




JULY 2017
Complete this page NOW!
Remember - to remind your parent or carer that there is a Parents’ Evening on Tuesday 4th July at 6.00pm in the main hall.
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Complete this page NOW!
Remember - to remind your parent or carer that there is a Parents’ Evening on Tuesday 4th July at 6.00pm in the main hall.
This book is intended to help you get to know the College step by step.
In this book you will find -
Page 4
Visiting the College for the First Time
Page 5 Who’s Who
Page 6 Things to Bring on your First Day
Page 7 ‘The Sidmouth College Way’
Page 8
Page 9
Positive Student Action
Negative Student Action
Page 10 The College Day
Mobile Phone & Mobile Device Policy
Pages 11 - 12
Page 13
College Uniform and Kit Lists
Tricks of the Trade
Page 14 Homework Tips
Page 15 Registration
Page 16 Get Involved!
Page 17
Physical Education
Page 18 The House System
Page 19
Trips and Visits, Music and The Library
Page 20 Student Support
Page 21 Computers
Page 22 Lunch
Bringing a Packed Lunch
Page 23 Attendance
Page 24 Safeguarding
Page 25 Key Things to Remember
Page 26 Year 7 Personal Development
Pages 27 - 28 The College Map
Welcome to Sidmouth College where you are going to spend 3 days with us before the Summer holidays. During this time you are going to:
Meet your tutor
Meet your tutor group and begin to get to know them
Meet some of the staff
Find out how the College runs - including the restaurant and the registration system.
You will also have some sample lessons.
Top Tips!
Write down below the time you will need to arrive on the third day, and the room number where you need to go.
Things I need to bring on the second day:
Time to arrive:
Room:




The First Aid Team is:-
Mrs J Barrett
Mrs J Domhof
Mrs D Elliott
Mrs K Furzey
Ms E Harris
Mrs V Harris
Ms T Walker
On the first day in September, you should bring:
Some money to top up your meal account or a packed lunch. The set meal costs £2.30p.
Your bus fare if you need it, or a bus pass if you have one.
A pen
A pencil
Coloured pencils/pens
A ruler
A rubber
A notebook
This book. Remember that it has a map in it to help you find your way around.
A strong bag to carry it all in - not a carrier bag that might fall apart!
Why don’t you tick them off on the list as you pack them.
Once you know what day your lessons are, you will need to remember to bring your books to lessons. It is important to bring your P.E. kit on the right days as well.
Remember to wear your school uniform!
Be ready to learn:
• Have the right equipment
• Wear the correct uniform in the correct way
• Be on time to lessons
• Settle quickly on entering a classroom
• Sit in your seating plan
• Follow instructions
Enable others to learn:
• Be patient with others
• Listen to others
• Respect people’s personal space and property
• Take your turn
Treat others and the environment with respect:
• Only eat in the designated places
• Do not drop litter
• Remember that manners matter
• Make sure others feel safe around you
• Speak to others as you would like to be spoken to
• Be a good role model to others
P1
Work well for yourself + 1 Point
P1.1 - Good contribution to your learning
P1.2 - Improvement in learning
SP3 - 20-25 stamps worth 1 reward point
P2
Being a good role model for others + 2 Points
P3
Outstanding representative for Sidmouth College + 3 Points
P2.1 - Excellent contribution to learning
P2.2 - Special consideration given to others
P2.3 - Respect shown for others and environment
SP4 - 26 stamps worth 2 reward points
P4
Achievement which benefits the College and wider community + 4 Points
P3.1 - Consistent effort/conduct throughout the term
P3.2 - Department/HOY Commendation
P4.1 - Excellent attendance during the year
P4.2 - Department top achiever
P4.3 - Participation in College/community life
P4.4 - Outstanding effort/conduct
P4.5 - Senior Leadership Commendation
Stop and think: you are putting the learning of others at risk
C1
C2 Failure to change behaviour You are harming the learning environment
Things that will happen:
Clear warnings will be given to you so that you can correct your behaviour
Meeting with your class teacher/tutor outside the normal lesson time/tutorial (up to 10 minutes)
1 negative point will be recorded on SIMS behaviour log reflecting the severity of your behaviour.
