The Lower School 2016-2017 An Introduction Lower School, Staff Contact Details Head of Lower School Mr S Tanna [email protected] Head of Year 7 Mr S C J Middleton [email protected] Head of Year 8 Mr K R Jepson [email protected] Lower School Secretary Mrs L C Hillgrove [email protected] Telephone Lower School Office 020 8299 9283 Main College Switchboard 020 8693 3601 Welcome to the Lower School The Lower School is one of the five schools that make up the College. It comprises of Years 7 and 8 and there are approximately 125 boys in each year group. We have our own site at the southern end of the College campus with 12 classrooms, the Lower School Office, the Raymond Chandler Library and IT suite. This provides a spacious yet secure learning environment in which the boys feel comfortable and can thrive. Year 7 marks the start of secondary school education when 50 or so boys from our Junior School are joined by some 75 new boys. We deliver an intellectually stimulating yet accessible curriculum that sparks endeavour and interest in all the subjects that the boys study. Lessons take place in the Lower School unless they are subjects that require specialist facilities such as Science, Drama, Music, Art, DT and Computing. The boys’ happiness and wellbeing is at the centre of all that we do and the start of Year 7 focuses on helping boys settle in and make strong friendships; that in many Mr Sameer Tanna cases will last them a lifetime. The boys’ main point of contact in the Lower School Head of Lower School will be their Form Tutor, who (wherever possible) will remain with the form in both Year 7 and Year 8. The boys will spend an ‘induction’ day with the form Tutor and other members on their form on 31 August. This day will give boys a chance to get to know each other, and to familiarise themselves with the layout of the Lower School before the formal start of the Michaelmas Term. In the first half of the Michaelmas Term, each Year 7 form will spend a week at our Outdoor Centre in the Brecon Beacons National Park. This trip helps develop self-confidence, perseverance and tenacity when faced with challenges – life skills that are just as important as the academic skills learned in the classroom. The small size of the Lower School helps to create an intimate atmosphere where boys feel very welcome. There will be, however, some significant changes that take place in the Year 7 classroom. Firstly, is the introduction of Senior School staff to the boys. Boys will be taught a wide range of subjects by a large number of specialist teachers and so will have to adapt to a number of different teaching styles. Secondly, boys will be given much more responsibility regarding their prep (60 minutes per day) and organising their free time. Boys and parents are kept informed of academic progress by assessment grades each half term. Grades are awarded in each subject for both the perceived effort a boy is making (grade 1 to 4) and the level of attainment achieved, based on preps and tests (grade A to D). In addition there are formal Parents’ Evenings at various points through the year. In terms where there is not a Parents’ Evening, a full report is written. Parents with any academic or pastoral concerns are encouraged to contact their son’s Form Tutor at any point in the year. We look forward to welcoming your son to the Lower School in September. Mr Sameer Tanna Head of Lower School People in the Lower School The Form Tutor is responsible for general welfare, as well as your son’s academic and pastoral progress during his two years in the Lower School. The Form Tutor is the primary source of information and guidance and will get to know each boy very well. Each Year group also has a Year Head; parents with concerns are encouraged to contact the Form Tutor and/or the Year Head at any time during their son’s time in the Lower School. Mr Simon Mr Kevin Middleton Jepson Head of Year 7 Head of Year 8 Mrs Lisa Hillgrove is the Lower School Secretary and Mr Barry Gower is the Lower School Caretaker. Lower School Form Tutors for 2016-17 are listed below Year 7 Year 8 7C Mr Wilson 8B Mr Allen 7E Mr Trevill 8C Mr Wood 7L Mr Whaymand 8E Mr Davies 7R Mr Burbidge 8L Miss Cooke 7S Mr Shirazi 8R Miss Horsfield 7W Ms Berry 8S Mrs Crossley 8W Mrs Kelly The House System The College operates a Day House system which develops co-curricular involvement, establishes healthy competition and extends friendships. There are eight Houses, all named after eminent figures who were friends and acquaintances of our Founder, Edward Alleyn. A variety of competitions take place throughout the year. The Housemaster sees the boys weekly to help organise events