Lower House Guide 2024
Introduction to Lower House
Lower House is a feature of life at Cokethorpe that provides extra support as you move into Senior School.
All First Form pupils join Lower House but you will also have an affiliation with one of the six Senior Houses that you will remain a part of throughout your time at Cokethorpe.
The House you are a member of is indicated by the colour of your School tie.
First Form Tutors
Your tutor will register you each day and support you both academically and pastorally. Most mornings you will engage in an exciting activity with your tutor which will support you as a local, national and global citizen. Your tutor will be your first point of contact should you be worried or need to seek support and guidance.
Harcourt
Mrs Statham
Geography and Mrs Moore MFL
Queen Anne
Miss Jones
PE
Feilden
Miss Hutchinson
History
Swift
Miss Lloyd Jones
MFL
Gascoigne
Mrs Thorpe
Science
Vanbrugh
Mr Bosse
Mathematics
Lower House Team
Mrs Prior
Head
of Lower House
Mrs Prior is the Housemistress of Lower House and is here to help with all aspects of school life. Mrs Prior will work with Lower House tutors to ensure you have a successful first year in the senior school and are well prepared for future accomplishment as you progress at Cokethorpe
Mrs
Semenzato
Assistant Director of Studies
Mrs Semenzato oversees learning and progress for First, Second and Third Forms.
Calla Whitby
Lower House Prefect
As well as having a Housemaster and a Tutor, there is also a Head of House Prefect from the Sixth Form, who provides dedicated pupil support for Lower House.
The School Day
The ten-day timetable is split into Week 1 and Week 2. The timetable varies across the week but an example day may look like this:
You will note that there is a five-minute transition period between lessons. This should give plenty of time to ensure that you are punctual to your next lesson.
On Friday: Headmaster’s/Housemaster’s Assembly (4.10pm–5.00pm).
First Form sport: Monday (11.05am-12.50pm) and Wednesday (2.10pm–5.00pm).
Registration 8.40am–9.00am
Period 1 9.00am–9.50am
Period 2 9.55am–10.45am
Break 10.45am–11.05am
Period 3 11.05am–11.55am
Period 4 12.00pm–12.50pm
Lunch 12.50pm–2.05pm
Registration 2.05pm–2.10pm
Period 5 2.10pm–3.00pm
Period 6 3.05pm–3.55pm
Break 3.55pm–4.10pm
Period 7 4.10pm–5.00pm
Terminology
As you start to find your way around the School grounds and discover more about life at Cokethorpe you might hear some unfamiliar names and locations. Below is an explanation of what they are:
AOB (Any Other Business)
The collective name for the clubs, societies and other activities that take place throughout the week, with over 160 to choose from you will never be short of something new to try.
Recommendations
You will be awarded ‘Recommendations’ for good work through the year and upholding the School’s Leadership Traits (see page 7).
Each half term the tutor group with the most points will be awarded a shield and each term the House with the most points will receive the Recommendations Cup.
The Corinthian Room
The beautiful wood-panelled room located on the ground floor of the Mansion House.
The Cranham Library
The upstairs library used by all pupils in the Senior School.
The Pavilion
The wood-clad building in front of the main car park which houses sports changing rooms.
The Ocellus
The School’s biannual publication, so named as it means the eye found in the tail feathers of a peacock.
The Review
The School’s annual publication which gives an overview of the previous academic year.
The Shed
The 200-seat theatre that is the centre of the School’s performing arts, situated by the Sports Hall. This is also the venue for many of the insightful Discovery lectures you will be invited to.
Ocellus SummerIssue52 2024
Things to Remember
At Cokethorpe School I must remember to...
...listen to my teachers.
...listen to and respect others.
...use kind words and be honest.
...put my hand up to answer a question.
...take pride in my school and my appearance.
...respect School property.
...be punctual and prepared for lessons.
...enter and leave the classroom quietly.
...hand in my work on time.
...concentrate so I can enjoy my learning.
...always work to the best of my ability.
School Rules
The School Rules ensure that everyone’s time at Cokethorpe is happy and that pupils make the most of the opportunities on offer.
