Year 7 Intro 2008
Dear Year 7 Students and Parents,
May I take this opportunity to welcome you to Cambridge International Upper School.
As a student, you may have some reservations moving from the Junior school environ but these are completely natural and hopefully my letter will alleviate some of those worries.
Hear are a few of the guidelines and some of the exciting privileges Upper School students enjoy.
Students are expected to be in class for 8.50am ready for their tutor who, for Year 7 will be Dr. H. Sturdy. Formal registration is 9.00 –9.05. First lesson begins at 9.05. The lessons are normally 40 minutes with one of the afternoon lessons lasting for 50 minutes.
I would like to give you the specific break and lunch times but we are in the process of modifying these and are looking to overlap some of the breaks so that Year 7 students still spend time with friends in the Juniors.
At lunchtimes, students are allowed into the park to play. This has been thoroughly enjoyed by Upper School even when it has been a little muddy but students all bring in an extra pair of shoes to use for this.
With regards to uniform, we operate a Dress Code. For the boys we expect to see them in navy blue or beige chino style trousers or standard grey with a crisp white shirt and a navy or grey jumper. The same applies for the girls plus the option of a navy or beige knee length skirt. The School encourages children to wear the navy blue blazer which is also shared by Sancton Wood and can be bought at John Lewis in Cambridge. Sensible shoes are preferred, not trainers as these are for Sport. The School tie is also available but is not yet mandatory. We expect to see students following the Dress Code Monday to Thursday and on Friday everyone is allowed to wear their own clothes for our Casual Day.
Your school day is longer as we finish at 3.50pm, you will quickly get used to the extra 20 minutes.
In terms of lessons, you will enjoy the full complement of subjects taught by subject specialists. This can be a little daunting as you will have many new teachers but after a week you will know their names and during the first few days you will be given clear instructions of what is needed for that lesson.
One of the fabulous things we have in Upper School is the diary, which is a professional secondary school academic diary in full colour. It has so many features and exciting tips that you will love keeping it up to date with work and notices. You can write out your timetable, keep friends telephone numbers and even look up an element on the Periodic Table. The diary will be issued in September.
We also go out on excellent trips including a Geography fieldtrip to the coast, Science talks, Art workshops, plays, Maths Challenges to name but a few. These are relevant to your lessons and curriculum and work will be expected but it is such fun that it never feels like hard work.
Other lessons which you may not have experienced before are Film Making, Religious Education and Discussion plus there will be a rotational option of subjects, for example, Technical Drawing and Design and Technology. This will provide another opportunity for Upper School students to mix with Year 6 from Juniors.
My final piece of information is with regards to homework. The individual subject teachers will set this with the core subjects normally giving two pieces in a week. It is important to record all homework in your diary but I do email all Upper School homework to the parents. This has proved to be very successful and allows parents to monitor what homework is being completed more effectively. Year 7 students should expect to spend an hour a night and two hours at the weekend completing homework. This will vary a little across the weeks but it is the general rule for this age.
I hope this letter clears up a few questions you may have had before starting in September.
All there is left to say is have a super summer holiday and I look forward to seeing you in September.
Kindest regards,
Nina Young
Head of Upper School
