Year 7 Students' Handbook 2024

Welcome from the Headmistress

Welcome to Year 7 and to the Senior School at North London Collegiate School. We are delighted to welcome you on your Senior School journey and to see where it might take you.

Along the way, we hope you will find subjects you love, make great friends, and try lots of new activities. When students leave us in Year 13, they often feel very emotional because of how special their time here at Canons has been.

At NLCS, we love learning and having fun while we do it. We want you to feel inspired and ready for whatever the future holds. We believe in helping you grow, not just in your studies, but also as a kind and thoughtful person. We are here to support you and your family through out your time with us.

Thank you for joining NLCS. I hope you enjoy your Year 7 adventure and all the exciting experiences that await you.

Best wishes,

Vicky Bingham Headmistress

Welcome

from Mrs Demetriou, Head of Middle School

As Head of Middle School, I am especially looking forward to welcoming you to our vibrant and warm school community here at NLCS. My top priority is to ensure you feel happy, secure, and confident within our school community and I am committed to encouraging you to embrace all that is on offer.

We have a strong support system in place for you as you make the transition to Senior School. Your tutor will be your key person at school and will remain your main source of support throughout Year 7 and beyond. The Year 10 buddies will also play a key role in making you feel welcome, for example they will be in the Year 7 classrooms on your first day, ensuring you feel welcome and helping with any questions (such as how to get to your first lesson!).

I am sure that the upcoming academic year will be both a challenging and exciting one for you all, filled with opportunities to learn and grow, both academically and personally. I very much look forward to meeting you and helping to ensure that the next stage of your school journey is both successful and rewarding.

Joanna Demetriou Head of Middle School

Vision

AN INSPIRATIONAL EDUCATION

A whole education, for life

Intellectual Tradition

An ambitious academic education

Intrepid Innovation

Inspired by heritage, empowered by modernity

Investment in the Individual Fostering wellbeing and character for life

Impact & Influence Deeply connected to the wider world

School Aims

To provide an ambitious academic education to enable every individual student to make the most of her intellect and abilities.

To nurture a team of professional teachers who inspire their students with a love of their subjects and a spirit of scholarship.

To enable all students to recognise excellence and realise that it is attainable.

To ensure that every member of the School feels valued, supported and encouraged.

To foster a community built on positive relationships between staff and students and between students themselves.

To encourage students to embrace new challenges confidently, and respond to setbacks in a resilient and determined manner.

To develop an outward looking, internationally minded community that promotes respect and compassion, service to others, and active, positive participation in society and the wider world.

School Values

ASPIRATION: we aim to be our best selves

CURIOSITY: we strive to ask questions and be engaged in our learning

COURAGE: we aim to push new personal boundaries

PURPOSE: we love what we do and we want to make a difference

COMMUNITY: we look out for others and for our school

COMMITMENT: we work hard, and we keep going

When you come into school through the glass porch in the Old House and look on the far left wall of the foyer, you will see the portrait of an impressive looking Victorian lady, Frances Mary Buss. Miss Buss was our founder and a woman of great vision; she felt that girls should have the same educational opportunities as boys.

In 1850 she opened the doors of North London Collegiate School to 35 girls. Photographs of some of those girls and their teachers are on display in the Old House.

History of the School

The School was originally located in Camden Town. Then, in 1929, when Miss Drummond was the Headmistress, the School bought the present site, Canons, the former home of the Duke of Chandos. A modern school was added to the Old House and over the years North London has grown to include the Music School, the McLauchlan Library, the Junior School, the Medical Centre the Clanchy Building, the Swimming Pool, the Sports Hall, the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) and the soon-to-be completed IDEAS Hub.

The Senior School is divided into seven year groups. Each year group is called ‘a layer’. In Year 7 there are five forms.

