This
September we will welcome many new students to
St. Agatha School. We truly do welcome you!
Aileen Farrell shares her experience as a new student
at
St. Agatha School.
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My
First Year at St. Agatha School |
Hello
I am Aileen Farrell and I am finishing my first year here
at St. Agatha School. I am here to talk briefly to you
about my experience as a new student and what I thought
of it.
The word “new” means many things to many people.
Unfamiliar, strange, uncomfortable, or awkward are all
words we could use to describe how “newness”
sometimes feels. Like you perhaps, I know that trying
something new or unknown can sometimes be quite scary.
I experienced all of the above when I was preparing to
come to St. Agatha School. My parents often tell me that
to experience something new sometimes means that you need
to be a little brave and have faith. Well... following
that particular advice paid off in a big way for me and
I would like to share my experience with you.
I was one of just a few new 6th graders who entered St.
Agatha School for the first time this past fall. I did
know some of my new classmates from my Quincy neighborhood
and I knew some from when they attended my old school—but
I never was in this school with them. The building, teachers,
rules, uniforms, all of these unfamiliar things, made
me nervous and I did not really know what to expect. I
was confident though that I would eventually get to like
this school because I had heard from many people about
how it was such an “excellent” place.
It did not take me long to realize that teachers and administrators
here at St. Agatha School challenge and encourage you
to do the very best that you can each day. They help you
to succeed and the learning environment is a very positive
one. Everyone in my classes seems to try their best to
learn and I have noticed that students also challenge
each other to do well. That is not something that happens
in many schools, I would imagine. This entire positive
attitude here encourages me and makes a big difference
with every subject I study.
By its reputation, I knew that St. Agatha School would
challenge me to better prepare myself for junior high
and high school. It certainly did challenge me and I am
much more confident about my academic abilities. I do
feel more prepared for future grade levels and for other
schools, such as attending a good high school one day.
When I was in your position a year ago, I did not know
what to expect of teachers here. I wondered if I would
make any new friends. I even wondered if I would ever
learn how things were to be done around here. The messages
of what is expected of you as a student however, is sent
loud and clear from the very first day of school and it
is repeated every day. Academically – you are to
work hard and do your best to learn. Socially –
you are to treat others as you would have them treat you.
To be fair to folks at my old school; that is what they
wanted of me there too, but what is different here at
St. Agatha’s is that our teachers and administrators
also remind us often that God needs to be at the center
of our lives. Prayer and our religious education are very
much a part of daily student life here and I think that
that is one of the big things that make us uniquely special
as a school community and I like that.
You will be happy to know that people sure did welcome
me right away when I first came here. As my school year
went on from that first day of classes, I ended up having
a great group of new friends! Though it may take a little
time for you to feel completely adjusted, I know that
you will be welcomed by students and staff and that you
will be made to feel an important and valued part of this
school community.
Thank you for listening to me this morning. I hope that
my words here today help you know that, with a little
bit of courage and faith, you will be able to deal with
the “newness” of St. Agatha School and that
you will be very happy you came to school here!
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Parish
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