It is a great way of helping the younger girls settle into the Senior School. They have someone to whom they can turn to and ask the simplest of questions or share any worries they may have. The girls see the Big Sister as someone who has been a Year 7 girl herself a few years ago and so will understand any little fears or worries they may have, which they may not feel comfortable mentioning to a teacher.
However, it is not just the younger girls who benefit from this, the Sixth Formers also gain leadership skills, the ability to converse with younger pupils, feeling a sense of fulfilment when they have been instrumental in helping and “making a difference”.
Many of the Sixth formers have been at Notre Dame for a long time, they have gained many skills along the way and they feel that they can show their appreciation by participating in this programme remembering how important and helpful it was to them when they were in year 7.