Welcome to Chorlton High School - September 2020

WELCOME...

We hope you are really looking forward to beginning your learning journey with us. As well as learning in your subjects, you will also hopefully learn how to be successful, creative and happy both inside and outside of school.

It’s a little sad for me but this year I have been unable to meet many of you so I wanted to send something to you instead, mainly just to say hello but also to let you know a few things you can be looking forward to when you start with us. Also, if we’re completely honest, even the bravest amongst you will be a little scared about starting high school. After all, this is a really big change. When I visit primary schools, I get asked about the same 5 things over and over again, so I will do my very best to ease any worries you might have.

So here goes; Things you can be looking forward to:

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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The subjects: You will all know about English and Maths, since you will have done these subjects most days at primary school. This will continue to be the case and our amazing teachers will keep you progressing and learning many new skills along the way. You will also be aware of Science, but you’ve most likely not studied in laboratories or used the kind of equipment Scientists use when doing experiments.

At high school, you also have opportunity to learn more; History, Geography, Religious Education, French or Spanish or both, and we’re not nearly finished yet; PE, Dance, Drama, Art, Music, Computing, Design & Technology and, perhaps the tastiest of all the subjects, Food Preparation and nutrition… that should be something to whet your appetite!

I really hope you are looking forward to all of these but if there are any you’re perhaps not quite so keen to get started on, I know once you’ve met your teacher for that subject, their enthusiasm will have you changing your mind in no time.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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Outside the classroom: Extra-curricular activities Whether you’re a star in the making, dramatically, musically, artistically or just want to give something a go, there are opportunities to do just that and so much more. If you want to dance or try out for a sports team, then we can help you try for that. There are so many after-school clubs I couldn’t possibly list everything, all our departments run clubs to enrich your learning as well as Library clubs, wellbeing clubs, social clubs, Year 7 charity work and a multitude of sports clubs. With everything ranging between Maths cipher challenge club and Nintendo club, you will definitely find something you can look forward to taking part in.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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There’s no need to worry As I mentioned earlier, nearly everyone has something they’re a little concerned about before starting high school.

During my visits to primary schools, when I ask if anyone has anything they are nervous about, these are the things I am most often told and I will try to make you feel better about them:

Getting lost Making friends Homework Detention Bullying

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

WELCOME...

Getting lost It’s difficult to believe before you’ve started, but you will very quickly get to know your way around your new school.

An important thing to know is that on your timetable, each lesson tells you what room it is in. Each room has a letter then a number.

The letter is either G, F or S.

S = Second floor F = First floor G = Ground floor Knowing this much at least gets you on the right floor and from there, you should be able to find the number you’re looking for.

There are lots of adults around to help as well and it is also good to know that your teacher will understand that you are new to the school and you’ll not be in any trouble should you be a little late or if you go in the wrong class by mistake.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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Making friends Nearly everyone is a little worried about this. Many of you will know children from your primary schools and you will see them in your form, your lessons or at break and lunch. If this isn’t the case for you don’t worry, you will quickly get to know new people in your forms where you will do some ‘getting to know you’ activities, or during lessons where you are likely to be sat with new people - sometimes next to one person, sometimes in a small group. You can also join the after-school clubs (mentioned previously), there you will be introduced to other children with similar interests to yourself. This is an exciting time where everyone will be meeting lots of new people and chances are, you will form friendships that will last for years to come.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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Homework All the primary schools I visit expect their children to do some homework and you’ve probably felt this increase slightly in Year 6.

I don’t think you’ll feel much difference in the amount you receive during Year 7 so I don’t want you to be worried in any way about this. We set our homework online and this keeps a track of what you need to do and when and this will really help you to organise when you need to do homework. Many children choose to do this in school, on a computer in the Library at the end of the school day or in homework club in a computer room, where there are staff to help should you need it.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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Detention Avoiding detention is easy, we have a clear behaviour system in school and it will very likely be similar to something you’ve gotten used to at primary school. We call it a consequence system because any sanction given; after school detention, break time detention, phone call home etc. happen as a consequence of what has occurred in school. Our system follows a simple guide and gives you opportunities to change your behaviour so you don’t get a detention.

Here’s an example: • If you are talking to your friend in class when you shouldn’t be • Teacher or TA will give you a ‘C1’, this is a first warning for you not to continue • Later in the lesson you are talking again, or out of your chair when you shouldn’t be • Teacher or TA will give you a ‘C2’ this is a final warning but still no detention at this stage • Later in the lesson you are talking again, or out of your chair when you shouldn’t be • Teacher or TA will give you a ‘C3’ and at this stage you may be given a detention

I hope it is clear that we offer you chances to amend your behaviour so you do not receive a detention. If you receive a ‘C2’, you will be told why and therefore know not to continue this behaviour.

This system starts again at the beginning of each new lesson.

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL

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Bullying I would really love to say that nobody has ever been bullied here but very, very occasionally, instances have occurred.

What is really important for you to know, is that we are really good at making it stop immediately as long as we know about it.

This is why the most important thing to do, if this is happening to you or you see it happening to somebody else is to tell someone. Ideally this will be an adult that is there right when it is happening, but if there isn’t one there tell a teacher when you see one, tell an adult you live with when you get home and they can inform school or, if for any reason these things are difficult, you can tell school anonymously by emailing a head of year using our anti-bullying online site.

On behalf of the Access and Achievement Dept, I really hope I get the chance to meet a few of you before you start with us but if not, I hope at least that you’re now able to look forward to starting your exciting high school journey with less doubts than you had before.

Mr. Pilling Access and Achievement Coordinator

CHORLTON HIGH SCHOOL