Banora students strive for success
BANORA Point High School students are breaking ground with a host of activities set to make it one of the top schools in the state.
With a strong and motivated Student Representative Council (SRC) with representatives from all years, students brainstorm on a daily basis for ideas to improve their school.
"We're already doing very well academically and in sports," said Year 9's Laura Kyle.
"Our debating teams always reach the regional and state finals," she said.
The open girls' softball team came third in the state recently.
But school life goes beyond the set curriculum and sports.
"We're working on a number of projects to improve the social culture of the school," Laura said.
Not too many peer groups at school tackle teenage problems head-on, but the SRC has a variety of projects to tackle those common high school problems like bullying, teenage depression, teenage pregnancy and body image, to name a few.
"We also have a beautification program," Laura said.
"The plan is to create gardens and replace graffiti with more positive creative projects."
The emphasis is on mentoring.
Creating interaction between year groups lets older kids set an example to younger students.
"We have a mentoring program with Centaur Primary School where students engage in reading activities," Laura said.
"Programs like this help the transition from primary school to Year 7 at high school.
"It paves the way so they are familiar with the school and see familiar faces when they enrol at high school."
Year 7 students are part of a middle school program where teachers concentrate on them much like in primary school.
"It's very important that new students feel safe and happy and social interaction is a big part of that," Laura said.
The school has a number of projects on the drawing board and My Daily News will keep on track as they happen.