Other options may be used:
You may be moved to a different seat
You may be asked to remain behind at the end of the lesson/do community service.
Things that will happen:
Meeting with subject teacher/Head of Department or Tutor outside the normal lesson time (up to 20 minutes)
2 negative points recorded on SIMS behaviour log for each incident.
Other options may be used:
Parents/carers may be contacted
Sidmouth College Inclusion Phases and Report Card
Things that will happen:
C3 Failure to change behaviour or single Serious incident Department parking Failure to work/ co-operate in Departmental parking
Subject/Department detention
Department/Year referral
3 negative points reported on SIMS behaviour log
Parents/carers contacted.
Other options may be used:
Parents/carers may be invited into College
Disciplinary Panel meeting
SC Inclusion Phases and Report Card
Referral to other professionals
‘Alternative Day’, Internal Isolation or a Fixed Term Exclusion for repeated C3
Things that will happen:
‘Alternative Day’ or fixed term exclusion
C4 Failure to change behaviour OR single significant incident Isolation
4 negative points reported on SIMS behaviour log
Other options may be used:
Parents/carers contacted and invited into College
Governors’ Disciplinary Panel meeting
SC Inclusion Phases and report card
Referral to other professionals.
The times of the School day are as follows:-
8.50 - 9.15am
Registration/Assembly
9.15 - 10.15am Period 1
10.15 - 11.15am
Period 2
11.15 - 11.35am Break
11.35 - 12.35pm Period 3
12.35 - 1.35pm Period 4
1.35 - 2.20pm Lunch
2.20 - 3.20pm
3.20pm
Period 5
End of School
Mobile phones which are brought into College must be turned off and stored out of sight immediately you arrive on the premises. They must remain turned off and out of sight until you have left the College site at the end of the day.
If you are observed using a mobile phone by a member of staff for any reason, that member of staff will confiscate it immediately and take it to the College Reception for safe keeping. Phones will be returned as outlined on the College’s ‘Mobile Phone & Mobile Device Policy’ which can be seen on the College’s website under ’Students’ and then ‘Safeguarding’.
Occasions may arise where there may be a legitimate reason for making use of mobile phone technology within a lesson. In this instance mobile phones can only be used if a teacher specifically requests that students use them within their lesson.
Please be aware that the College accepts no responsibility for the loss, theft or damage of any phone or other mobile devices brought into the College.
All clothing and kit should be clearly marked with the owner’s name. House ties can normally be bought from the College Office.
Your uniform is like this -
*Black single-breasted jacket with embroidered logo
*Mid grey knee-length box-pleated skirt (no additional finishing details such as zips on pockets, patches etc) OR mid grey or black formal pressed trousers** (plain black belt )
Plain white shirt (to button to the collar)
*Clip-on College tie with House colour
Black formal shoes (no boots, trainers, canvas shoes)
Black or grey socks or black tights
Black V-neck jumper, plain (OPTIONAL)
*Black rain jacket (with logo) (OPTIONAL)
Aprons for Art and Technology
Did you know?
There is a slightly different tie for each House in the College. Do you know which House you are in?
DRAKE Green stripe
GRENVILLE Blue stripe
RALEIGH Red stripe
SCOTT Yellow stripe
Jewellery
Eyebrow jewellery, nose, tongue and lip studs must not be worn. Only sleepers or small stud earrings may be worn (one per ear). Only one ring may be worn.
Make-up
No nail-varnish is permitted or excessive make-up (eg, heavy or brightly coloured eye make-up, drawn on eyebrows, lipstick or foundation). Students may be asked to remove make-up at the discretion of a member of staff.
Hair
Hair colour should be natural and consistent (i.e. not streaked), and avoid extremes of fashion.
NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR ANY STUDENT: hooded tops; jeans; informal/skinny/stretchy trousers such as those from ‘Miss Sexy’ or leggings.
