With school starting soon, new year 7 students are preparing to move from primary to secondary school.
It’s a big transition, but one that is so common it often goes unnoticed, except at Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community (LJAC) centre.
LJAC manager and civil celebrant Karen Ingram has been running milestone ceremonies for incoming year 7 students for 15 years and is doing so again on Saturday 17 January.
Ms Ingram said while milestone ceremonies often have religious connections, this hasn’t always been the case.
“When we think about a ceremony, there is usually a coming together of people, an intention, and acknowledging that a person or a group are moving from one stage to the next,” Ms Ingram said.
“There is reflection on what has passed, and looking forward to the next steps”
She said the transition from primary to secondary school was an important part of growing up and deserved to be recognised.
“When a young person finishes primary school, to some extent they are the big fish in a little pond.
“Many have spent years in that same familiar environment, which, along with getting older, to being the oldest of the students at the school, it’s likely these “big fish” know what’s what in their little pond.
“Then they ready themselves for life in a much bigger pond, secondary school.
It is true you can be excited and nervous at the same time and this time can be a significant milestone for young people, who now may see themselves as little fish, all over again.”
Details: https://events.humanitix.com/milestone-ceremony-from-primary-to-secondary-school
