1. Year 8 Parents’ Information Evening September 2014

2. Options Year Key dates in the calendar: 7th January - subject evening 21st January - options evening 6th February - deadline for options forms Information on Pathways and the Options Booklets will be given out between the subject evening and options evenings. Students/parents will have the opportunity to have a careers appointment. Students will also have information assemblies at this time.

3. Reporting on Progress Tracking Points: 1 – Term 1 (Oct) 2 – Term 2 (Dec) 3 – Term 3 (Feb) 4 – Term 5 (April) 5 – Term 6 (June) Subject Evening: 10 Dec Full Report: 22 June Additional appointments can be made whenever you are concerned or want an extra update.

4. Our Expectations: Uniform Polo shirts must be tucked in while students are in lessons. No make-up is allowed in years 7-9. Simple stud earrings (one per ear), one watch and one simple ring may be worn. No other jewellery is permitted. Hair colour should be natural and the style should not be a fashion ‘extreme’. Coats should be plain black. Hats must be removed when inside school buildings.

5. Homework Homework will be given regularly by all subject teachers. The expectation is that students complete homework as soon as possible after it is given to avoid last-minute worries and to allow time to seek help from the teacher if needed. Students should take responsibility for collecting homework that they have missed. If homework is not handed in by the deadline, a detention will be set. For after school detentions, you will be informed at least 24 hours in advance.

6. Extra-curricular The school extra-curricular brochure will be available next week, and will list the many clubs and activities available to year 8 students. Please encourage your child to share this information with you and to discuss what activities they would like to try.

7. Maths Homework Support English Homework Support MFL Homework Support Support with homework and the opportunity to use MyMaths. Wednesdays 3-3.45pm in D26. English Faculty Homework club for Years 7-9. Tuesdays 3- 4pm in English Office It is on offer D26, every Tuesday lunchtime and afterschool. Tuesdays lunchtime and after school

8. Sports Activities MONDAYTUESDAYWEDNESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAY After school 3.15 – 4.15 Dodgeball Years 7, 8 and 9 (Coach) Volleyball (Sports Hall) All Years, SOT Rugby Year 8, JMO Netball Year 8/9 SLO/MGA Walking Football Lunchtime, MLI Hockey Mixed All Years HML Badminton All Years, JDU Girls Rugby All Years, VMA Girls’ Football All Years SOT Table tennis Mixed All Years Coach Athletics HML Basketball All Years

9. Art Club Time: Tuesdays, 3:10 – 4:15 Place: C10 Photography Club Time: Mondays, 3:00 – 4:00 Place: C5 Creative Writing Club Time: Wednesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 Place: L2

10. MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday Lunch Times 1:05- 1:35pm Clarinet Ensemble - NMO in G1 Vocal Group – LJO in G9 Open House – music practise rooms Samba Group – LJO in G9 String Orchestra – NMO in G5 Year 7 Drama Club – LRO in Drama Studio Open House – music practise rooms Flute Group – NMO in G5 Guitar Group – in G9 in G9 Open House – music practise rooms Hand Chimes – NMO in G5 9# Open House – music practise rooms School Show Rehearsals Folk Group – LJO in G9 Open House – music practise rooms Expressive Arts Faculty – 2014/2015 Extra-Curricular Activities Aspire, Create, Express

11. MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday After School 3:15- 4:15pm School Show Rehearsals – NMO, GBR, LRO, LJO Open House – music practise rooms GCSE/A Level Music Coursework Sessions – LJO & NMO School Show Rehearsals – NMO, GBR, LRO, LJO J Open House – music practise rooms Wind Band - LJO in G1 School Show Rehearsals – NMO, GBR, LRO, LJO JAS Open House – music practise rooms Choral Group – LJO in G9 SWA School Show Rehearsals – NMO, GBR, LRO, LJO, JAS Open House – music practise rooms Department Time. Expressive Arts Faculty – 2014/2015 Extra-Curricular Activities Aspire, Create, Express

12. Support for Learning We have 25 teaching assistants who support the progress of all students in lessons. Students who face challenges to their learning will continue to receive specialised support in our Individual Learning Department.

13. Pastoral Support For everyday issues, please contact your child’s tutor. Heads of House will be available to deal with more serious issues. Mrs Baker can pass messages onto Heads of House if they are teaching when you call.

14. Support from Parents/Carers Support from home makes a huge difference. You can help by: Checking and signing your child’s planner weekly Checking in good time that your child understands their homework Helping with memorisation tasks like learning keywords and facts Encouraging your child to read as often as possible Informing us of any change in circumstances that could be impacting on your child’s learning

15. Term 1- Gothic Horror Writing milestone based on the story of ‘The Sandman’. Focus on effective use of vocabulary and spelling (Talking to others speaking and listening) Term 2- Poetry Reading milestone which will focus on comparing two poems from across time. Some poems include: Beowulf, Jabberwocky and The Lady of Shallot. Students will analyse techniques used by poets and will comment on how poems link to the time they were written. Term 3- Exploring and Adventures Reading and writing exam at the end of the term. Students will study a range of texts and will learn about persuasive devices and how texts link to their audience. Term 4- 20 th Century Novel Reading milestone focusing on the use of point, evidence and explain skills. Some novel options include: Holes, Private Peaceful and The boy in the stripped pyjamas. Term 5- Moving Media Writing milestone on a film review of ‘The Hunger Games’. Students will also explore different aspects of the Media as a whole and will develop their discussion skills. Term 6- Introduction to Shakespeare Speaking and listening milestone based on performing a scene from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Students will study the play as a whole as well as learn about life in Shakespearean times.

16. Year 8 - Science At the end of each term there will be a written assessment. Homework will be set at 2/3 week intervals Books will be regularly marked with feedback on how to improve KS3 Homework club –Thursdays after school in L27