Easing Transition 2017 by Cornelius Vermuyden School

EASING TRANSITION

2017

â&#x20AC;&#x153;A bright future lies ahead for you joining a school which is fully staffed with specialist teachers, a new school build and continuing high standards.â&#x20AC;?

Welcome from the Headteacher I am delighted to welcome you to Cornelius Vermuyden School. Our small school ethos has allowed us to focus on high attainment and progress and become a centre for educational excellence. We believe in working closely with parents to ensure that each student is happy and strives to achieve their personal best. Our strong system of individual support and challenge for each child is reflected in our year on year improvement in examination performance. Our curriculum is carefully designed to accelerate students’ progress. The school is newly built, was opened in February 2012 and still looks fantastic. The design achieved a coveted ‘Excellent’ grade at CABE review and was shortlisted for the national RIBA Award. Approximately £28m has been spent on the new school and facilities; state of the art classrooms with educational breakout spaces, science laboratories, ICT suites, sports hall with climbing wall, spacious hall/auditorium and fully equipped dance studio, drama studio, library facilities, immersive room for creative work, art studios and technology suites, new dining and café areas, breakout spaces and terraces, which enjoy views across playing fields and open land. In the school grounds we have 38 acres of land, two MUGA (Multi Use Games Area), hockey, cricket, football, rugby and netball pitches. In addition we have an amphitheatre, science and ecology areas and landscaped gardens. A bright future lies ahead for you joining a school which is fully staffed with specialist teachers, a new school build and continuing high standards.

Mrs C. P. Skewes

Hello and welcome to Cornelius Vermuyden School! Cornelius Vermuyden School believes in honesty, hard work, and the pursuit of knowledge and understanding for their own sake. During your time with us, we want you to enjoy your learning, make progress, and achieve. We also want you to become a confident member of our community who will go on to make a positive contribution to school life. I hope that you are excited at the prospect of joining a new school and will make the most of the opportunities available to you. Participation is everything! Mr A. Cass Assistant Head: Lower School

No doubt you will be sad to leave the friends, teachers, and familiar school buildings that have played such a significant part in your life. This is natural. However, you are now entering a new and exciting phase in your education. Year 7 represents a considerable period of transition and we recognise that this can be a daunting experience for both students and parents. I invite you to become involved, interested, and to realise your undoubted potential. I wish you a happy and successful career at Cornelius Vermuyden School and I look forward to meeting you in September.

We are very much aware that you may join this school with some concerns and fears about starting a new educational journey with us here at Cornelius Vermuyden School. We understand that new teachers, new subjects, and many new students will be a big step. To help you make the transition from Primary to Secondary School, we provide plenty of individuals to support and to help you. For example, you will meet our very friendly and approachable Transition Team before you start in September, when they visit your Primary School. Also, and once you start, Form Captains are attached to each Year 7 Form Group and they are there to offer any guidance that may be needed. I look forward to meeting you in the near future and to explaining all the many opportunities our wonderful school has to offer. In the meantime, keep working hard and good luck with your upcoming SATs. Mrs L. Sivell Head of Year 7

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look forward to meeting you in September â&#x20AC;?

The School Day 7.30am........................ Breakfast Club, Library, Sports Club (Tuesday- Friday) 8.00am........................ School Starts 8.10am........................ Lesson 1 9.10am........................ Lesson 2 10.10am...................... Break 1 10.30am...................... Lesson 3 11.30am...................... Lesson 4 12.30pm...................... Break 2 12.50pm...................... Registration & Assembly 1.10pm........................ Lesson 5 2.10pm........................ End of Day 2.15pm Cold Snacks, Sports Fixtures, Years 7-11 Targeted Intervention & Enrichment Clubs

Assemblies: One afternoon a week, during registration time, each year group has an assembly. This takes place in the Main Hall. House Assemblies take place once every half term

Our School The school’s focus on learning is at the centre of everything we do, helping to develop the students’ skills of originality, creativity and communication. The school is also completely networked and interactive whiteboards and Apple TV are present in all classrooms. At Cornelius Vermuyden School, we are a caring and orderly community, where individuals are able to learn, contribute

and develop. In order to achieve this, we aim to provide a disciplined and purposeful environment, where the traditional values of mutual care, consideration and acceptance flourish. The school is dedicated to developing respect, responsibility and resilience amongst our students as we prepare them to meet the challenges of life in the 21st century.

Who’s Who?

Mrs C. P. Skewes Headteacher

Mr I. Hockey Deputy Headteacher

Mrs D. Halpin Deputy Headteacher

Mr J. Hibben Assistant Headteacher If you need to contact the school to discuss your child’s progress and well-being, or to forward some information to the school, you should speak or write to your child’s Form Tutor or relevant subject teacher in the first instance. If you consider the matter requires further attention you should contact Mrs L. Sivell, Head of Year 7.