The School has seven layers:

Year 7 Age 11-12

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Year 13

Age 12-13

Age 13-14

Age 14-15

Age 15-16

Age 16-17

Age 17-18

The Staff Team

Senior Team

Vicky Bingham VBingham@nlcs.org.uk

Mrs Jessica Bedi JBedi@nlcs.org.uk

Mr Tim Brown TBrown@nlcs.org.uk Mr Richard Queripel RQueripel@nlcs.org.uk

Mr Samy Etienne SEttiene@nlcs.org.uk

Mrs Nicola Dawson NDawson@nlcs.org.uk Mr Robin Street RStreet@nlcs.org.uk

The Staff Team

Pastoral Team

Mrs Nicola Dawson NDawson@nlcs.org.uk

Mrs Joanna Demetriou JDemetriou@nlcs.org.uk

Miss Harriet Woods HWoods@nlcs.org.uk

Medical Centre phone number: 020 8951 6446

Mr Benjamin Tosh BTosh@nlcs.org.uk

Mrs Natasha Taberner NTaberner@nlcs.org.uk

Ms Gayle Mellor GMellor@nlcs.org.uk April Wellesley AWellesley@nlcs.org.uk

Mrs Lorna Soares-Smith LSoares-Smith@nlcs.org.uk

Medical Centre phone number: 020 8951 6446 Beatrice Fox BFox@nlcs.org.uk

The Staff Team

Year 7 Pastoral Team

Mrs Joanna Demetriou JDemetriou@nlcs.org.uk

Deputy Head of Middle School

Ms Ana Santos ASantos@nlcs.org.uk

Other Key People

Ms Santos, Mr Cobb & Mr Hennelly are the Assistant Heads of Middle School. They are Heads of Years 7, 8 & 9 and Middle School transitions. Ms Santos is also Deputy Head of Middle School.

Ms Veronica Simon is in charge of the stationery room which is located on the ground floor. You may buy pencils, paper and other materials from her.

Mrs Deborah Baum - PA to the Headmistress. Her office is in the Old House. DBaum@nlcs.org.uk

Miss Sarah Prentice is the Attendance Officer and should be contacted by your parents at the start of the day if you are absent from School.

The School Librarians - You will meet all the librarians on the first day at school, and you will have several sessions in the library.

Head of Middle School

The School Day

The school day at North London is divided into nine lessons of 35 minutes each, though in most subjects you will have double lessons. You will be studying many subjects and will have different teachers for each one. You will also be moving about the building from lesson to lesson, though you will not have to carry all your possessions with you. In your form room you will have a locker for books and materials. In the basement of the Old House you will have a large locker for your PE kit and equipment, your coat and general belongings. You will need to bring two suitable padlocks for both lockers which you can use throughout your time here. We recommend padlocks with combination locks.

8.15am – 8.35am Students start arriving. When you come in, tap your student ID at any external door. Then, go to your dungeon locker to leave your coat, games kit (and packed lunch if you bring one). Make sure you have the books and materials needed for the morning’s lessons by visiting your form room locker.

8.40am – 9.15am Period 1

9.15am – 9.50am Period 2

9.50am – 10.25am Form time / assembly

On Mondays and most Fridays there is full school assembly in the Main Hall. On Wednesdays there may be more than one assembly so listen carefully to instructions from your form tutor. You always go to assembly in silence and wait in silence for it to begin. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings you will have time in your form room for form business or year group activities.

10.25am - 10.45am MORNING BREAK

You may go to the Dining Hall if you would like a drink or something to eat. You may buy something or bring something from home. You are also free to go to your form room, play in the grounds, or go to the library. Get ready for the next lesson which starts at 10.45am promptly.

10.45am – 11.20am Period 3

11.20am – 11.55am Period 4

11.55am – 12.30pm Period 5

12.30pm – 1.40pm LUNCH

Lunch is often split into two halves so you can have lunch and attend one of the many activities on offer such as Choir, Orchestra, Sports clubs, Drama, Chess club to name a few. If you prefer less structured activities, you can play in the grounds or go to the library.

1.30pm

Go to your form room, and get yourself ready for the afternoon lessons. Collect your books for the afternoon’s lessons and anything you need to take home for homework.

1.40pm – 2.15pm Period 6

2.15pm – 2.50pm Period 7

2.50pm – 3.25pm Period 8

3.25pm – 4.00pm Period 9

Clubs and after school activities

Here is just a small selection of what’s on offer.

Art Club: If you love art this is the perfect lunchtime club for you to join!