* Items available from Thomas Moore and Honiton Sports Shop
** Trousers must not be excessively skinny or baggy and must be worn on the waist (not low-slung) and full length. No denim; no jean-style cut (with rear pockets and rear yoke seam); no ornate decorative buttons/ studs.
Top Tips!
Why don’t you tick off the list when you have got it ready.
There is a College kit list. You will only need some of these things at special times of the year. Your P.E. teacher will explain.
*College rugby shirt with House colour and logo or Grey sweatshirt with hood and logo
Navy blue shadow stripe and/or rugby shorts (no skin tight or micro-fibre shorts)
Navy blue football socks
Football boots
Shin pads
Mouthguard
Trainers (non-marking soles)
White gym socks
*White polo shirt with logo
Kit bag
Astro shoes (optional)
* Items available from Thomas Moore and Honiton Sports Shop
The Rugby Football Union recently issued this advice to parents:-
“Mouthguards are essential for body contact sports such as rugby and hockey. Properly made they provide protection for the teeth and soft tissues and help to prevent concussion. Mouthguards should be custom made from accurate upper and lower impressions of the mouth.”
Base Layers: In very cold weather, students may choose to wear a base layer technical top underneath their PE top if they wish to. The base layer must match the colour of their PE top, i.e., navy underneath the blue outdoor top and white underneath the white polo shirt.
Why don’t you tick off the list when you have got it ready.
Make sure that your kit has got your name inside.
Here are 10 of our favourite ideas to help you keep organised.
1. Only have the things you need in your pencil case.
2. Have a notepad to put spellings, notes etc in.
3. Put a label on your books, so you can recognise which one it is - some of them will be the same colour!
4. Pack your things for school the night before. Then you won’t be rushing around in the morning.
5. Keep a spare pen. You never know when it will come in handy.
6. Keep a copy of your timetable on display somewhere at home.
7. Make sure you know if any lessons are different each week.
8. Keep your Student Planner neat, it belongs jointly to you and the school
9. Don’t draw on your school books. If you do, you will be charged for a new one.
10. If you don’t understand the homework, ask the teacher right away. They won’t bite your head off!
Top Tip!
Try to collect your own list of Tricks of the Trade. Use them yourself, and pass them on to your friends.
1. Write down the homework carefully in your Student Planner along with looking online at “Show my Homework”.
2. Try and do your homework the night you get it. Don’t let it build up.
3. Don’t do your homework while watching your favourite TV programme.
4. Organise your homework around the other things you want to. Don’t try and do two things at once.
5. When you get home, have a break before doing any homework.
6. Don’t do your homework late at night.
7. If you don’t understand the work you have been set, always ask the teacher who set it to help.
8. Always write the homework you have been set in your Student Planner. Make sure you understand what you have written down before you leave the lesson.
9. Make sure you get your parent to check your Planner and sign it every week.
10. Don’t spend too long on each homework but make sure you do your homework well, and try to get it to a good standard.
12. Always hand your homework in on the day you have been asked to. You should have written the date down in your Student Planner.
13. Help is available from Student Support so do not hesitate to ask.
14. It is planned to set up a Homework Club in the Autumn Term. Further details will be available when you start in September.
You will register at 8.50 am in your tutor room. Your tutor will enter your name on their computer to mark you as present. At the end of lunch you should go straight to lesson 5.
If you arrive at the College late in the morning, you will need to go to Room 65 to be registered or you will be seen by the member of staff on the gate. However, if you arrive after 09.00 am you will need to report to Reception.
Where possible we would ask you to try and arrange medical and other appointments at times outside of the school day. If you have a medical or other appointment that simply has to be in school time, ask your parent/ carer to give you a note. Please give the note to your tutor in advance. They will make sure that your appointment is put on the computer system, so that your subject teachers know that you will away that day.
If you have to leave the College site during the day, to go to a medical appointment, remember to sign out at Reception before you leave and sign in again when you return.
If you are away from school ill, the procedure is that your parent/carer must ring the College before 9.10am on the first day to let us know, and on each subsequent day of illness. Your parent/carer will receive a text/phone call from the Office if we do not know where you are.
