Get a Headstart in the Boarding Community

Headstart is a free online program that helps new Year 7 and 8 students prepare for academic life at Wesley. It helps our boarders build early friendships with other new students too.

 

At Wesley, we understand that the transition to High school and Boarding can be a significant step for students and their families. That’s why we launched the Headstart Program, a free online program designed to help new Year 7 and 8 students to build connections with their soon-to-be boarding peers and transition into academic and boarding life at Wesley.

The Headstart Program is run by the Headstart Coordinator, who works closely with the Year 7 and 8 Boarding Coordinators and middle school teachers. Students participate in weekly online sessions led by the Headstart Coordinator. These sessions focus on building connections with peers, academic growth, boarding preparation, and the social and emotional demands that come from boarding.

In these sessions, students hear from current Wesley Boarders and Wesley Boarding staff. Headstart also aims to develop numeracy and literacy skills using online programs Mathspace and Reading Plus. This software is also used in the Middle School, so it ensures students hit the ground running when teachers launch into an activity supported by those programs.

Reading Plus:
Reading Plus is a research-based online program that targets specific reading skills for each student, supports vocabulary development and trains the eyes to read correctly. Students can select the texts they wish to read, motivating them to succeed and improve. The program is monitored, and teachers can direct the boys to additional materials, such as video tutorials and worksheets. This program also individualises each student’s learning, adapting to match the student’s reading fluency and ability.

Mathspace:
Mathspace is an interactive, online learning platform designed to strengthen students’ numeracy skills through personalised, curriculum-aligned lessons. It adapts to each student’s ability, providing step-by-step guidance, instant feedback, and interactive tools to make math engaging and accessible. Mathspace encourages independent learning while fostering confidence and critical thinking, helping students master foundational concepts and tackle advanced problems. With progress tracking for students and teachers, Mathspace ensures targeted growth, making it an invaluable tool.

 

Commitment from the student:
The course is free, you simply need to register by emailling enrol@wesley.wa.edu.au. Students will need to commit to twice-weekly online sessions and at least two hours of weekly homework (one hour of Mathspace and one hour of Reading Plus).

Ideally, they would get used to completing this work in the evenings, at a time similar to Boarding Prep (7:00-8:00 p.m.) Sunday through Thursday.

 

To register your child for Headstart, or for more information, email: enrolment@wesley.wa.edu.au