Netball Club: If you feel energetic during lunch break go to Netball Club!

Lacrosse Club: For most Year 7’s lacrosse is a new sport. Improve your skills and game at Lacrosse Club!

Drama Club: If you enjoy acting come along to Drama Club!

Mad Hatters: Come along to discuss your favourite books and films and enjoy tea party food!

Miniglot Society: Come along to enjoy exploring other cultures and languages; activities include treasure hunts and foreign food tasting!

Young Historians: This is a club for students who love History and all aspects of studying the past!

Science Club: Come along for experimental fun!

“Pupils

are given plentiful opportunities to take responsibility and develop leadership skills.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2024

Dining Hall

Food plays a vital role in keeping you energised and fuelled for a busy day at school, which is why we create exciting menus using seasonal ingredients, and the freshest produce to provide you with a healthy balanced meal that tastes great.

Breakfast Club

Each morning we run a breakfast club in the Performing Arts Centre from 7.30am until 8.30am so you can kick start your day the right way with a tasty breakfast, whether you fancy cereals or pancakes, fruit salad or yoghurt.

Morning Break

At 10.25am you can purchase a snack to keep you going until lunch. This is served in the Dining Hall, where there are healthy options like fruit or smoothies, or sweet treats like freshly baked pastries.

Lunch

Lunch for Year 7 usually commences at 1.10pm. You can see the entire week’s menu which is displayed outside the Dining Hall so you know when your favourites are being served. Every

day we serve a hot lunch (including a vegetarian option) and an amazing choice of desserts from the counter. We also have a great choice of salads on our salad bar where you can eat-asmuch-as-you-like!

Smart Food

With health and wellbeing as our number one priority, we have developed “smart food” to help guide our food and drink offer in a healthy direction. We do this by ensuring there is at least one “smart food” recipe available daily, which can take the form of a main dish, side or salad. These recipes have been developed by our expert nutritionists and help us to ensure we are providing fresh, seasonal, nutritious food that helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes you might only fancy a light lunch from the ‘Express Bar’ where you can choose a sandwich or baguette and homemade cake or a selection of fruit. A water fountain is located at the back of the Dining Hall, so you can stay hydrated whilst you enjoy your lunch.

The Dining Hall is a place for you to relax and spend time with friends, but we do ask that you clear your trays to the trolleys nearby to help us keep it neat and tidy.

Special Dietary Requirements

We understand that there may be some foods that you cannot eat, whether it is because of an intolerance or a religious belief, we will always try our best to cater for you. If you do feel like you need something else or are unsure please come and talk to us or contact us at catering@nlcs.org.uk.

If you do have any questions or feedback about anything food-related during lunch, please ask one of the catering team on duty, as we are always happy to help or you can pop a note in our suggestion box.

Below is an example of a week’s lunch menu.

MONDAY TUESDAY

Jamaican style

jerk chicken, yellow rice (Halal option available)

Vegetable mince

Bolognese, penne pasta, garlic bread

Thai style vegetable and Quorn curry, rice

Moroccan style falafel, rice, red cabbage and raisin slaw, vegan yoghurt dressing

BIG bowl saladCauliflower, potato, chickpea salad, choice of protein toppers

Piri piri chicken wrap

Four cheese ravioli, tomato sauce, garlic bread

Vegan aubergine and pepper, black bean sauce, rice noodle salad

BIG bowl salad – chickpea, beetroot and avocado salad, choice of protein toppers

Lyonnaise potatoes

Roasted sweet potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Lemon cake, whipped cream

Pancakes, berry compote

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Summer pudding

Banana and chocolate waffles

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Halal chicken shawarma wrap

African style chicken Yassa

Halloumi shawarma wrap

Margherita pizza slice and toppers

Vegetable paella Quorn fillet spiced wrap

Mexican style veggie taco cups

The bar; toasted paninis

BIG bowl salad – Quinoa, fresh mint, lemon, choice of protein toppers

Cajun curly fries

Chef battered haddock, lemon wedges

Cod fishfingers

Mexican style vegetable and bean burrito

Vegan sausage roll

BIG bowl salad, Greek style salad, choice of protein toppers

Parmentier potatoes

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Strawberry vanilla layered cake

