About 150 fresh grade nine students congregated at Our Lady of the Bay Catholic High School (OLB) on Aug. 31 for orientation, to get acclimatized to their new home prior to their first official day of school on Sept. 5.
And Grade 11 student Hailey Griffin, a member of OLB’s Link Crew, was one of about 20 friendly faces to greet them.
“When I was in Grade 9, Link Crew helped me out a lot. It’s intimidating, going in. They’re there to help and support you because they know how it feels,” said Griffin. “It’s a big deal to me.”
The Link Crew primarily runs the annual Grade 9 orientation event, and also acts as mentors to younger students throughout the year.
“We make sure they feel welcomed and answer any questions they may have,” said Griffin.
Griffin feels participating in the club was a good fit for her as she has five siblings.
“They asked me, I think because I’m a positive influence. I’m so outgoing. I like being out there,” she said.
Griffin says she hopes the event will help bring some of the new high school students out of their shells.
“I hope they feel like it’s OK. I hope they see this as a comfortable environment and not that they should be at home, scared,” she said.
During this year’s orientation, students were ushered into the school’s gym to compete in icebreaker activities and games, to start making connections that could carry them throughout their lives.
OLB Principal Kerri Parent welcomed the new class of 2027, and offered advice.
“My biggest piece of advice to you is to get engaged. Whatever that looks like for you could be different,” Parent told students. “That’s where your memories are going to be made. You’re going to have a great high-school experience.”
