2015 Transition

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Due to the resounding success of the transition fortnight in previous years we have again organised stimulating activities for your child in July 2015. We at Norham are very aware of how important this time is to you and your child and we are planning to make the transition as easy and exciting as possible.

Information for Transition Weeks 6th – 17th July 2015 Monday 6th July - All pupils to make their own way to Norham for 10am with their parents for a “Welcome to Norham Assembly”.

Pupils to be dismissed at 2.50pm from Norham to make their own way home.

All other transition days - Pupils to make their way to Norham for 8.25am start and they will be dismissed at 2.50pm to make their own way home.

What should you do if your child is absent?

If your child is absent you should contact the school to inform us as soon as possible on the morning of absence and every day after that until your child returns to school. Tel: 0191 2005062 New Intake Parents’ Evening During the first week of the transition fortnight you and your child are invited to a New Intake Parents Evening on Thursday 9th July starting at 6pm here at Norham. Please arrive at the main entrance of the school for 5.50pm where you will be met by a member of our staff.

At this event you and your child will be introduced to the Headteacher, their Key Stage 3 Co-ordinators and their Form Teacher. We feel this is a good opportunity for you to ask any questions in a relaxed environment whilst enjoying some light refreshments.

Contact Information If you have any queries or concerns during this transition fortnight please do not hesitate to contact us. Please ring the school and ask to speak to Mrs Forster who is the Key Stage 3 Pastoral Co-ordinator.

The welfare of your child is of the utmost importance to us, so do not hesitate to get in touch about anything you would like to discuss.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Norham High School Uniform Only the following items are recognised as uniform: Shirt:

Plain white shirt / blouse (no logos or patterns).

Tie:

Official Norham Tie.

Jumper:

Official Norham black jumper with the school logo.

Skirt / Trousers:

Black trousers/skirt – no jeans or leggings.

Shoes:

Plain black – shoe or boot, no logos or stripes.

Jewellery/Make Up :

Ears – one pair of plain gold or silver studs - No eyebrow studs / rings - No piercing of the nose - No body Piercings - Hair: extensions or ‘extreme’ styles and/or colouring are not allowed - Fingers – one discreet signet ring - Make-up: if noticeable, it’s too much

PE Kit:

This year at Norham we are introducing our brand new PE Kit. The basic kit which Norham will purchase for your child is a Norham Polo T-shirt and a pair of Norham jogging bottoms.

You will also be given the opportunity to purchase Norham shorts and hoodie if you so wish.

Trainers MUST be worn for PE and pupils will be advised as to what footwear is needed for outside lessons.

More information on PE kit and how to order extras will be given on the Parent Intake Evening on Thursday 9 th July 2015.

Mobile Phones: The use of mobile phones and electronic devices is totally prohibited at all times during the school day. This includes breaks and lunchtimes. Misuse of phones will result in the phone being confiscated. The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss or theft of a phone.

Week 1 Programme - 6th – 10th July 2015 Monday at Norham After the assembly, pupils will take part in a range of team building sporting activities throughout the day. Please note PE kit will be required.

Tuesday at Plessey Woods On Tuesday, pupils will visit Plessey Woods for a selection of outdoor activities.

Appropriate clothing should be worn. You should also supply your child with a packed lunch and a drink unless they are entitled to a free school meal. Drinks and snacks from the café can be purchased throughout the day so your child can bring a small amount of cash with them.

Wednesday Open Top Bus Tour On Wednesday, pupils will embark on a sightseeing open-top bus linking all the city’s attractions such as The Angel of the North, Newcastle Quayside and the Baltic Centre. You should also supply your child with a packed lunch and a drink unless they are entitled to a free school meal.

Thursday at the Coast On Thursday, pupils will visit Tynemouth Longsands and Tynemouth Park. During the day they will play on the inflatable slides and play Crazy Golf in the park and then take part in beach activities. Your child will be provided with fish or sausage and chips from Marshalls Fish and Chip Shop free of charge. They can also purchase drinks and snacks from the café in the park throughout the day, so your child can bring a small amount of cash with them.

Friday at Norham On Friday, pupils will again be in Norham participating in circus skills and other activities.

Mrs Smiles KS3 Progress Leader

Mrs Hush Headteacher

Mr Forster KS3 Co-ordinator Yr6/7

Week 2 Programme – 13th – 17th July 2015 Focus Week The second week at Norham is whole school Focus Week. During the week the whole school takes part in a varied curriculum. This may include trips out of school as well as formal lessons on the selected theme of the week.

Essential Information Lunches Your child should bring a packed lunch or purchase lunch from the school canteen during transition, if your child is entitled to free school meals then a lunch will be provided for them.

PLEASE NOTE: NO child will be allowed to leave the premises at lunchtime as Norham operates a CLOSED GATE policy.

