Aunty Denise has helped us connect to culture and become leaders of culture at the school.
Primary school expectations and high school reality
In primary school, I thought high school would be scary because of the older students. I was nervous about going but I liked knowing that my older siblings would be here as a safe space and support network. I’m glad that we had opportunities to visit the school before starting Year 7, and that really helped.
Positive transition at Lake Illawarra High School
Lake Illawarra High School has implemented a structured transition program in partnership with its feeder schools, focused on creating a welcoming environment for students. Primary and secondary staff work closely together to understand each student and what their academic and wellbeing needs are.
“We got opportunities to come visit Lake Illawarra High School through gala days and events. That's how I met most of my friends.” says Chelsea.
These interactions help students get familiar with the school environment, reducing the anxiety associated with starting high school.
Cultural connection and community involvement
A key feature of the transition program is its cultural inclusivity. Aboriginal Education Officer (AEO) Aunty Denise plays a central role in helping students connect with their culture.
Aunty Denise helps us celebrate our culture. She supports us through tough times, helps us with schoolwork, and teaches us about our cultural identity.
The school regularly incorporates cultural activities, including NAIDOC Week celebrations, singing, painting, and storytelling.
“We have a mural at the school. I painted it, and now it’s a part of our school. It makes me feel proud knowing that it's something I contributed to that will be here even after I graduate,” says Chelsea.
Older students as role models
Having older siblings at the same school has helped me come to high school. I always looked up to my older sister. She was a safe space for me when I started high school. The leadership opportunities given to older students allow them to model positive behavior and cultural pride for the younger students. Being a leader in culture is important. It shows that I’ve done something at this school that will stay here for a long time.
The impact of positive transitions
The transition program at Lake Illawarra has significantly impacted students like Chloe and Chelsea. They have formed friendships, connected with their culture, and gained a sense of belonging. "Being connected to culture helps me when I’m feeling down," Chelsea explains. "I can talk to Aunty Denise, do some painting, and it clears my mind."
Key takeaways
Lake Illawarra High School’s transition program, with its focus on cultural inclusivity and community support, demonstrates how thoughtful planning and active involvement from staff, students, and the community can make a world of difference in easing students’ transition into high school. By providing leadership opportunities, fostering cultural pride, and involving key role models like Aunty Denise, Lake Illawarra High School creates a safe, supportive space where Aboriginal students like Chloe and Chelsea can thrive.
Want to know more?
Visit My Future, My Culture, My Way, follow the Department of Education on social media, talk to your school, or contact your local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG).