Manji kids ready for high school
ENROLMENTS have surged at Bridgetown High School in 2015 as it welcomes Year 7 students for the first time.
Principal Steve Bullied said 54 children started Year 7 at the school on Monday.
In total, the school has 194 students, up from 148 last year.
"We have also had 20 enrolments we weren't expecting from other States and countries, including children from Tasmania and New Zealand," he said.
While the transition was a big one for Year 7 students, he said, the school also had 35 new Year 8 students, the last to complete Year 7 in the primary system.
"This year all around the State we've got two cohorts starting high school at the same time," he said.
About half the children starting Year 7 are now 13, with most of the others turning 13 before July under the 'half cohort' change introduced 12 years ago.
Manjimup Senior High has 69 Year 7 students with another 86 starting Year 8. Principal Kerry Mather said bringing Year 7 into the high school system aligned WA's public school system with the private sector and schools in other States.
"The primary school staff say Year 7s are very ready to make that transition, so all we're doing is bringing it forward a little bit because they are that six months older," she said.
Mr Bullied agreed that the children were ready for the change.