Subject staff will also register you in each lesson to monitor your attendance so that they will know whether or not you are in school, and if you are late.
Make sure that you are in your tutor room when the bell goes at 8.50 am.
It is good manners to be silent when the teacher comes in. It is also easier to hear the register being called. You do not want to be marked absent just because you did not hear your name.
After the register stay quiet, because tutors often have notices to read out, about lunch time practices, meetings and other important things.
It is a good idea to get involved in some of the extra-curricular activities that are on offer. Posters like this one will be displayed around the College. Here is a selection of the activities available for all years in Autumn 2016. Similar activities will be run in Autumn 2017.

KS3 Drama Club Rm 30 1.352.00 GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio Y7 Boys/Girls RugbyPlaying Field (BW/MPD) Y9 Girls Basketball –Sports Hall (OC) All Years TrampoliningSports Hall (LM/BW) Room 49 Computer Room Open (when possible) –Opportunities for Homework, Coursework or programming practice Drum corps week 1 only Guitar group week 2 only KS3 Art Club –Room 42 (PR)GCSE Art Study Time –Room 43 (JLC)
Drama GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio All Years Badminton/ Table TennisSports Hall (BW)Y9/10/11 Netball –Courts/ Gym (LM)Room 49 Computer Room Open (when possible) –Opportunities for Homework, Coursework or Programming Practice GCSE Art & Photography Study Time –Room 42/41 & 43 (JLC & PR)
Drama GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio Y7/8 Girls BasketballGym (OC) All Years Indoor HockeySports Hall (LM) Room 49 Computer Room Open (when possible) – Opportunities for Homework, Coursework or Programming Practice Drum Room –Bookable for Yr 9
Drama GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio Y8/9 Boys Rugby –Playing Field (BW) Y9/10 Girls Cricket Sports Hall (MPD) Y7/8 Girls Netball Courts/Gym (SO) Room 49 Computer Room Open (when possible) –Opportunities for Homework, Coursework or Programming Practice Upper School (Y9 upwards) Student Singing Group 13.50 –14.15 Drum Room –Bookable for Yr 8
GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio Y7/8 Girls CricketSports Hall (MPD)Y10/11 Boys RugbyPlaying Field (JIH)Room 49 Computer Room Open (when possible) –Opportunities for Homework, Coursework or Programming Practice Drum Room –Bookable for Yr 11 **Table Tennis equipment
GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio Year 10 –Free “ This Girl Can ’’ Club Sports Hall LED staff Teen GymFitness Suite (LED Staff) (chargeable)
GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio All Years Boys Rugby –Playing Field (BW) Outside coaches Change in Gym All Years Girls HockeyAstro (LM/SO) Teen GymFitness Suite (LED Staff) (chargeable) East Devon Roots Choir 816 year olds 5pm6.15pm Drama GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio Teen GymFitness Suite (LED Staff) (chargeable) Music theory/GCSEtechnique weeks 1& 2 –Music Room GCSE Art Club3.304.30 (JLC)
GCSE / rehearsals as required Drama Studio All Years NetballCourts/Sports Hall (LM/SO)Creative Writing Room 71 Mrs Fisher (Week 2) Teen GymFitness Suite (LED Staff)(chargeable)
GymFitness Suite (LED Staff) (chargeable)
GCSE / rehearsals as required Hall/Drama Studio Teen GymFitness Suite LED Staff (Chargeable) after school every day
You have bought the kit, you have got the timetable. But what will you do in those weekly P.E. lessons?
During your time at the College, you will get the chance to take part in a very wide range of activities. Try this list for a start (you won’t be doing all of these in Year 7):
Athletics Hockey
Basketball Netball
Badminton Orienteering
Cricket Rounder’s
Cross-country Rugby
Dance Tennis
Football Volleyball
Gymnastics Weight Training
Health and Fitness Trampolining
There are chances to play for the College or your House in many of these sports. There are also lunchtime or after-school practices you can go to. Ask your P.E. teacher to tell you about them.