and report back on notable successes and generate a House spirit. Boys thoroughly enjoy this competition which helps develop their organisation and leadership skills. The Lower School House Cup is awarded at the end of the year. Each House has a boy from Year 8 who is nominated as House Captain. There are Inter-House competitions in the following areas: Art Football Poster Design Athletics General Knowledge Rugby Basketball Hockey Squash Chess Journalism Swimming Cricket Music Table Tennis Cross Country Pat Ball Water Polo Debating Photography Drama Poetry Through the House competitions, we very much hope that all will enjoy making a full contribution to the sporting and cultural life of the Lower School. Activities There is a broad range of activities for all boys to follow during their time in the Lower School. Opportunities in sport, music and drama are offered throughout the year but there are also a number of additional activities run by teachers and Upper School boys. These include: Magic Club, Warhammer, Classics Society, Lower School Science Club, German Club, Engineers’ Club, Table Tennis, Pottery, Minecraft Club, Nintendo Appreciation Society, Taekwondo, Book Clubs, Water Polo, Film Club, Debating Club... the list is endless! Guidelines for Parents and Boys The College Code The College is a large community. We urge all its members (pupils, teachers and of Conduct operational staff alike) to make the most out of the opportunities given during our time at the College and consequently derive the greatest possible benefit from being here. Our code of conduct is designed to promote harmony and efficient functioning of the College community. We are all expected to: Be helpful, tolerant and respectful towards everyone in the Dulwich community Avoid behaviour or comments which could lead to any distress Behave with courtesy and in a manner which reflects well on us and the College Make sure that our appearance does credit to us and the College Be punctual Respect both the property and environment of the College Show consistency and common sense in observing the particular rules The Rules are reproduced in full in the termly Calendar. Boarders will be provided with separate rules by their Boarding House Masters which apply to life as a boarder. Reward and Punishment In the Lower School a commendation system operates to encourage boys to produce high-quality work and to behave sensibly and with care for others. Teachers award commendations electronically online and these are emailed to parents. The boys value this system greatly and respond accordingly. At the end of each term, a prize is awarded to the boy in each Form with the most commendations. Boys may be placed in detention on Wednesday lunchtime for minor matters of misbehaviour or failure to submit prep on time or to a satisfactory standard. Detention for serious matters of misbehaviour takes place after school on Thursdays and the Year Head will contact parents to discuss any incident which warrants this. Religion and Spirituality Dulwich is a Church of England Foundation, welcoming boys of all faiths in developing their spiritual and religious awareness. There are many opportunities for meeting, worship and discussion. Assemblies and acts of worship are a regular part of College life and reflect the diverse nature of the College community which currently includes Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist students. The College Chaplain works closely with the College Counsellor and other caring agencies in the pastoral life of the College. Games Games are compulsory for all boys who are physically fit. A boy who is unfit must inform his Form Tutor. Application for total exemption on grounds of ill-health must be accompanied by a medical certificate. Spectacles, if worn for games, should be made of unbreakable material. 23 24 (w)170mm (w)170mm x (h)115 mm x (h)115 mm 31 (w)170mm x (h)115 mm The School Day: Roll Call 08:35 to 08:45 Monday - Friday Period 1 or Assembly 08:50 to 09:25 Period 2 09:30 to 10:05 Period 3 10:10 to 10:45 Break Period 4 11:10 to 11:45 Period 5 11:50 to 12:25 Period 6 12:30 to 13:05 Lunch Registration and Period 7 14:30 to 15:10 Period 8 15:15 to 15:50 Saturday Commitments There are no formal lessons on Saturdays. At all levels many of our important inter-school sporting fixtures take place on Saturdays. The College is justly proud of its outstanding record of sporting achievements. The keenness of the boys in representative team squads is uniformly high and we ask for your co-operation in ensuring that, should your son be chosen to represent the College on a Saturday, he should regard this as his first duty.