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Posted on September 20th 2018
Meet Year 7 New Starters at HBAED
We asked five Year 7 students to tell us about their first weeks at Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich. What’s it been like and how are they settling in?
“The biggest difference to primary school is the work,” said Ty-Rhys. “It’s harder and makes your brain work. But actually my favourite lesson is Maths because it works my brain more.” Dylan's favourite lesson is science. “It’s really cool because you can go to science club and do experiments,” he says. “Yesterday we did a density tower and it was really good.
Year 7 students Mohammed, Abdulahi, Ty-Rhys, Joshua and Dylan talk about making friends, their favourite lessons and the difference between primary and secondary school.
Making friends
The five all came from different primary schools - Oliver Goldsmiths, Brunswick Park, Goose Green, Rathfern and Heber – but have all managed to make new friends. “I was a bit nervous about making friends but it’s been easier than I thought it would be,” says Abdulahi.
Joshua says: “When I first came I was sort of in between excited and nervous but making friends has been quite easy for me through sport, because I’ve met a lot of boys who like sport.”
Mohammed was a bit worried because two of his best friends from primary school didn’t come to Harris Boys’ Academy East Dulwich. But he’s made new friends he says. “I met this boy and we’ve helped each other. I’ve helped him and he’s helped me with things like finding classrooms.”
"My favourite lesson is Maths because it works my brain.” Ty-Rhys (right).
Settled and supported
To help new students settle in we organise a ‘visit day’ in July so that students become familiar with the building and get to know some of the teachers.
“Then on the first day of term it’s just Year 7 in the school so they have a chance to settle in and meet their form tutors,” says Carla Price, Associate Assistant Principal and Year 7 Lead. “We make sure all the students feel settled and supported. Sometimes it’s through small touches, for example, like making sure we have extra basketballs and footballs in the playground to make sure everyone can play and get to know each other.”
More responsibility
At secondary school you have to take more responsibility, says Abdulahi. “For example at primary school we had allocated pegs or lockers but in secondary school you have to take care of your stuff yourself, so it’s not like you can put it anywhere and slack off for a bit.”
Wearing the uniform is different too. “It’s heavier for a start!” says Joshua, while Mohammed says he's making extra effort to look smart. “My cousin comes here and he told me if your shirt is not tucked in you get detention so I was checking my shirt all the time!”
“My cousin comes here and he told me if your shirt is not tucked in you get detention so I was checking my shirt all the time!” Mohammed
Work and Fun
Mohammed's favourite lesson is dance, “because the teacher is fun so we do work but we also have fun,” he says. Joshua agrees that school can be fun."You can have fun in lessons as well as work," he says. “You balance it out. You work and then you have the fun when the work is done.”
They all admit it took a little while to find their way around their new school. “It was a bit hard at first,” says Ty-Rhys. “I got lost twice trying to find my lesson but now it's easier. The hardest thing for me has been learning to tie my tie in the morning. My uncle had to show me how to do it.”
And they agree on one very important point: the school meals are good. “I like it on a Wednesday especially because we have roast,” says Abdulahi. Joshua prefers packed lunch. “If you bring your own dinner you don’t have to wait in line so it saves time,” he says.
So what are the boys most looking forward to about the rest of Year 7? “The trips,” says Abdulahi. “Especially if there are any residential trips that mean we get to stay away.”
We're really proud of how all our Year 7 students are settling in. Well done everyone!