Top Tip!
Try ticking which of these activities you have done before. You could also mark which ones you would like to find out more about or go to practices in.
DON’T FORGET TO PUT YOUR NAME IN ALL YOUR P.E. KIT.
As you start at the College, you will be told which of the 4 Houses you are going to be in. You could be in:
Tick which House you are going to be in. Remember that you will need to get the correct House tie (See Page 7). The Houses are all named after famous explorers who were born in the Westcountry. They were -
See if you can find out from these descriptions which one is which (Answers at the bottom of the page).
Sir Francis Drake
Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Richard Grenville Robert Falcon Scott
a) He was born in Cornwall in 1542. He was the cousin of Sir Walter Raleigh, and led his cousin’s first expedition to America. He was killed in 1591 when fighting against a much larger Spanish fleet. He was
b) He was a famous polar explorer, born in Stoke Damerel in Plymouth in 1868. He died in 1912 while on an expedition to the South Pole. He was
c) He was a sea captain and explorer, born in Tavistock in 1543. In 1577, he left England to sail around the world. He played a large part in defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588. He was
d) He was born in Budleigh Salterton in 1554. He was a soldier, courtier, poet, historian and explorer. He organised the defence of Devon against the Spanish Armada. He was
In your House, you compete against each other for points. There are House matches in:-
Athletics Cricket Football Netball Cross-country Hockey Rugby Tennis
Some competitions have joint Year 7 and 8 teams.
Each House has a Boys and Girls Year Captain, to help organise the teams. You will choose your Captains during the year.
Whenever you earn House Points, these are added up and go towards a half term competition. The prize could be a non-uniform day for your House.
Answers to quiz -
d) heigRal
c) Drake
b) Scott
a) Grenville
During Year 7, there are a number of trips that you will be able to go on. Some will cost a little money and trips abroad will cost more. Later in the year we have Activities Week when there are a range of activities at different costs.
Music
You will have the chance to continue or start learning a musical instrument. Teachers visit the College to teach:
String Woodwind Percussion (inc Guitar) (inc Saxophone) (inc Drum Kit)
Brass
Piano Voice
There is a Carol Service in December and there are regular concerts, or you could sing with the College Choir.
The Library
Your Library Learning Centre is open from 9am; Mrs Harrison is here to help you with homework, coursework, revision or just to provide a safe haven at break and lunchtimes. There are always events and competitions advertised so do pay us a visit or log on to the Eclipse catalogue system at school or from home.
As well as teachers, your tutor and your Head of House, there are other staff in the College who are available to help students.
The Student Support room is situated on the ground floor in the centre of the College and is open from 8:45 am until the end of the school day. During break and lunch, Student Support is open for invited students to spend time playing games, joining in with additional clubs or available to provide a place for those students wishing to spend some quiet time.
The move to secondary school is a big change for all students. Sometimes extra help is needed at the beginning of Year 7 and sometimes we help students throughout their time at the College. You may find that at some stage you need some extra help.
The Student Support Team offer help in all kinds of situations. Some of the things that they can help with are as follows:
Settling into the new school, finding your way around, getting organised with your books and equipment.
Settling into new friendship groups
Organising your homework
Literacy and numeracy skills
Help with activities at lunchtimes or break times
Help when you are finding that you don’t receive all of your ‘stamps’
Someone to talk to if you are feeling upset or worried about school or something that is happening outside of school.
Student Support has a team of Learning Mentors and other support staff. You may also find that you have a Learning Mentor in your lesson or you have contact with a Learning Mentor for some other reason.
We have an Inclusion Manager and a Director of Special Educational Needs , and their job is to help students who find that they need some additional help, either throughout their time in the College, or from time to time.
You can ask your tutor or your Head of House to introduce you to these staff. Everyone will do everything we can to help you settle in and make the most of your years at Sidmouth College.
When you work on the computers in lessons, you will be using a PC. The main software you will be using is Microsoft Office and the Serif Creative Suite. It is a good idea to buy a memory stick.
Your Computer Science teacher will explain how you can use the Internet at school, and save your work onto the College network.
