Lagan College Induction Booklet 2020‐2021
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Lagan College Induction Booklet 2020‐2021 0 Principal’s Welcome We are delighted to offer your child a place at Lagan College for September 2020. We appreciate that your child may be excited and nervous about the prospect of moving up to, ‘big school,’ especially as they have been home learning since March. We will do our very best to alleviate their worries and to support all our children returning to Lagan College via an Induction Programme in late August. Please be reassured that we will be adhering to Department of Education and the Education Authority’s guidelines in response to the COVID‐19 emergency. Unfortunately, for the short term we will not be able to offer the following provisions: Morning Assemblies Extra‐Curricular Activities One to One Music Tuition Educational Visits Changing Room Facilities for PE We envisage that all students will be initially asked to bring a packed lunch with the exception of those children who are eligible to receive a free school meal (Please note that we are a single‐use plastic free zone from 1 September 2020). Students will be expected to wear normal school uniform, however, they will be permitted to wear their PE uniform on the day they have PE only. At Lagan College we endeavour to form good relationships with our students and their families. During the academic year 2020 – 2021 we will be utilising Parent Mail, a text messaging and email service with parent(s)/guardian(s) and all of our Social Media sites which include Twitter, Facebook and the School Website, to stay in regular communication with you. It is vital that you provide the school with your most up to date email address and contact telephone number. Your son/daughter will be allocated a Form Teacher in August. If you have any concerns in the early days and months of their transition to Lagan, please do not hesitate to contact us either via the Student Learning Planner or by phone. We will also be using information provided by families to place children in appropriate learning paced classes for ‘core’ subjects including English, History, RE, Geography, French/Spanish, Irish, HE, ICT, Drama, Technology, Art, Music and Science, informed by the Literacy ability. We will be using Numeracy ability to place children in Maths learning paced classes and broader bands for PE. We have provided you with important information in this Year 8 Induction pack and I would draw your attention to the Summary of Lagan College’s Policies. May I take this opportunity to thank you for choosing Lagan College as an integrated and all ability school. We look forward to working in partnership with your family to ensure that your son/daughter settles into Lagan College and reaches his/her full potential and academic best. Yours faithfully _______________________ Amanda McNamee (Mrs) Principal 1 Chaplains’ Welcome We are delighted that your son/daughter is joining us here at Lagan College and we are looking forward to getting to know them. Lagan College is a school with a Christian integrated ethos. As chaplains, we aim to be a practical example of our ethos at the heart of the school. The chaplaincy is a safe space for lively discussion, quiet conversation or simply for taking a break. It is a place where students can chat with us, meet with their mentors or talk through problems with the sixth form mediation team. A dedicated quiet space is available for people of all faiths and none to use for prayer or reflection. As chaplains we are responsible for planning and co‐ordinating school assemblies. All students attend assembly once a week. This gives us the opportunity to explore our differences and discover all that we share in common. Assemblies follow a broadly Christian year, with reference to festivals of other traditions as well as connecting with events and situations in Northern Ireland and in the wider world. Students play an important role in helping us plan and deliver assemblies. We also hold special, longer assemblies to celebrate Harvest, Remembrance, Christmas, Ash Wednesday and Holy Week. We work in partnership with the Religious Education Department. Students learn RE together and follow the Northern Ireland Core Curriculum. To complement their Year 8 RE programme, we organise visits to local churches of different denominations. We care for all students of Lagan College, of all faiths and none. This care includes supporting students and their families when specific denominational needs arise. For example, preparation for sacraments can be organised by the Catholic Chaplain if necessary. If you wish your son or daughter to avail of this, please contact Mr Sowney at the beginning of term. We like to give special attention to Year 8 students to help with their transition from primary school. The Chaplaincy is open for anyone to drop in during break times and lunch times. Students can also make appointments with us at other times when they need to talk through some issues in a confidential, caring environment, especially at times of bereavement or family crisis. Please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to working in partnership with you over the next few years. With best wishes to you and your children. Mrs Helen Killick and Mr Gerard Sowney (College Chaplains) 2 Home School Partnership Statement of Partnership The School is committed to creating and maintaining a caring community, in which: the individual is valued all can achieve their potential the climate is challenging and supportive effort and success are celebrated Each student’s education will be greatly enhanced by the development of a partnership between the home and the school. An effective partnership will ensure that each student develops intellectually, socially, spiritually and emotionally and is able to take full advantage of all the school has to offer. Parents’ and Students’ Expectations of the School Parents and students may expect the school to provide: A safe, well ordered, caring environment. Programmes of Study suitable for each students age, aptitude and ability in line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Quality learning experiences. Regular information about school activities and the progress/performance of students. Regular consultation sessions of which there would be at least one per year. Early warning of problems whether these are associated with work, relationships or discipline. An efficient system of dealing with complaints through ready access to the appropriate member of staff. A range of extra‐curricular activities. The School’s expectations of Parents and Students Parents and students are expected to:‐ Support the aims, ethos and code of conduct of the school both inside and outside school. Complement the work of the school with helpful attitudes and a supportive home environment to encourage completion of homework and other academic tasks. Ensure regular and punctual attendance and maximum participation to enable the student to benefit fully from the learning experiences provided by the school. Check the student wears the prescribed uniform and is properly equipped for each school day. Read reports, letters and other communications from the school and to sign and return reply slips. Display a willingness to participate in consultation sessions and other school events. Make early contact with the school to discuss any matters which might have a bearing on the student’s education. Encourage the student to derive maximum benefit from school by participating in a range of extra‐ curricular activities. Ensure the student has the adequate rest and nourishment essential for an effective day’s work. 3 LAGAN COLLEGE BELFAST Uniform Policy Document Reviewed: May 2020 by D Collins, VP Pastoral Date Ratified by BOG: March 2013, Reviewed February 2019 Review Date: May 2021 RELATED DOCUMENTS 1. DENI Circular 2011/04 – Guidance to School on School Uniform policy 2. Safeguarding Policy 3. Anti‐Bullying Policy 4. Positive Behaviour Policy 5. Relationship and Sexuality Education Policy INTRODUCTION Uniform is the outward identity of our school and the means by which our pupils are distinguished in the wider community. The wearing of the Lagan College uniform supports our commitment to be one community based on our mission statement, ‘that they be one’, which embodies the school values of equality, respect, reconciliation and service to others. We believe that our school uniform can play a valuable role by: setting an appropriate tone; instilling pride; supporting positive behaviour; encouraging identity with, and support for, the school ethos; ensuring pupils of all races and backgrounds feel welcome; protecting children from social pressures to dress in a particular way; and, nurturing cohesion and promoting good relations between different groups of pupils. It is important, therefore that students have a pride in wearing it smartly, neatly and correctly. Exceptions to the policy may be made on the grounds of religion, race or medical conditions. All exceptional requests will require a letter to the Board of Governors. 4 STUDENT UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS The College Student Expectations set out clear the standard expected by all students in regard to uniform. The Student Expectations state: WE WEAR OUR UNIFORM CORRECTLY AND WITH PRIDE: We will wear our full school uniform correctly and with pride We will quickly change any items of uniform or appearance that are not correct. Our hair length, style and colour will be in line with our school Uniform policy Additionally, at Lagan College, students must: Wear full school uniform which includes blazer in and around school, for all school occasions and journeys to and from school and home. Ensure all items/articles of clothing are clearly marked with the owner’s name. Ensure school bags are plain and practical for use. Only wear trainers for PE lessons or if there is an injury covered by a medical certificate.