Year 7 Transition Guide 2024

2024 YEAR 7 TRANSITION GUIDE

Welcome

!

We are all very excited about you joining us and have put together some activities and information about being part of The Ashcombe School.

The Ashcombe School is a friendly, caring environment where you will have the chance to learn and grow, and enjoy being part of our community.

I am Mr Ravenhill, Head of Lower School, and your Head of Year will be Mrs Palmer. We are working very hard to ensure everyone who joins us in September has a happy and successful transition to secondary school.

I am Mrs Palmer, Head of Year 7, and I am very excited to welcome you to The Ashcombe as you move from Primary to Secondary School. I have been at The Ashcombe for just over eight years and it is a wonderful community to be a part of and I know you will be very happy here.

We have lots of extracurricular clubs for you to join and very caring staff who will help you achieve your very best.

Do check out the page about designing our year group shield. I am very much looking forward to seeing all your ideas for it to help create our identity for our year group!

The Ashcombe is a friendly and wonderful place to be and we are very much looking forward to meeting you all soon!

KEY DATES

This booklet will give you information to get ready for starting at The Ashcombe in September 2024.

There are also a range of optional activities included for you to try and bring along with you to the Induction Day on Tuesday 2nd July 2024.

Week ending 28th June

Monday 1st July 2024

Tuesday 2nd July 2024

Week beginning 26th August 2024

Monday 2nd September 2024

Tuesday 3rd September 2024

Wednesday 4th September 2024

TutorGroupsconfirmed

InductionEveningfor parents/students

InductionDayforYear7

TransitionProject INSET

Year7andYear12start

Wholeschoolstarts

We are all really excited about welcoming you and your parents into The Ashcombe community and looking forward to meeting you all soon!

You are also more than welcome to email us with any questions you might have: info@ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk

You can also check the website for news and updates:

www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/Admissions/Joining-Secondary-School/

What we are reading at The Ashcombe:

Mrs Palmer is r4eading: ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr

Mrs McTigue is reading:

‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne

Mr Panting is reading:

‘Waterland’ by Graham Swift

Mrs Janes is reading:

‘Nightshade Revenge’ - the final book in the Alex Rider series, by Anthony Horowitz

Miss Allen is reading: Miss Seavenoaks is reading:

Mr Andews is reading:

James Kerr ‘Legacy’ – what the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ ‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman

ACTIVITY 1 -

What is the title of the book you are reading?

Tell us a little bit about what happens in the book Tell us about your favourite character and why? Would you recommend this book? Why? Why not? Things you could include:

School Day

Your school day will be different to what you are used to at your primary school, including when you get to eat - a very important part of the day! Periods (made up of 2 lessons) are 70 minutes each. You will be given your timetable by your tutor on your first day in September - there will be 4 periods a day, covering all your subjects.

Lower School Timetable

8.45am

8.50am

9.00am 9.05am

3.30pm

Students must be on site

Students should be in Tutor Rooms

End of Morning Registration

Period 1&2

Period 3&4

Break Time - dining hall open

Period 5&6

Lunch Time - dining hall open

Afternoon Registration/Assembly Time

Period 7&8

End of school day - home time and after school clubs

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

TUTOR GROUPS AND FRIENDS

HOUSES We have 4 different ‘Houses’ at Ashcombe – Stuart, Tudor, Windsor and York – and you willbeinoneoftheseallthewayto theendofYear11.Therearelotsof opportunities to compete against the other Houses and have lots of fun gaining rewards at winter and summer games, music and much more.

TUTOR GROUP When you join us in September, you will be in a Tutor Group of about 30 other students and have your own form tutor –you’ll get to know everyone very quickly and you will be in most of your lessons together. Your tutor is your daily contact and is there to helpandsupportyouwithanything youneed.

FRIENDS You wrote down the friends you would like to be with –we will try to ensure that you will be with one of them when starting Year7.Whenyoucomealongtothe Induction Evening in July, that will be the chance to meet your tutor and find out which other students youwillbewith.

SOME MESSAGES FROM CURRENT YEAR 7S

“Before I joined The Ashcombe I felt nervous because it was completely new from what I was used to. But after the first term I felt much more relaxed because I knew the routine and I had made friends. My advice for a new year 7 would be to try and meet new people outside your friendship group and try your best in every lesson!”