Sugar ring doughnuts

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Very chocolatey cake, chocolate sauce

Sticky toffee pudding, custard

BIG bowl salad – Turkish style mixed rice and avocado salad, saffron vegan yoghurt dressing, choice of protein toppers

Chips, curry sauce

Selection of three seasonal vegetables

Eton mess

White chocolate and raspberry blondie

Grades at North London Collegiate School

You may be surprised to find that much of your homework and classwork is corrected with a comment but no grade is put on it. This is because the teachers want you to concentrate on producing good, thoughtful work but not on being competitive about what mark you get. When there is an important piece of work it is graded and your teachers will let you know the significance of these grades.

“Lessons

are planned and taught well by skilful teachers who are passionate about their subjects.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate 2024

Possessions and Self-Organisation

Learning to organise yourself and your possessions may be your biggest challenge. Being without what you need for a lesson spoils your learning and is exasperating for your teachers.

Your form tutors will help you learn your new routines and do ask them if you are unsure or need guidance.

Pastoral Care

School Code of Conduct

North London Collegiate School aims for a relaxed and happy atmosphere, but with over 800 students and more than 80 staff, there are some rules that we would like you to follow to make life more pleasant for everyone:

Be organised and arrive on time for your lessons.

Do not leave school at any time during school hours without permission, unless by prior arrangement. If you feel unwell go to the school nurse, and she will decide whether you should go home.

Mobile phones must always be kept out of sight. Pupils in Years 7 to 11 must store their mobile phones in their Yondr pouch on arrival at school. It is important phones are switched off as this can disrupt lessons if left to ring in a locked locker.

If students are found to be using their mobile phone during the school day, a member of staff will confiscate it and take it to Reception for safe storage. Students can collect confiscated phones from Reception at 4.00pm before heading home.

If students need to contact home during the school day, they can use the phone at Reception. If parents need to contact their daughter during the school day, they can call Reception who will pass a message on.

Keep your classroom and locker tidy. Do not leave your bag or other possessions in the corridors or main lobby. The intention is to develop a self-contained approach to working so that everyone is equipped and ready to start work at once.

Guiding Principles

The NLCS Code of Conduct has been designed to ensure safety, happiness and well-being for all members of our school community. Central to the code is that we all treat each other with kindness and respect.

We should aspire to:-

Show consideration, care and courtesy for others.

Value and be inclusive of all members of our school community; listen to the opinions of others with tolerance and thoughtfulness.

Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.

Maintain uniform and appearance expectations.

Respect and follow the expectations of our code of conduct at all times.

Tutors will go through the full Code of Conduct with you at the start of the year

Students are encouraged to be kind and respectful to their peers. All forms of unkind behaviour and bullying will not be tolerated and will be dealt with under the school’s Antibullying Strategy that can be found on the school website.

Students must respect each other’s personal space and there should be no unwanted physical contact between students.

Students should show respect for the environment, and classrooms and lockers should be kept tidy.

Students should not leave their bags or other possessions in the corridors or other public spaces. Students should walk around the building calmly and quietly and keep to the right-hand side of stairs and corridors.

Students in Years 7-11 should wear the correct school uniform.

Students should be punctual for form time and all lessons.

Students should tap in using their student IDs at the start of the day at any external door when they get to school. If for any reason a student arrives late to school, they should tap their student ID in at Canons Drive or Dalkeith Grove gates to register their arrival.

Students may not leave school at any time during school hours, unless by prior arrangement. If a student feels unwell, they should go to the school nurse who will decide whether the student should be sent home. If a student has permission to leave school during the day they should tap out at one of the security huts as they leave the site.

Food may be eaten only in the Dining Room.

Chewing gum is not permitted on site.

Cedar Space

The Cedar Space, located in the Indoor Teaching Space (ITS), offers a calm and quiet environment in which to seek support or to have some quiet time. The Cedar Space is also a place where some clubs and student voice / group sessions are run, such as yoga, mindfulness, and peer mentor sessions for example. The counsellors, who are based here, offer individual appointments to support students to deal positively with thoughts, feelings and issues and experiences relating to a range of topics. These are by appointment and following a referral from a member of staff via the Head of Year, Mrs Demetriou or Ms Mellor (Head of Mental Health & Wellbeing). The counsellors also run drop in sessions and you will see information about these in tutor notices throughout the year.

