About us
Welcoming Procedures for New Pupils
"The school works hard to ensure that there is a welcoming community atmosphere, where pupils' respect for those less privileged than themselves is clearly evident in the high levels of personal commitment to working together for the common good." (Ofsted 2009)
The school works hard to ensure that there is a welcoming community atmosphere, where pupils' respect for those less privileged than themselves is clearly evident in the high levels of personal commitment to working together for the common good.We hope to help you make the best start you can in secondary school. We can suggest some things you can do to prepare yourself for the first week. We will tell you what to do if you have problems or are unsure of anything. We will explain what to expect, what some things are called, and what your teachers will expect from you. All of these things will allow you to have a successful start at secondary school.
There will be lots of new opportunities at Nicholas Breakspear. You will:
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Meet and make new friends
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Learn more about Science and ICT in specialist laboratories and ICT suites
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Use tools, machines and equipment to make things in Technology
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Learn new languages
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Learn about a wide range of subjects from teachers who are specialists in each subject
- Join all types of clubs, like music, art , drama and sport.
The key to success is always aim to
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Do your best in everything
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Do as your teachers (and parents) tell you
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Be organised
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Be polite to everyone you meet
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Have a go at everything on offer
There so many changes to adjust to that you may need some help in your first few days. You must not be afraid to talk to your Form tutor about any worries. Your Head of Year will always be there to discuss any serious problem. It is your opportunity to make a fresh start and a good start.
YOUR FIRST DAY AND WEEKS
On your first day at Nicholas Breakspear School you go to the main hall where the Form Tutors and Head of Year 7 will meet you. The Head Teacher will talk to you and then you will go with your Tutor to your Form room.
¨ A timetable - we have a two-week timetable so your timetable will indicate Week 1 or Week 2. It will show the subject teacher and the room to go to.
¨ a homework diary and planner
Your homework diary is so important that we ask your parents/guardians to sign it each week. Your Tutor will also
sign it about every two weeks and your Head of Year and senior staff will check it periodically. It should be used as a
contact book between home and school. You should always have your diary with you and it should be kept free from graffiti.
Homework is important because:
¨ It helps to go through and learn work you have been doing in your lessons
¨ It helps prepare for your next lesson
¨ It allows you to work on your own and to do your work as well as possible to your own standards
¨ It allows you to read more about a subject than is possible in the lesson
Try to find somewhere quiet to do your homework or join the homework club in school to get some extra help.
You will be taken to lunch. The NBS Diner is open before school and at break time. Students may buy snacks and drinks. At lunchtime they may either buy a Meal of the Day or choose from an extensive menu. Students who prefer to have packed lunch may eat in the NBS Diner. No food or drink may be consumed in any other part of the building. During the first week you will probably go into lunch first but then it works on a rota system with each year group going first on one day in the week.
At the end of school, you will be dismissed from the main hall. You will be shown where to line up for the buses.
In the first few weeks you will also:
¨ Be given a homework timetable
¨ Take some tests
¨ Have a fire drill
¨ Go on retreat
