Attendance throughout the week was excellent. Not only was the Central Courtyard and Library Lawn spaces buzzing with activity, but organised sessions also saw capacity crowds.

• More than 1500 students attended Learning Skills and Career workshops throughout the week (with more sessions scheduled for the next few weeks of session).
• Around 1300 enjoyed ‘Australian’ experiences such as an Aussie barbecue, afternoon tea and sports, a bush dance, Sydney Harbour cruise, and a trip to Featherdale Wildlife Park.
• 850 attended official welcome events with the Vice-Chancellor
• 700 students participated in a speed friendship session, a networking event to help new students to break the ice and feel welcome.

The reinvigorated student mentor program saw more than 140 mentors help out during the week, facilitating campus tours, running information sessions, answering questions and offering wayfinding advice. The mentors have also been teamed up with around 1500 students who have elected to be part of the peer support program that aims to help new students transition to Macquarie and tertiary study during their first session. Find out more about the Mentor program.

Here’s a snapshot of the week in pictures:

(Photos by Chris Stacey)

Orientation Week, or ‘O Week’ as most people would know it, begins next Monday 22 February. For some students, this is their first chance to explore campus life and the diverse range of opportunities that contribute to the Macquarie student experience.

To help welcome our students into the Macquarie community, we are asking staff to get involved and attend events as Macquarie ambassadors. See the staff events page to register your interest for individual events, and when you attend each event, don’t forget to identify yourself to the Events team as a staff member.

If you don’t wish to attend specific events, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with what’s on, be a friendly face around campus or just see what O Week is all about. Highlights for the week include:

Tuesday 23 February

• O Week Opening Ceremony, Lakeside
• Courtyard stalls open
• Speed friendship in the Atrium
• MacDiz trivia and movie night, Macquarie Theatre
• + specific activities and events for arts students

Wednesday 24 February

• Breakfast with the Red Frogs, Central Courtyard
• World’s Greatest Shave
• Dunk Tank fun
• + specific activities and events for human sciences, and science and engineering students

Thursday 25 February

• Sydney sights walking tour
• Sydney Harbour cruise
• Atomic slip and slide
• + specific activities and events for business and economics students

Friday 26 – Sunday 28 February

• Cinema in the Park – Whiplash
• Featherdale Wildlife Park trip
• Bondi to Bronte walk

To see the full schedule of events and stay up to date, visit the Orientation website.