All pupils are required to:
z Know the School Rules, the sanctions that may apply and to accept correction and guidance with good grace
z Be honest, courteous, considerate and trustworthy
z Respect others, their property and the fabric of the School
z Take a full part in School life and make a positive contribution to its community
z Complete schoolwork on time and to the best of their ability
z Be clean and presentable and wear School uniform correctly
z Be mindful of their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of others.
Whilst Cokethorpe School embraces technology and its place in the modern world we live in, the introduction of surfaces for all pupils means that mobile phones are not required for your learning. We therefore expect that any mobile phones brought onto the School site will be handed in to the tutor each morning for safe keeping. Pupils can then collect their phones during the afternoon break.
Academic
In the First Form, you will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects:
Computer Studies
Design and
Technology
Mathematics
Art
Drama
Music
History
Geography
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
English
French
Spanish
Latin
It is expected that you will apply yourself to your academic study, contribute positively during lessons, and complete your homework on time and to a high standard.
It is important that you embrace the challenge of academic study, and that you try your hardest to respond positively to the advice and guidance provided by your teachers.
Leadership
In keeping with the School’s leadership programme, Cokethorpe values integrity, courage, empathy, judgement, ambition, and responsibility to allow pupils to live productively in a dramatically changing world. We embrace the diversity of pupils’ talents, ideas, and experiences.
At Cokethorpe, we expect all of our pupils to be leaders by developing and demonstrating the six characteristics of our leadership programme:
Integrity
Doing what you know to be the right thing.
Courage
Sometimes choosing the difficult option.
Empathy
Understanding that other people’s views and experiences might be different from your own.
Judgement
Knowing when, and when not to act.
Ambition
Challenging yourself to be better.
Responsibility
Being relied upon to do the right thing.
You will have use of the beautiful parkland around the mansion house and school buildings. We invite pupils to go outside and explore during break times. The HaHa is an exciting and unique feature at Cokethorpe but we expect that pupils will stay out of the HaHa and observe the bounds (see page 10). There are still plenty of stunning spaces to enjoy!
Summer Time Bounds for Breaks and Lunch
‘I have loved my first year at Cokethorpe School. I was nervous coming from a small primary school, but as soon as I started I felt welcome and felt like one big family and I have made such good friends.’
The Details
Senior Buddies
In September, the first pupils to start School are the First Form. So that you feel completely at ease with starting the Senior School, you will be buddied up with someone older who will understand the concerns the first few days of school may bring. Apart from your tutor and Housemaster, there will also be a fellow pupil who you can turn to for help and guidance throughout the academic year, whenever necessary.
AOB
AOB at Cokethorpe is more than just Any Other Business. It is an extraordinary range of activities that you can choose from each term. From robotics, jazz band and dissection club to yoga, fencing and climbing, you will never be short of new things to try.
Activities are divided in to five categories; Cerebral, Physical, Hobby, Creative and Service. You will need to select three or four activities from a variety of the categories. You might decide to select a Cerebral activity that is an extension to one of your favourite subjects, or maybe a Physical activity that will give you the opportunity to try a completely new sport. The choice is yours!
Digital Learning
All First Form pupils are issued with a Microsoft Surface Pro device which you are responsible for taking care of and charging. Timetables, homework, classwork and other resources can be accessed with your Microsoft Surface through Microsoft Teams, Forms and OneNote. You will be shown how to use the devices, which you will be using regularly in lessons and at home.
Report and Parents’ Evenings
Over the course of the academic year, we will give you plenty of feedback to help you make progress. There are four formal reporting points, one of which is a Progress Review Evening, which you will attend with your parents/guardians. Reports are released on the parent portal and you can expect the following:
October half term - Grade Card
Easter - Full written report
Summer - Full written report
Lower House Competitions
The Pratley Shield
All Lower House tutor groups compete for the Pratley Shield once every half term. The trophy is won by the tutor group that has received the most ‘Recommendations’ and is presented in Lower House assembly. Recommendations are awarded for successfully demonstrating one of the six leadership traits during any part of School life.