Arrangement of Forms

Students coming from the same Junior Schools will usually find themselves in different forms and you will find that everyone will make new friends, as well as keeping their old ones. Do not worry about this as everyone is in the same position. Year 7 forms are placed on the ground floor near each other; you are all together for breaks and activities and, of course, many of you will have close local friends with whom you will travel on the coach.

As you move up the school the forms merge for different lessons. You will be reshuffled again, after Year 8, by which time you will know everyone well in your year group.

Duty Rota

Every week, throughout the school year, one form in the Middle School (Years 7, 8 & 9) is on the duty rota. This involves taking visitors around the school and helping the Senior Students return named lost property at lunchtimes. This is a good way to become familiar with all the different parts of the school.

Buddies

What is the buddy’s role?

Your buddy is a student in Year 10 from the same House who welcomes you to the school and helps you to settle in. Your buddy will send you a letter to introduce herself. She will answer any questions or queries that you may have. In the first week of term, there is a buddy meet up where you can get to know her. If you are worried about anything just go and talk to her and she will be happy to help you and give reassurance.

Do you need a buddy?

If you are the only person joining from your school and you do not know anybody here, having a buddy helps you feel more secure. Buddies at NLCS are very friendly and will always be there for you. Don’t be shy to ask any questions. You can talk about anything, whether it’s school issues, friendship problems or even the teachers!

Taking Care of Each Other

At NLCS we encourage a safe and supportive learning environment in which everyone can feel comfortable. You will have a Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) lesson once a week in which the following skills will be considered: making friends; listening; communicating; accepting responsibilities and following them through; setting goals and getting along with your family. During the first three years at NLCS you will be covering many other topics in your PSHE lessons that will help you handle the challenges of adolescence, such as health and sex education, as well as sessions about vaping, drugs and alcohol.

Bullying, either verbal or physical, is unacceptable and will be firmly dealt with. We foster a policy of good relations with everyone. If you are worried or upset about anything, or anyone, talk to your form tutor or another adult at school. We will help you.

To create a comfortable environment we ask every student to think about the best way she can contribute. Here are some suggestions that students in the school have come up with:

Listen to others and include them in your conversation.

Don’t save seats on coaches or in the dining room - be friendly and welcoming to everyone.

Make sure you ALWAYS wear your seatbelt when travelling by coach or minibus.

Don’t interrupt while someone else is talking.

Try to accept and understand other people’s views.

Don’t gossip about classmates or repeat things they’ve said in confidence.

Most of all, SMILE. Everyone at NLCS wants to be friendly.

Enrichment

Music at North London Collegiate School

We provide a broad range of musical opportunities for all students and strive for ambitious music making. All styles of music thrive at North London Collegiate, whether you’re interested in classical, popular or world music. We have a busy calendar of musical events for you to get involved with throughout the school year, and a range of choirs, orchestras and ensembles for you to join – a great way for you to have fun making music and new friends. Many of these groups take part in our spectacular end of term concerts in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). There are also concert opportunities for playing solos and in smaller groups in our Old House Concert Series.

We provide individual tuition in all the major instruments and singing, and if you are interested in learning an instrument at any time, please speak to Mrs Degnan (the Performing Arts Administrator) or your class Music teacher. We strongly encourage girls to take up an instrument in Year 7, particularly in rarer instruments such as the bassoon or french horn. If you are receiving lessons, information about lesson times will be posted on noticeboards which you will need to check regularly. Timings for the week ahead will be finalised before the following week, and if there are any subsequent last-minute changes these will be conveyed to you and your

Latin - A Student’s Perspective

parents by email as well as on noticeboards. You are therefore expected to check your emails regularly for any updates to lesson times. Please remember that it is your responsibility to inform teachers in advance of the academic lesson you will be missing. On the day of your lesson, please make every effort to try to remember your instrument and keep an eye on the clock, especially during double lessons! Do keep an eye on the noticeboards for details of any orchestras, ensembles and choirs you can join, or speak to your class Music teacher. We look forward to making music with you in September!

