The start of the school year always brings a mix of chaos, nerves, and familiar faces. Our newest Sacred Heart community members joined us on Monday and have spent the week engaging in various activities aimed wholly at helping their transition be as smooth as possible. For our Year 8s and 9s there was an exciting buzz as they returned full of stories from the holidays, eager to reconnect with friends and teachers. It certainly is a busy time and it is not without a few hiccups here and there. I thank you all for patience and support as we iron out those bumps in preparation for a productive year. One of those 'bumps' often comes in the form of a class list that doesn't look quite the way a student hoped and here are some thoughts on navigating this together.

There I was in Year 8, a new homeroom, none of my friends, and sitting across the room was a student from my primary school who had once made fun of my spiky hair. I was pretty disheartened. I remember asking for my class to be changed, but my parents encouraged me to give it time and do my best with what, at the time, felt like a really difficult situation. I didn’t think that was very fair.

Many years later, I can see things a little differently. The people I was so desperate to be placed with ended up being the kind of influences I’m now grateful I didn’t spend too much time around. And the student who teased me about my hair? He was the best man at my wedding and is still one of my closest friends.

I share this story not because I believe every secondary school homeroom experience leads to lifelong friendships or happy endings like mine. I also completely understand the instinct to step in when your child is feeling anxious or upset about their class placement, particularly during the secondary years, when friendships feel so significant and change can feel overwhelming. That instinct comes from care, and it’s an important part of good parenting.

Our priority is always student wellbeing. We want students to feel safe, supported, and able to engage positively with their learning. If there are genuine wellbeing, safety, or social concerns, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can work through these together.

That said, after many years of working with adolescents, I’ve also come to believe there can be real value in allowing some time for discomfort to settle. Secondary school is a time when young people develop independence, resilience, and the ability to navigate unfamiliar situations. Some of the most important skills they learn during this stage can’t be taught directly, they have to be experienced, with guidance and support.

If your child is worried about their homeroom placement, please do reach out. We want to support them through the transition. In some cases, a class change is the right solution. In others, what initially feels like the wrong placement is simply the challenge of something new and with time, support, and reassurance, that feeling can change. Either way, we’re in this together. Thanks as always for your collaboration and here's to a great 2026!