Cokethorpe Character
At the end of each half term, pupils nominate another pupil in their Form who they feel deserves the title ‘Cokethorpe Character’ of Lower House. It might be the pupil who has won the most Recommendations, has tried the hardest or has been particularly helpful, friendly or kind.
Winners receive a certificate and a gift voucher, presented in the last Lower House assembly of each half term.
Inter-House
Lower House pupils take part in all the inter-House competitions, which are organised by the Housemasters. The competitions may include:
‘One thing I really enjoyed when I first joined the School were House competitions, it is so lovely to represent your House and do them proud.’
Social Life
Throughout the year, you will get to enjoy a host of social events that are just for the Lower House.
Lower House Camp
In September, the Lower House are the first pupils to start School but, rather than going straight to the classrooms, you will spend two days taking part in loads of fun activities, and will spend the night camping in the School grounds. This will give you the opportunity to meet your new classmates and become familiar with the layout of the School.
Lower House Disco
At the end of your first half term, you will get to let your hair down at the Lower House Disco. Between picking your favourite tunes and throwing some shapes on the dance floor, you can also take part in fun games and competitions.
Summer Barbecue
Towards the end of your time in Lower House, you will celebrate everything you have achieved in your first year at the Summer Barbecue. Delicious food and tasty treats are enjoyed, with games and time to relax in the parkland.
Welcome Video and Site Tour
Scan the QR code below for a video introduction to First Form and a virtual site tour to help you familiarise yourself with the School before you start in September.
‘I was nervous when I first
joined Senior School, everything was new
to me, however,
the First Form camp really brought me out of my shell and I got to know the School a lot better, and I made new friends.’
Self Care
It is important that we look after ourselves, here are some useful steps that can help with our wellbeing:
z Healthy sleep routines
z Time away from phones and gaming
z Daily/weekly routine
z Healthy eating
z Hydration
z The ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’.
Peer Mentors and the School Counsellor
Cokethorpe has a highly experienced counsellor on site available for all pupils to talk to. The reasons a pupil might seek to speak to the counsellor vary, but common themes are dealing with stress and anxiety, relationships, and adapting to change. All of the information discussed in counselling is treated confidentially.
Alongside the counsellor, there is also a team of Sixth Form Peer Mentors who are trained to listen and reflect whilst keeping all information discussed confidential. You might be more comfortable talking to someone of a similar age, so the Peer Mentors are a helpful way to get support.
‘The main reason I love the School and community is because of the kind teachers and staff.’
Five Ways to Wellbeing
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are evidence-based and endorsed by the NHS:
Connect
Feeling close to and appreciated by other people is important for us and our wellbeing. It also helps us with everyday life.
With this in mind, try to do something different today and make a connection:
• Spend time with your family, tell them about your day
• Speak to a friend or relative face to face rather than sending a message
• Meet up with your friends rather than relying on speaking remotely when gaming.
Take Notice
Remind yourself to ‘take notice’ and be aware of what is taking place around you, allowing you to make positive choices.
Take some time to think about the good things in your day. Here are a few ideas:
• Look around you and really take in your surroundings – notice the sounds, smells, sun, rain, etc
• Look up from any phones, devices, screens you may have
• Consider and give thought to how those around you are feeling.
Be Active
Exercise does not need to be particularly intense for you to feel good, slower-paced activities, such as walking or swimming can have the benefit of making you feel good as well as providing some level of exercise.
Give it a go today! Here are a few ideas:
• Go out for a walk with a friend or family member
• Get involved with a local sports club
• Dance/move to your favourite song!
Keep Learning
Learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not learn something new today? Here are a few more ideas:
• Learn a new craft
• Have a go at a new sporting activity
• Read a book about something which might interest you
• Learn from your family – ask them about themselves.
Give
Even the smallest act can count, whether it is a smile, a thank you, or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your wellbeing and help you meet new people. Give it a go today!
• Give someone a complement to make them feel good
• Smile at someone
• Write someone a card or letter of thanks
• Volunteer within your community.