Latin in Year 7 is really fun. There is lots of history behind the language which is especially interesting to learn about. In the first book of the Cambridge Latin Course you learn about Caecilius, his wife Metella and his son Quintus. You also meet their slaves Clemens and Grumio. Their story is one riddled with death, betrayal, love, jealousy, money and deceit - guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat! The scene is set in the ancient city of Pompeii in 79CE just before Mount Vesuvius erupted. You learn about many aspects of their daily life from the forum to the baths. You also learn basic Latin grammar, which helps you with other languages. Latin is linked to several modern languages and is, along with French, the basis of the English language. Latin lessons are really interesting and fun and we are sure you will enjoy them in Year 7.

Welcome to The McLauchlan Library

The school library (The McLauchlan Library) is open from 8.15am until 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday, and until 4.15pm on Fridays. You can use the library before and after school, and during break and lunchtime.

Resources

There is a wide range of non-fiction and fiction books, journals, online resources and DVDs, both for reading for pleasure, and for reading for information to help with your studies.

You may borrow four items at any one time, for a two week period, and renew items once.

The library computers, as with other school computers, can be used to access the library catalogue, emails and the Internet, and we ask you to observe the school rules on the proper use of computer facilities

Activities

Regular activities take place in the library, including book groups and author visits.

Library monitors

If you would like to help in the library we run a short training scheme to become a library helper, and you can help with displays, library events and hosting visiting authors.

Book club

The Middle School Book Club (called Mad Hatters) is run by a committee of Year 12 students, and meets every week. All students from Years 7 to 9 are invited to join in, and the aim is to have fun while discussing and exploring books and reading more generally.

The sessions are varied and exciting. Recent examples include creating word stories and book themed cake decorating. During your school career you will come to the library with your class or form, but you will also visit us in your own time. We hope that you enjoy using the library, and you can ask any one of us for help in finding information, using library facilities, or even just for an idea of a good book to read.

We look forward to seeing you very soon.

Uniform & Equipment

Uniform 2024-2025

Skirt Brown pleated

Trousers Brown

Blouse Blue open neck, short or long sleeved

Pullover Brown V-neck with sky blue trim

Shoes Dark brown or black. They must be below the ankle and not be trainer-style leather or suede shoes. No logo should be visible. They must have a low heel, not a flat crepe or rubber sole. No ballet pumps.

Tights or socks Plain brown (socks can be knee or ankle length in the summer)

Coat Any plain dark coat, anorak or raincoat

What should be in your pencil case?

Here is a list of the basic equipment you will need in your pencil case:

Necessary Items:

1 soft brush, sable or nylon with a good point – size 4 for Art

2B pencils for Art

1 soft rubber for Art

iPads (distributed by school)

Additional Items:

pair of scissors

glue stick

ball pen no more than 12 colour pencils

geometry set containing compass, protractor, set squares (those triangle things) and sometimes a rubber, sharpener and pencil

Casio FX-991EX (‘Class Wiz’) Calculator highlighter, any colour

marking pen (red ink)

fine-liner pens

Also suggested:

gel pens for decorating posters

mini-stapler

felt tips

Many students keep two or more pencil cases, and we would recommend this. Split your things into groups and make sure everything is named.

PADLOCK

You will need to bring two padlocks: one for your sports locker and one for your locker in the form room. A combination lock is recommended (but please make sure that you do not share your code with anyone!). If you choose to have a padlock with a key, a spare key must be given to your form tutor in case you forget to bring your own key to school.

PE Uniform and Equipment

Sky blue polo shirt (at least two)

Navy skort or shorts

Navy midlayer

Navy tracksuit bottoms

House t-shirt

Navy shorts/cycling shorts

Navy football socks

White short sports

Swimming costume

Swimming hat

Swimming bag

Swimming towel - any colour

Trainers

Lacrosse boots

Lacrosse stick

Lacrosse mouthguard

School kit bag

Tennis racket in the Summer term

EVERYTHING MUST BE CLEARLY NAMED!! (see separate notes for guidance)

SPORTS MOUTHGUARDS

It is compulsory for all students to wear a mouthguard whilst playing lacrosse in lessons, practices and matches. They protect not only the teeth but the soft tissue around the mouth and good quality gum shields act as shock absorbers if there is a blow to the head.