SAM

“After the first few weeks I felt better and more confident about coming here because everyone was so welcoming and here to help! Don’t worry about getting lost! People are there to help you and you’ll get to know the school over time!”

BETH

“The Ashcombe is a really lovely school. All the teachers were so welcoming, and my tutor is great too. It’s been fun to meet new people and make new friends. There are lots of clubs you can join as well, which are always fun!”

ISLA

“At The Ashcombe you feel like the teachers know you and you get lots of help finding your way around and getting used to being in a big school. You will fit in! There are so many people to make friends with!”

“When I came to The Ashcombe I felt more confident after the first couple of weeks, and I was really excited to see how the school year would turn out! Remember not to worry too much! Everyone is new and you’re not alone.”

JOSIE

“I felt so comfortable after the first couple of weeks at The Ashcombe. All the teachers were very supportive, and I knew the school better. Don’t get worried about coming to secondary school! Stay calm and enjoy it!”

“I felt a lot better after the first few weeks because I knew where everything was, and I was really enjoying my lessons. If you try your best and keep going then you will get used to all the routines.”

“I felt nervous before joining because there were only a couple of people I knew who were coming here but after the first term I knew where I needed to go for my lessons, and I had made lots of friends and everybody was very welcoming. I would tell the new year 7s that the first day is scary but once you get to know the school it’s lovely and all the teachers are really welcoming and nice!”

DANIEL

HENRY JACK

Get Ahead

Every morning in the SLC 8.30 - 8.45

A chance to talk through the day with TAs

ACTIVITY 2 - Moving

Up!

Watch a video about 4 young people starting secondary school. Have a think about what you see.

You can find it on YouTube and it's called ‘Moving Up! The transition to secondary school’ or here: https://youtu.be/thnoUraeoGs

Some things to think about:

What were some of the students' worries about starting secondary school?

Can you think of any other concerns people might have?

What did they realise at the end?

Discuss the ideas with your parents or friends

ACTIVITY 3 -

Design a Shield

Can you help us design and create our year group shield?

Below are a few words which could be incorporated in your design. Can you think of any other or different words too?

Belong : Aspire : Succeed : Communication

School Uniform

Your school uniform makes you part of The Ashcombe-and webetmostofyouwillhavea photographfromyourfirstdayinSeptember!

Uniformitems arepurchasedfrom'LoveYour Logo'inDorking. https://www.loveyourlogo.com/

The Ashcombe School's Preloved Uniform store is run by PTA volunteers to support sustainable re-use of good quality school uniform items, raising funds to reinvest into our school. More informationonsalescanbefoundhere: www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/Parents/PTA/ uniform@ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk

School Site

People often worry about getting lost when at a new school - it is a very spacious site, but you will quickly get used to it.

In the first week, Year 7 students leave lessons 5 minutes early and teachers will walk with you to the next lesson. Year 7s go to break and lunch 10 minutes early. And there are lots of staff who are happy to help, if you can't remember where things are.

The school has two main buildings, Ranmore and Bradley.

All rooms are labelled and will be named on your timetable. If your lesson is in Bradley, the classroom will begin with a B - B18 for example. In Ranmore, it could be R23.

You will get a map on your Induction Day, and a tour of all the classrooms.

Dining Hall

ACTIVITY 4 - Embracing Change

Using the ideas in the list, fill in the table with changes you are looking forward to about starting secondary school, and some of the changes you might not be so sure about.

Making new friends

Getting lost

Having a different uniform

Learning new subjects

Being the youngest

Homework

The variety of activities

Meeting my new teachers

Remembering equipment

Being on time

The journey to school

Lunch-Time

School rules

Anything else

ACTIVITY 5 - Write to your Tutor

Write a letter to your new form tutor telling them a bit more about yourself. There are some ideas below to get you started, but it's up to you what you want to say. Use the next page for your letter.

