Our Year 7 Hub is a purpose-designed model that provides a smooth, supported, and responsive transition into secondary school. Grounded in evidence-based middle years best practice, the Hub places strong pastoral care, relationship-building, and a gradual release of responsibility at the centre of the Year 7 experience. High expectations are paired with high levels of support to ensure every student feels confident, connected, and ready to learn.
Located in a dedicated block, the Year 7 Hub features three flexible learning spaces that can be opened into one large collaborative area or adapted for small-group learning. Students also enjoy access to a vibrant outdoor play area, including new climbing equipment, a generous undercover space with table tennis, and a beautifully landscaped green area. Lockers are positioned directly outside classrooms, creating a safe, open, and welcoming environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging — a place that truly feels like home.
The Hub also supports our 1-to-1 Digital Device Program, with secure charging bays located within each Homeroom. Teachers intentionally integrate digital tools into learning to build digital literacy, while actively guiding and supporting safe, responsible, and productive digital behaviours.
Each Year 7 class is supported by a core Homeroom Teacher who teaches across several key learning areas, including English, Mathematics, Science, HASS, and Religion. Our dedicated core teaching team — Ms Chelsea Alderton, Mr Yoshi Hunter, and Ms Zoe Jess — work closely with their Homeroom classes to provide consistency, stability, and strong pastoral care. This structure strengthens relationships between students, teachers, and families, helping students build confidence as they navigate secondary school life. As students grow in confidence, they attend specialist subjects across the wider College, gradually developing independence at a developmentally appropriate pace. The Year 7 cohort is led by our Head of Year 7, Ms Cara Webling, who works closely with students, families, and staff to ensure every child feels known, supported, and empowered to thrive.
With its strong focus on wellbeing, purposeful design, and engaging learning environments, the Year 7 Hub offers a vibrant and nurturing beginning to secondary school life at St Mary’s College — where academic excellence and student wellbeing go hand in hand.