LACROSSE EYE PROTECTION

It is highly recommended for all students to wear eye protection whilst playing lacrosse in lessons, practices and matches.

JEWELLERY

Students should not be wearing any jewellery in sports lessons (which includes earrings or other piercings). Students are not allowed to tape their ears (earrings must be removed) so please do not organise to have your ears pierced during term time or six weeks prior to the start of term. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Physical Education

You have 3 double lessons of PE a week In the Winter you will cover sports such as netball, lacrosse, swimming, gymnastics, dance and in the summer, cricket, tennis, athletics and swimming. For gym and dance, you wear a leotard (with cycling shorts if preferred) and use a changing room in the Sports Hall to get changed. For netball and lacrosse you wear your blue shirt and navy skort, blue socks for lacrosse and white socks for netball. For both of these activities you can come into school in you PE kit. If girls are selected for the netball squad they will be required to purchase a school netball dress. There are changing facilities available to all girls in the sports hall if required. For swimming, you change in the designated”wet” changing rooms located by the swimming pool.

Lacrosse is a fairly new sport for most Year 7s, and is an invasion game. It is played with a plastic stick and involves throwing and catching the ball in the net. All players must wear a mouthguard and goggles.

Everyone learns lacrosse in a double period during September to March. The squad is open to anyone. Teams will be selected from the squad to play matches against various other schools.

There are competitive and recreational opportunities in many other sports as well as lacrosse.

Frequently asked questions

What if...

..........you arrive late for school?

Upon arrival, tap your ID card on the sensor at either the Canons Park or Dalkeith Grove gates to register your arrival. You should then head directly to your lesson and explain to your teacher that you are late.

.....you have to go to the dentist/ doctor/ hospital etc?

Ask your parents to email your tutors, and absence@nlcs.org.uk to explain that you have an appointment. They will then reply to give permission for you to miss school. When leaving for your appointment, you should tap your ID card on the sensors at either the Canons Park or Dalkeith Grove gates to register yourself as absent.

.....you are too ill to come to school?

Ask a parent/ guardian to ring the Absence Line on 020 8951 6404 or email school at absence@ nlcs.org.uk before 8.30am on the first day of absence.

.....you hurt yourself or you are feeling ill?

Ask your form tutor or subject teacher if you may go to see the school nurse, in the Medical Centre. Go yourself if it is break or lunchtime. You may be sent to lie down in the sick room, or if you are very unwell, or if you need medical attention, the school nurse will ring your parents. It is important that you do not leave school without the permission of a member of staff.

.....you have lost some belongings?

Ask at Reception if any valuables have been handed in. School uniform and PE kit can be found in the lost property cupboard near the sports lockers.

.....you are not well enough to go to Games?

Bring a note from your parents for your Games teacher to excuse yourself. They will tell you what to do during the lesson.

.....you are not collected in time after school?

After 4.00pm, students are to wait in the library until they are collected, apart from Fridays when they must be collected immediately after lessons end. The library is open until 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.15pm on Friday.

.....you miss the coach or the person who collects you is long overdue?

Up to 5.30pm you can wait in the Senior School Reception in the Old House. After 5.30pm you will need to contact your parents / guardians to make arrangements for you to get home. You can go to the Sports Centre where the staff will be able to call your parents if you need them to.

Never be afraid to ask - everyone here at NLCS wants to help you.

Taking Care of your Belongings

In Senior School you will be moving around the building during the course of the day as you go from one lesson to another - carrying your possessions with you. As you can see from the equipment list there are lots of things to keep track of: Art equipment, calculator, the homework diary, PE kit plus your textbooks and exercise books. Taking responsibility for your belongings and helping your friends to remember their possessions is a manageable task if you follow these simple guidelines:

Mark every item you own with your name. This may be a tedious task, but it is vital if you want to retrieve lost property.

Buy two padlocks for your lockers and use them!