Letter to my Tutor Help Sheet

I am looking forward to secondary school because... Freedom More responsibility Individual Subjects Larger size

Facilities Friendships Challenge Opportunity I can be an individual

I am nervous about starting secondary school because... Afraid Getting lost Travelling Shy Support New teachers

Relationships Difficult Expectations Older students Homework

My favourite thing about primary school was... Friendships Teacher Favourite subject Reading Knowing everyone Sports

My least favourite thing about primary school was... SATs Homework Not enough freedom A particular subject

My friends would describe me as......

Outgoing Brave Lively Cheeky Clever Funny Talkative Trustworthy Shy Quiet Loud Nervous Creative Team player Well-behaved

I'd really like you to know that....

I train for swimming early in the mornings/I don't get on with my sister/I find it hard to concentrate at home/Sometimes I travel a long way to see my family/I know everything there is to know about Vikings/I recently lost my dog which was very upsetting

ACTIVITY 5 - Write to your Tutor

Use the space below to write your letter - it can be as long or short as you want. Bring the booklet along to Induction Day on 2nd July. I look forward to reading your letter and seeing how you are doing. Feel free to continue on another sheet of paper.

Years 7, 8 and 9 meet on Thursdays

Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 on Fridays

PM registration

Upstairs meeting room in SLC

darnell.fiona@ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk

ACTIVITY 6 - Strengths and Goals

Can you think of two strengths you have that will help with the transition to secondary school?

1

2

Can you identify three goals you would like to achieve in Year 7? 1 2 3

Homework

Your teachers set work to be completed out of lessons on a regular basis to improve your learning.Allsubjectssethomeworkregularly.

In Years 7 and 8, the allocation is 15-30 minutes per subject and, in Year 9, 30-40 minutes per subject. The amount of Year 7 homework will be gradually increased over the Autumn term. To aid settling in, no homework will be set for the firstfewweeks.

There is a Homework Club after school in the library.Allstudentsarewelcometoattendthis.

Subjects

One of the main differences between primary and secondary school is moving around between lessons and having lots of different teachers for differentsubjects.

Each day, you will be taught by four teachers in a rangeofsubjects:

Modern Foreign Languages, including French and German Humanities - Geography, History and Religious Studies

Takealookonourwebsiteformoreinformationabout thesubjects: www.ashcombe.surrey.sch.uk/Curriculum/

Everyday 3:30 – 4:30

Downstairs in the Library .

Come use the computers , printers and resources .

Get help with anything you’re unsure about .

Open to EVERYONE ! (And get a biscuit )

Food

The Dining Hall will be open for you in the morning from 8.15am when you will be able to buy a hot drink and breakfast. There is also delicious porridge available.

You can sit in the dining hall and wait for friends to arrive - it is a lovely space and warm in the winter months. It is open at break and lunch-time with a wide choice and daily specials - take a look at the current menu alongside. There are also sandwiches, paninis, salad bar and lots more. Year 7 go to break and lunch 10 minutes early.

You can bring your own food to eat in the Dining Hall too.

Snappy Solutions

It is completely normal to be feeling a mixture of emotions about coming to Secondary School. At The Ashcombe you will find friendly and supportive tutors and teachers to support you should you have any worries or problems which you can talk about. Any of us can experience an unexpected challenge at some point too. Below are some ideas of how to prepare to give yourself the best possible start.

If you miss your bus home, don’t worry. Go back to school and tell a member of staff.

Check you have important numbers in your phone including the school phone number.

If you have a mobile phone make sure it is on silent or turned off in school. If you want to contact home during the day you can ask at Reception.

If you get up late for school, still come in. It’s better to be late than not come in at all.

If you forget to put money on your lunch account, let your tutor know. Don’t be hungry; you’ll still be able to get something to eat.

It’s useful to plan ahead and get your school bag ready the night before to avoid forgetting something and rushing around in a morning.

Join clubs and school activities, this will help you make friends.

First Day

3RD SEPTEMBER 2024

We are running a second Induction Day on Tuesday 3rd September for our new Year 7 group. Year 7 will be in school (along with Year 12 - the Lower Sixth Form) without any other year groups. This will ensure you have another day to get to know the school, your tutors and, of course, new friends before therestoftheschoolreturnonWednesday4thSeptember2024.

This is the day that we set students up with their biometrics for theDiningHallandhavethatallimportantschoolphototaken!