The College has its own Web Site. The address is:
www.sidmouthcollege.devon.sch.uk
The website is packed full of information about the College. You can take a virtual tour around the college site, find out about the exciting activities taking place at the college and much, much more!
When using the computers:
You are responsible for staying safe while using the internet and other communication technologies for educational, personal and recreational use. You should not disclose or share personal information about yourself or others when online.
You will be protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users at risk.
The College will provide you with good access to ICT to enhance your learning, and in return, expect you to agree to be a responsible user.
Remember that access is a privilege, not a right and inappropriate use will result in that privilege being withdrawn or disciplinary action being taken.
If you need to use a computer for work you may be able to go to Student Support or Rooms 49 and 53. These rooms are normally open at breaktimes, lunchtimes and after school.
Your username and password should be like a toothbrush - do not share it, or try to use any other person’s username and password.
There is a wide range of healthy hot and cold meals on sale in the Restaurant every lunchtime.
Each year group takes it in turn to go into lunch first. When you are in Year 7, you are first into lunch on MONDAYS. A bell rings to tell when it is time to line up outside. Your tutor will show you where to wait.
Each day there is a set meal - in September it will remain at £2.30. Or you can choose from the wide selection of food and drink available.
If you receive free school lunches you are entitled to a packed lunch if you let the Canteen know when you are going on trips.
Keep it balanced – Some ideas on packed lunches
The College Restaurant provides a wide variety of nutritious and healthy food. So why not make use of this service. However, we understand that some of you might want to bring a packed lunch.



Enjoy your lunch!
Understanding the importance of being on time: Students who are always on time are the students who earn the best grades, win scholarships, and get into the top universities. In the working world, employees who are consistently on time are more likely to be considered for promotions. Encouraging good punctuality gets students into the habit of doing things on time!
Students are expected to arrive at College in good time and to be in their tutor room ready for registration at 8.50am. If they arrive after this but before 8.55am (second bell) the tutor will record “L” on the register. The student will spend however long they were late with their tutor at break time. For example a student arriving at 8.54am will spend 4 minutes with their tutor at first break. To help with intervention during the detention explore the reasons behind the lateness and offer any advice or strategies that may be needed. If the student does not attend the break time detention, the tutor will record this as a C1 and inform both the student and Head of House. The tutor will enforce a 20 minute detention. If the student fails to attend the detention, the HOH will record a C2 and a lunchtime detention will be issued with HOH.
For students arriving between 8.55am and 9.00am. They will register in Room 65 or on the gate with the Duty Leader for that day and be given a mark in the late register (the attendance officer monitors this and uses colour coding to highlight repeat offenders and issues a C1). Any late students will be expected to find the duty leaders at break time for a minimum of a 5 minute detention. If they do not attend this they will lose 25 mins of their lunchtime on duty with the leader on that day. If they do not attend this detention a C3 will be recorded and an SLT detention will be issued. Parents will also be contacted.
For students arriving after 9.00am. They will register at the front office. Tutors should not register them but send them to the Front Office. This late will be recorded as “U”. The parent will be contacted by the attendance officer and the lateness recorded on SIMS as a C2. The student will be informed that they have the responsibility to be on time and if three late marks occur in a half term they will attend and SLT after college detention. The HOH will be aware of this lateness on their SIMS home page.
Students who are late on 3 occasions will be given an SLT detention. The HOH Admin Assistant will issue the ‘Late Detention' list each Monday and send an email to HOH and tutors for checking.









In one of your lessons, your teacher will ask you to say how useful you found this book. You can also make some suggestions on how it could be made better. On these two pages decide on some questions to help you do that. You could answer them at any point during your first 2 terms.
Remember - that the first day of next term is Wednesday 6th September, at 8.50 am.


Shade in your tutor room. Write down the rooms where your lessons will be. Your tutor will give you a timetable. Write down the names of the teachers as well. Try learning their names.
Subject
Art
Room No. Teacher
Geography
Computing
Languages
Religious
Science