Mr T. Keenan Assistant Headteacher

Mr A. Cass Assistant Head: Lower School

Mrs L. Sivell Head of Year 7

“you can learn to play all kinds of instruments!” Transition can be daunting, we felt nervous and scared about starting at Cornelius, but when we got here, everyone welcomed us and it felt like being part of a big family. The school has some brilliant facilities and has given us the opportunities to do things we hadn’t done before. The teachers are very friendly and helpful and there is always someone to help you with homework if you need it. We can’t believe how quickly we forgot our old school and became completely focused on Cornelius. Just wait until you start here, you’ll make lots of new friends and very soon you’ll love the school as much as we do.

tyla brooks

Uniform Wearing uniform is obligatory; all students must comply with the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s uniform code. Not only does the uniform and smartness of our students add to the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image and prestige in the wider community, but it also contributes to a business-like atmosphere conducive to achievement. A high standard of appearance is required at all times and is integral to all studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time at Cornelius Vermuyden School.

We only allow students to wear one watch and one pair of stud earrings for girls or a single stud earring for boys. The only badges allowed to be worn are those provided by the school. We do not accept the following: denim jackets, hoodies, caps, designer clothing, body piercings, extreme hairstyles or colours, excessive make-up. All students are required to bring a hair band if hair is at a length that can be tied up.

BOYS • • • • • • • •

Plain black blazer with school badge Plain black v-neck pullover with yellow stripe around neck Plain white shirt with collar School House tie (to be worn at all times) Plain black trousers (not tight fitting) Plain black socks Sensible plain black leather shoes without decoration (no trainers, sling backs or brands) Plain coat or anorak, preferably in a dark colour

Boys - Indoor PE Kit • • • • •

Black & amber panelled shorts Black & amber panelled collared polo shirt with logo White sports socks Black athletics shorts (compulsory if selected to represent the school in athletics or cross country) Trainers (no fashion trainers allowed, trainers must have a non marking sole with grip and laces)

Boys - Outdoor PE Kit • • • • • • • • •

Black & amber panelled shorts Black & amber panelled reversible rugby shirt Plain black jogging bottoms (optional) Black & amber hooded sweatshirt with logo (optional) Black & amber waterproof (optional) Black football socks Football boots Towel Gumshield

• • •

No extreme hair styles or hair cuts below a number two No jewellery - boys may only wear one stud ear ring No hoodies to be worn in school at the start, during or end of day (except in PE lessons)

GIRLS • • • • • • • • • •

Plain black blazer with school badge Plain black v-neck pullover with yellow stripe around neck Plain white shirt with collar School House tie (to be worn at all times) Plain black pleated skirt (school approved style) with hem no more than 2 inches above the knee and not below mid calf Plain black trousers - optional (not tight fitting) Plain black socks Plain black or natural tights Sensible plain black shoes without decoration (no trainers, sling backs or brands) Plain coat or anorak, preferably in a dark colour

Girls - Indoor & Outdoor PE Kit • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Black & amber skort Black & amber panelled shorts (optional) Black & amber panelled hooded sweatshirt with logo Black & amber panelled collared polo shirt with logo Plain black jogging bottoms (optional) Black & amber waterproof (optional) White sports socks (will need black football socks for girls’ football and hockey) Black athletics shorts (compulsory if selected to represent the school in athletics or cross country) Trainers (no fashion trainers allowed, trainers must have a non marking sole with grip and laces) Towel Hairband No extreme hair styles or hair cuts below a number two No jewellery - one single stud in each ear No hoodies to be worn in school at the start, during or end of day (except in PE lessons)

Please note: All students can bring a towel as they have the opportunity to shower after P.E. lessons and it is recommended that a plastic bag is used to put dirty/wet kit in after lessons.

What Does My Child Need? At Cornelius Vermuyden School your child will have to walk from one lesson to the next. They will therefore need to carry all of their books and items with them for each lesson. It would be useful for them to get in the habit of packing their bag the night before with all of the things they need for the next day. It would also be useful for them to check their planner to ensure they know what they have to remember for the next day.

Essential Items •

• • • • • • • • • •

School bag (This should be hardwearing and large enough to hold all your child’s equipment and books) Pencil case Black and blue pens Pencil Ruler Pencil sharpener Eraser Calculator Coloured pencils Pocket English Dictionary PE Kit

Recommended Items • •

Angle measurer/protractor Compass

mason lewis Cornelius is a route to success, as you know from the past GCSE results. Everyone here has incredible talents and abilities. All of the teachers here really help you learn. The facilities are amazing in every lesson. Teamwork is the greatest thing you will learn at this school. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cornelius is a good schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as said by Ofsted. We hope you enjoy your time at Cornelius Vermuyden School.