Uniform Your child will be expected to wear primary school uniform for the two weeks of transition.

The exceptions to this will be the visits out of school. On these occasions your child will be expected to wear suitable clothing for the trip BUT still wear their primary sweatshirt. This is for identification purposes.

IMPORTANT - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are all outdoors, so can you please make sure that your child has sun cream and/or a cap to prevent burning if the weather is fine. Likewise if it is wet weather please make sure your child has a waterproof jacket.

Miss L. Christie Form Tutor

Mr S. Forster Form Tutor

Miss K. Foreman Form Tutor

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Punctuality matters Good attendance includes being there on time. The habit of good punctuality will help your child throughout their education on into adult life and the work place.

We are here to help, if you are experiencing difficulties with your child’s lateness or attendance, please get in contact with the school. You can speak directly with the Education Welfare Officer, Clare Hendry, who can visit you in your home or via telephone conversation to discuss the matter further on 0191 2005062 extension 422.

How to report your child’s absence If your child is ill or if they are going to be late, it is vital that you inform school by following these steps…  Call 0191 2005062  Select pupil absence from the options given  Clearly state your child’s full name and reason for absence  Absences must be reported every day until your child returns to school Holidays during term time In a push to improve pupil attendance levels across the country, new government legislation means that head teachers will no longer be able to authorise any requests for children to be taken out of school to go on holiday during term time.

Previously schools were able to authorise up to 10 days of leave from school. However, the new law states that requests for leave can only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and family holidays do not fall into this category.

Any requests for leave must still be made in writing to the school in advance, but the head teacher will not authorise any requests for holidays during term time. The legislation states that from September 2014, parents who take their children out of school could face a fine for each period of unauthorised absence.

The school day 08.25 08.30 08.40 09.40 10.40 10.55 11.55 12.55 13.40 13.45 13.50 14.50

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First Bell Registration Period 1 Period 2 Break Period 3 Period 4 Lunch First Bell Registration Period 5 End of School Day

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Who to contact from September 2015 If you have any queries or concerns about how your child is performing in lessons please contact Mrs Smiles. Likewise if your concerns are related to how your child is fitting in / coping with Norham then contact Mrs Forster. You will have a chance throughout the year to discuss anything else about your child with their form tutor and subject teachers at Parents Evenings.

Attendance Pupils’ attendance is recorded electronically at the beginning of every lesson. Attendance rates which fall below 95% give serious cause for concern. A 95% attendance rate over the school year (19 missed days) affects your child’s chances of success by a drop of 1 grade at KS3/GCSE across all subjects. Attendance rate below 85% will result in contact from the Educational Welfare Officer. Attendance and punctuality is discussed in more detail on the following pages.

Rewards and Sanctions Certificates, post cards and letters home for behaviour, attendance, and effort are also awarded and can be kept and added to progress files. Reward points are awarded by staff and pupils can then ‘purchase’ various items of school and sports equipment, as well as a selection of vouchers from our ‘One Stop Shop’ by cashing in their reward points.

Detentions - break, lunch and after school detentions are possible sanctions. For afterschool detentions 24 hours’ notice is given and a letter is sent to parents to confirm. It is the responsibility of the parent / guardian to get their child home after detention. Other sanctions can include: verbal warnings, behaviour report, contracts and fixed-term exclusions.

Pupil Diary Each child is given a Diary at the start of the year in which they can record any homework given, there is a space for staff and parents to communicate, space to record targets, achievements and information for progress files along with other information about the school. Diaries will be checked by tutors, Key Stage Co-ordinator and the Progress Leader of Key Stage at various points during the year.

Our Mission Statement Promoting academic success in a supportive environment.

Please find below some really important dates for your diary Thursday June 25th 2015 - Open Evening 5pm - 6.30pm Uniform can be purchased at this event Saturday 27th June 2015 - Norham Family Fun Day Bring the whole family and have a great day out!

Monday 6th July 2015 - Transition Fortnight Begins Year 7 arrive with parents at 10am.

Thursday 9th July 2015 - New Intake Parents Evening 6pm Come along and meet the staff Friday 17th July 2015 - Summer Holiday Begins School will close at 2pm Tuesday 1st September 2015 – Training Day Wednesday 2nd September 2015 - Return to school Thursday 24th September 2015 - Open Evening 5pm - 6.30pm Friday 23rd October 2015 - Half Term Monday 2nd November 2015 - Return to school

Believe

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Strive

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Achieve

Headteacher: Mrs Tracy Hush, Alnwick Avenue, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE29 7BU Tel: (0191) 200 5062

Fax: (0191) 200 5065

E-mail: norham.high@northtyneside.gov.uk Website: www.norhamhigh.com Follow us on Twitter: @norhamhigh