The Kimberley School Newsletter July 2016 | Page 7

P R I MAR Y M A TT E R S Arrangements for September Year 7 students are expected in school at 8.50 am on the 6th September. They will spend the morning with their tutor going through procedures and expectations. In the afternoon, normal lessons will start. The only equipment that students will need for their first day is a pen, pencil and ruler, although it would be useful if they could also bring their trainers just in case they have PE that afternoon. They will also need to bring with them either a packed lunch or about £2.50 to purchase food from the canteen if you have not topped up their Squid account previously. We will take them down for an early lunch at 12.00 and explain to them how they purchase food and where to eat it. On a final note, please remember that when buying the school tie through a retailer to check that they are selling the school ties with the school’s House colours on them. The colours are: Boot = Green Clough = Red Lawrence = Blue Nightingale = Yellow In the meantime, if you have any queries or concerns about your child’s transition to The Kimberley School, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you. Miss Hughes Assistant Headteacher Primary Transition and Liaison Over the last few weeks, we have been busy welcoming Year 6 students to The Kimberley School. We began with visits to all our feeder primaries and Hempshill Hall Primary School during June. Mr George spoke to the students about how he is both excited and nervous about starting in September, just like them. During the visits, students were given the opportunity to ask questions which were varied and interesting, ranging from what clubs we run to how many rooms there are in the school (I still don’t know the answer to this question!). We took with us Year 7 students who talked articulately about their experiences at The Kimberley School. Their behaviour was impeccable and they were a real credit to their families. The students were: Alfie Brownhill Madeleine Leake Samuel Binks Lucy Coulter Aimee Betteridge Joe Wyatt Lucy Marriott Ben Shaw Michelle Cordon Billy Holmes Jack Stevenson Jess Whale Ben Bonser Lily Orme Ruby Mayer Mitchell Purdy Their mature attitude and insightful responses to the questions asked helped to put the Year 6 students at ease and helped them to understand that there is nothing to worry about. We know that moving school is hard for all students but it is even harder for some students. If you think your child may find the transition process difficult, please contact us and we can work to ensure that your child is fully supported throughout the transition process. Our Induction Club goes from strength to strength. Activities were varied this year, ranging from sports activities to working from maps. Most students who attended reported that they had already begun the process of making new friends and getting to know our staff. The induction process ends with our two induction days on the 29th June and the 1st July. On these days, students will come into school and spend the day working on team building activities that are designed to get them working collaboratively with their new tutor group, as well as continuing the process of making new friends. Induction Evening for parents/carers is on the evening of 29th June starting at 6pm. During this evening, you will have the opportunity to meet Mr George and your child’s tutor, as well as other key staff including Mr Field, your child’s Head of Year. The transition process began for us in September of last year. It has been a long and complicated process and I would like to take this opportunity to thank, unreservedly, all those who have been involved in the transition process, whether it is the staff at the primaries, you as parents/carers or our own staff here at The Kimberley School. The successful transition of young people from one school to another doesn’t happen by accident and it is testimony to the dedication and hard work by all involved that this year’s transition has been so successful. Thank you. I would also like to thank Miss Waddington who has been the Assistant Head of Year 7, as well as the transition coordinator. She has worked so hard to ensure that students are prepared for life at The Kimberley School and has worked tirelessly to make the transition process as smooth as it can be. As Miss Waddington leaves us at the end of this academic year, I wish her all the best. The D&T Faculty is in need of the following materials: - Empty Celebration, Hero, Quality Street biscuit tins etc. - Wool and fabric. Steve Brunt, local hero, recently donated lots of plywood to us from his firm Plyvan. We would like to give Steve, and everyone else who has donated materials to us, a big thank you - they have been very useful!