MOVING INTO YEAR 6Parent information meeting

06 May 2013

What will stay the same?• Curriculum continuity: English National Curriculum

• The same subjects, except that:• Humanities splits into History and Geography• non-Arabs and non-Muslims take D&T or German

• The school’s commitment to the most effective teaching methods and resources is unchanged

• Chess Club, D&T Club, Science Club and others

• About the same amount of homework (one hour)

What will be different?• Secondary Head Teacher: Mr Andrew Moulden

• Middle Department Coordinator: Ms Estelle Jones

• Taught by specialist subject teachers

• French, Arabic, Islam and PE may be taught in sets

• Year 6 has a more grown-up style of uniform

• Students bring their own laptops to lessons

• Year 6/7 rooftop playground and canteen

• Students use a locker to avoid carrying too much

Year 6 Tutor Groups• There will be six Year 6 tutor groups

• We will try not to mix the current classes – but please re-register as soon as possible

• Year 6 students have AM and PM Tutor Time

• Class Tutors teach PSHE and either English or Mathematics to their tutor group

• Class Tutors provide ‘front-line’ pastoral care

• Most lessons are taught in tutor groups

Laptop Computers

• Middle Department students must bring a netbook or laptop computer to school every day

• We recommend small, lightweight computers

• Students bring their computers to every lesson

• Batteries should be fully charged each night

• Students should also bring their charger

• Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition

Lockers• Year 6 students are given priority over Year 7+

• Letter issued on first day of the academic year

• All Year 6 students are advised to rent a locker

• Students either buy a padlock or use their own

• Students may not share lockers

• Lockers are located close to tutor rooms

• Year 6 students may access lockers during Registration and any time during breaks.

Student Planner• Similar to the Junior Department planner

• Clear home-school communication

• Students should cover their planner, avoid losing it, keep it neat and use it properly

• The student planner remains school property

• Parents should check and sign the planner weekly. In Year 6, we recommend daily checks.

• The Class Tutor also checks and signs weekly

Attendance & Punctuality

• Students should arrive by 07.30 sharp

• Attendance is registered each AM and PM

• Absence notes are required on the first day back

• Lateness is unacceptable and is recorded

• Bus students leave PM Tutor Time at 14.30

• Non-bus students should be collected at 14.35

• Students should not leave school early

Homework• Year 6 students receive a homework timetable

• Homework is set according to this timetable

• All homework must be recorded in the planner

• Students receive 3 or 4 homeworks daily

• Each homework should take about 20 minutes

• Requirements: internet and an A4 printer

• Full procedures: www.bsk.edu.kw/homework

Girls’ Summer Uniform• BSK short-sleeved blouse with logo

• BSK lilac striped skirt

• BSK white ankle sockswith purple stripes

• Black low-heeled leather shoes

• Plain black or purple hair accessories

• Optional: BSK grey hijab with purple edging and long-sleeved blouse

• Full details: www.bsk.edu.kw/MDuniform

Boys’ Summer Uniform• BSK short-sleeved shirt with logo

• BSK grey trousers

• BSK striped tie

• BSK grey socks with purple stripes

• Formal black leather shoes• Note: All items marked ‘BSK’ on

this and the previous slide must be purchased from the Royal Scot

• Full details: www.bsk.edu.kw/MDuniform

Standards of Appearance• Tidy hair. Not too long or short. Not spiked.• No gel, mousse, cream or oil• Girls with long hair should tie it back• Girls may use black or purple hair accessories• No jewellery – except small, plain metal earrings• No make-up, nail varnish, coloured lip balm etc• Shoes must be formal black leather (not sporty)• BSK photographic identity badges must be worn• Full details: www.bsk.edu.kw/uniform

Rewards System• Two housepoints (HPs) are given in every lesson:

one for achievement and one for attitude• Students also receive HPs for serving the school,

winning competitions and for other achievements.

• Club Zero: perfect behaviour over a whole term

• Students who work and behave sufficiently well will be invited to special MD events and trips

• Subject Prizes and Excellence Awards

• Full details: www.bsk.edu.kw/rewards

Sanctions System• Every incident of misbehaviour is recorded• Each offence loses students housepoints• Minor offences: -1 point (uniform, chatty etc)• More serious: -2 points and break detention• Serious incidents: -3 or -5 points• Afterschool detention: -3 point offences• Suspension from school: -5 point offences• Full details: www.bsk.edu.kw/sanctions

Events and Trips

• Film and Pizza evenings: September

• Awards evening: October

• Entertainment City: November and March

• Games evenings: February

• Tenpin bowling: February

• Sports Day: March

• Middle Department Production: April

Special Arrangements

• Buddy system for students who are new to BSK

• Two week ‘period of grace’ if students get lost

• Year 6 have priority to rent lockers

• Each Year 6 tutor also teaches the tutor group, so as to develop an understanding of both their academic and pastoral needs

• At most one formal assessment per day

THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF KUWAITMs Estelle Jones

Middle Department CoordinatorTel: 2562 1701 x121

Email: esj@bsk.edu.kw

www.bsk.edu.kw/5into6