Strathcona. Bring out her best.

Our Big Sister–Little Sister Program allows older girls to spend valuable time with younger students. Our girls learn and develop through the time spent with each other … it’s an experience they never forget.

Big Sister Program

We want our girls to feel safe and valued during their school years. There are many opportunities for Strathcona students to gain this feeling through interacting with and relying on each other.

Our girls don’t just talk to each other—they help each other. By participating in programs designed to bring older and younger girls together, our students are able to gain confidence and a sense of security throughout their entire school experience. They also learn communication and personal skills that will equip them for life.

Year 11 students share art and craft activities with Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 girls. Pre-Prep to Year 1 have fun in the water with Year 10 girls. Year 6 and Year 5 take on the role of “buddy” to Pre-Prep and Prep. The relationships which form help our girls to find their own place within the Strathcona school community. Similarly, our Peer Support Program has an important role to play in assisting Year 7 girls in the transition to Senior School. The emphasis here is also on personal development, with Year 7 girls paired with Year 11 students from the same House. Older students undertake specialist leadership training to maximise the benefits of the BigSister–Little Sister and Peer Support Programs.

Strathcona stands at the forefront of peer counselling. We understand that our girls will occasionally wish to speak to other students about issues that concern them. Peer Counselling encourages girls to confide in respected students. Students in Years 7 to 12 have been chosen for this special role by their peers and trained in the skills they need.

Strathcona also provides an opportunity for its Mellor House girls to communicate and interact with children from other schools. For example, Strathcona/Trinity Grammar Buddy Program brings together Prep to Year 2 students from both schools. It is a great opportunity for children to take part in a variety of activities and experience gender interaction.