Use the breaks within the school day to change the books in your rucksack. This way you will only end up carrying around one or two subjects’ worth of books at any point in the day - your back will thank you!

Carry your student ID with you at all times.

Do not bring large sums of money or items of value to school.

If you do have something with you that is valuable, take it to Reception and it will be looked after for you.

Before you rush off to your next lesson, lunch, or break, check that you have not left anything behind. If you notice that one of your classmates has left something behind be sure to pick it up and give it to her.

If you find an item that appears to have been lost, perhaps a pen that has fallen out of someone’s bag or a calculator left on a desk, give it to the next member of staff that you see, or take it to Reception.

Unofficial Guide

Welcome to NLCS! As current members of Year 7 we felt it was our duty to include some information about life here at Canons. Our ‘unofficial’ guide includes lots of helpful hints.

Always….

…ask for advice. Everyone here is more than pleased to help you.

… make use of your buddies. They will be very kind and will help you out if you have a problem.

… keep your mobile phone secured on your Yondr pouch all day.

… get out of lessons quickly at break-time. There is a great selection of snacks to be bought in the Dining Hall. (Don’t eat too much at short breakleave room for the delicious lunch).

… keep a copy of your timetable in your bag or you might end up playing lacrosse in the Science labs.

…keep your form room and locker tidy and in order.

…tie your hair back particularly for PE, DT and Science.

… come to school wearing your PE kit on the days you have a lesson or you’ll miss one of the best lessons of the week.

… take advantage of sports teams, clubs, drama productions and meetings, but don’t over-do things or you’ll be exhausted.

…walk on the right hand side of the stairs.

…carry your ID Card with you and tap in every day at an external door.

Never….

…push on the stairs when it is crowded.

…over pack your bag.

…wear a colourful T-shirt under your school shirt. The staff are sure to notice!

Don’t…..

…forget to fill in your homework diary and get your parents to sign it each week.

…take your bag into the library.

…forget to bring lots of ink cartridges.

…talk too much when you get changed after games or else you’ll be late for the next lesson.

…worry about making friends; if you are nice to other people, they’ll be nice back.

Helpful hints

1. Remember to bring a card with your name on it to place on your desk in the first few weeks - it helps the teachers get to know who you are.

2. Do label everything with your name. Finding a lost item in the lost property cupboard will be a chore otherwise.

3. Buy two padlocks, one for your locker in your classroom and one for your sports locker to protect your valuables.

4. The School has massive grounds and there is a lot of exploring to do. Ask a guide (usually a former Junior School girl or your buddy) to show you around the secret garden, spider tree and hollow hedge.

And finally.....good news! You don’t have any homework for the first two weeks. Have a great holiday – see you in September!

Key Dates

AUTUMN TERM 2024

Friday 30 August New Staff Induction

Monday 2 September Staff INSET Day

Tuesday 3 September Staff INSET Day

Wednesday 4 September Pupil Orientation Day

Thursday 5 September Autumn Term Begins

Monday 21 October –

Friday 1 November Autumn half term holiday

Thursday 5 December 11+ entrance examination (holiday for Y7-Y13)

Friday 13 December Autumn Term ends for Lower and Senior School*

SPRING TERM 2025

Monday 6 January Staff INSET Day

Tuesday 7 January Spring Term begins for Senior and Lower Schools

Thursday 9 January Spring Term begins for First School

Monday 17 February

– Friday 21 February Spring half term holiday

Friday 28 March

Spring Term ends for First, Lower, and Senior School*

SUMMER TERM 2025

Tuesday 22 April Summer Term begins

Monday 5 May May Day Bank Holiday

Friday 23 May Staff Inset Day

Monday 26 May

– Friday 30 May Summer half term holiday

Friday 20 June Staff INSET Day

Tuesday 8 July

Wednesday 9 July

Summer Term ends for First School* and Lower School**

Summer Term ends for Senior School*

Wednesday 9 July Staff INSET Day for Junior School Staff

*Term ends at lunchtime **Term ends in the afternoon

Canons

Canons Drive

Edgware

Middlesex

HA8 7RJ

Dalkeith Grove

Stanmore

Middlesex

HA7 4SQ