Student Planner On your child’s first day at Cornelius Vermuyden School, they will be issued with a planner. This should be carried with them and placed on the desk at the start of each lesson. It should be used for: • Writing down key information, such as your child’s timetable and names of their teachers • Recording what home learning (including weekly homework) is given, with the date it is due to be returned • Absence notes to your child’s form tutor • Keeping important school papers and letters safe on their way home Your child’s form tutor will check and sign their planner every week. Parents are asked to do the same. This will enable a regular and clear means of communication to be established between home and school.

ParentPay ParentPay® is the unique web based service that enables parents to make secure online payments by credit and debit card to schools and other service providers, for example caterers. This enables secure online collection of payments for anything from school meals and trips to music lessons. ParentPay reduces the time spent on administration, minimises the quantity of cash held on the school premises and makes the whole income collection process safer and more convenient for schools, parents and children.

Also, it cuts down on the amount of money children have to physically bring into school. We have a link on our school website that will give you more information about this service. Alternatively Miss M. Upfold, Finance Officer, can answer any further queries/questions you might have.

The House System The House Point are awarded by staff to students for one of the following four reasons: 1. Achievement and Attainment. 2. Resilience and Progress. 3. Responsibility and Participation. 4. Respect and Citizenship. Every student has an equal and fair chance of earning House Points, regardless of academic ability. Indeed, we believe that every student at Cornelius Vermuyden School is capable of demonstrating resilience, every student can try their best to produce impressive work, every student can participate in the extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities provided by the school, and every student can display respect and promote positive citizenship.House Point totaliser, electronic screens around the school site are used to display running totals, and attractive certificates are presented to the most successful students in the final House Assembly of each term.

Athena

Darwin XII

Einstein

III

IX VI

Zeus

Homework We believe that learning independently, planning and organising time outside of the classroom, are essential skills to develop from the outset. Homework is set regularly using the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Show My Homework computer programme. Parents and carers can access the programme 24 hours a day and we ask that you check your sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s/daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homework daily to support them with their learning tasks.

The amount of homework The school has a fixed homework timetable with time allocated for different subjects on different evenings. Students will need to learn to manage their time so that they do some homework each evening. Teachers will not set homework to be completed for the next day, but will give students at least two days to complete the homework. The time devoted to homework should increase as the student progresses through the school.

Students in Years 7-9 should have one piece of homework per week for all subjects which should take between 45 minutes and one hour. Additionally, Year 7 and 8 should be set a home learning assignment project each half term, which will be appropriate to their current project. Students in Years 10-11 should have between an hour and an hour and a half per subject, per week. In addition, students are encouraged to read as widely as possible around their chosen subjects to broaden their knowledge. Homework will be differentiated where necessary to take into account individual needs. The Multi Media Resource Centre, including the well-resourced library and a computer room, is open before school, at lunchtime and after school to support students with their homework and independent learning.

From primary school to secondary school can be a huge leap however, if you try hard at Cornelius you will succeed. It may look very big but you will find your way around quickly! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be scared about making new friends; believe us youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make them.

amy tebbs

Extra Curricular Activities

Cornelius Vermuyden School places a strong emphasis on students achieving their potential. As a result, we offer a wide and exciting range of before and after school clubs and activities for your child to participate in.

Transition Team The Transition Team are a group of current Year 7 students who have successfully applied for the privilege to support your child in their transition to Cornelius Vermuyden School. Members of the Transition Team are easily identifiable by their gold star badges worn on their blazers. They support yours child’s smooth move to their new school by visiting primary school, conducting school tours, answering your questions and being ‘on hand’ when they first start at our school.

Attendance & Punctuality If your child is to gain the benefit of a good education and maximise their potential, they need to attend school every day. Holidays are not authorised in school time, as we recognise that if your child misses time off school they fall behind their peers and are less likely to reach their full potential. We also expect that students are in school every day on time and arrive punctually to their lessons throughout the school day. The school expectation is that individual student attendance should be above 96%.

Safety Please ensure your child leaves all valuables at home. If your child is cycling to school, they will need a bike lock to secure it in the school grounds. Mobile phones, MP3 players etc. are not allowed to be used in the school. If they are seen being used they will be confiscated and it will be the parents’ responsibility to collect items from the school office.

“We want to engage every student, every day they are at Cornelius Vermuyden School.”