Students are preparing to transition from Bridgewater Junior-Senior High School to Park View Education Centre.
For current grade nine student Kaelyn Risser, it’s a new opportunity in a bigger school.
“I have a lot of friends from different schools that I’m excited to be in classes with and get to talk to more regularly.”
The 14 year-old says she was originally disappointed by the school board’s decision but feels the change could be good.
The same can’t be said for 15 year-old Kait Benjamin.
The grade 10 student says people worked hard to keep high school students at Bridgewater and feels going to a new school comes with challenges.
“Definitely intimidating because you’re not very familiar with the surroundings and the classrooms and the teachers.”
Sixteen year-old grade 11 student Amy Oickle says it’s disappointing to have to leave the school for her final year.
“I’ve gone to Bridgewater since I was in grade primary. It was a little bit of a let down to know that I won’t be graduating at Bridgewater.”
Oickle says shes trying to remain positive and is treating this year as a graduation from BHS and next year from Park View.
Grade 12 students Hannah Wilkie and Meghan Risser have mixed emotions about the decision to send students to Park View.
Wilkie and Risser are the co-presidents of student council.
The 18 year-old Wilkie says it’s an honour to be part of the last grade 12 to graduate from the school.
“But, at the same time it’s really disappointing to know that there won’t be any alumni events to come back to when we’re older or give advice to the grade twelves at Bridgewater and how to enjoy their time.”
Risser, who is 17, says she wasn’t surprised by the school board’s decision and feels for younger students who have to transition to a new school.
“It’s a big change. There is a big culture shock going from such a small school to a big school like Park View.”
She says larger class sizes will be one challenge and meeting new people.
The Town of Bridgewater and South Shore Regional School Board have opened communication lines since the outcome of a judicial review.
Both sides issued a joint statement this week.
