Dear Parents and Carers,
Firstly, I hope you are enjoying your summer break, I know that the run up to the return to school can be anxious, so I thought I would get in contact to aid the preparation for the return to school!
Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th of September are INSET days for staff. The new Year 7 cohort will have their Headstart Day (where they are the only year group in school) on Wednesday 6th September. The day will run from 8.40am until 1.20pm, where students will be dismissed.
Years 8-11 begin school on Thursday 7th September at 8.40am. We expect all students in on time in full school uniform and fully equipped (including their Chromebook for Y8-11). As outlined below, students will receive training on the ‘AMSI Way’ – our expectations of conduct and behaviour. School will finish on Friday at 1.20pm to allow for preparations for the commencement of lessons on Monday 11th September..
Uniform
The school uniform list can be found here. If you have any issues, please let your child’s head of year know ahead of time (email addresses can be found here). I understand that shoes are an expensive part of the uniform, so will draw your attention to the fact that students are allowed to wear black trainers to school – but they must be all black. Crocs/Sandals are not appropriate footwear for school.
| These are acceptable. | These are not acceptable. |
Should students not be appropriately attired (including piercings and/or acrylic nails etc), they will either be sent home or placed into the Reflection Room until the issues are rectified.
Synopsis of Behaviour Policy Changes
In July I wrote to you to explain some changes to the school Behaviour Policy – below is a reminder.
- The AMSI Big Ten – first point changes from Politely Follow Instructions to First Time, Everytime.
- There will be specific guidance for students and staff on how to behave in different scenarios – in the classroom, in transition around the school site, in unstructured time, in assemblies and during a fire drill etc.
- Welfare walks will take place during every lesson – these will be undertaken by key staff, who will visit every classroom to check all is well, and to open the toilet for any student that needs it.
- There will be a medical on call system for students that need assistance.
- As a general rule, students must not be out of lessons unless accompanied by a staff member.
- The Sanctions Ladder;
- D1 – Now only given for not completing homework – students will be expected to attend Homework Club before or after school.
- D2 – Given largely for operational issues – late to school, incomplete REP (Reading Book, Equipment, Planner), poor uniform, not attending Homework Club, incorrect use of Chromebook, unsafe behaviour etc. Students will be given a 30 minute same day detention. Failure to complete this will result in a D3 Reflection Sanction.
- D3 Reflection – a single extreme incident, or failure to regulate behaviour after a regulation break. Students will be taken to the Reflection Centre, where they will remain for the rest of the day, staying until 4pm. Failure to complete this will result in a fixed term exclusion.
It should be noted that the school does not have a legal responsibility to either notify nor seek permission from parents to keep a child after school for a sanction – we do so as a courtesy that shows respect.
Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the Year Ahead Meetings that we have planned, which will be a chance for you to meet your child’s teachers and hear key infromation for the year ahead. The event will run from 4.00pm – 5.30pm, with the presentation of key information from 4.45pm. The dates are as follows:
- Key Stage 3 Students – Thursday 07 September.
- Key Stage 4 Students – Monday 11 September.
Should you have any queires ahead of the return to school, please do not hesitate in contacting me.