The Lower School 2019 - 2020 An Introduction Lower School: Staff Contact Details Head of Lower School Mr S Tanna [email protected] Head of Year 8 Mr S C J Middleton [email protected] Head of Year 7 Mrs E M Crawford [email protected] Lower School Secretary Mrs L C Hillgrove [email protected] Absences [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 is comprised of Years 7 and 8 with 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 an IT suite. These provide 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 studied. 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 them settle in and make strong friendships which, in many cases, will last a lifetime. The boys’ main point of contact in the 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 of their form on 30 August. This day gives 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 in the face of challenges – life skills that are just as important as the academic skills learned in the classroom. The small size of the Lower School creates an intimate atmosphere where boys feel very welcome. There will be, however, some significant changes that take place in the Year 7 classroom. Firstly, boys will be taught a wide range of subjects by a large number of specialist teachers from the Senior School and so will have to adapt to several different teaching styles. Secondly, boys will be given much more responsibility regarding their prep (60 minutes per day) and organisation of their free time. Boys and parents are kept informed of academic progress by assessment grades every half term. These grades are awarded in each subject for both the perceived effort a boy is making (grades 1 to 4) and the level of attainment achieved, based on preps and tests (grades A to E). 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. 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 your son’s general welfare, as well as his 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 any academic or pastoral concerns are encouraged to contact the Form Tutor and/or the Year Head at any point during their son’s time in the Lower School. Mrs Lisa Hillgrove is the Lower School Secretary and Mr Barry Gower is the Lower School Caretaker. Lower School Form Tutors for 2018-19 are listed below: Year 7 Year 8 7C Mr Kelly 8C Mr Wilson 7E Mr Brown 8E Mr Trevill 7L Mr Roberts 8L Mrs Arter-Furlong 7R Miss Rutter 8R Mrs Baxter 7S Mrs Crossley 8S Mr Sewell 7W Mrs Kelly 8W Mr Davies Activities Beyond the Classroom Day Houses The College operates a Day House system which develops co-curricular involvement, establishes healthy competition and extends friendships. There are eight Day Houses, all named after eminent figures who were friends and acquaintances of our Founder, Edward Alleyn. A range of competitions takes 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 the Competitions which help develop their organisation and leadership skills. The Lower School House Cup is awarded at the end of the year. Each House has a captain who is nominated from amongst the Year 8 boys. There are Inter-House competitions in the following areas: Athletics Rugby Chess Journalism Basketball Swimming Debating Music Cricket Table Tennis Drama Poetry Cross country Tennis Engineering Patball Football Water Polo General Photography Hockey Art Knowledge Recitation Day Houses Through the House competitions, we very much hope that all will enjoy making a full (Cont’d) contribution to the sporting and cultural life of the Lower School. The Lower School Houses and their colours: DRAKE Amber GRENVILLE Green/White HOWARD Light blue JONSON Purple MARLOWE Black/White RALEIGH Red/White SIDNEY Red SPENSER Royal blue/White 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 of other subjects and by Upper School boys. These include: Woodwork, Classics and Comparative Mythology Society, Lower School Science Club, German Club, Engineers’ Club, Table Tennis, Pottery, Fencing Club, Robotics Club, Taekwondo, Book Clubs, Water Polo, Film Club, Debating Club... the list is endless! Guidelines for Parents and Boys The College Code of The College is a large community. We urge all its members (pupils, teachers and operational staff alike) to make the most out of the opportunities given during Conduct their 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 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 with the most commendations in each Form. 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 Wednesday; the Year Head will contact parents to discuss any incident which warrants this. Religion and Spirituality Dulwich College is a Church of England Foundation; all boys are expected to play a full role in assemblies and end-of-term Chapel services. We see this exposure to the Christian tradition as an opportunity for all our community to be conscious of the language of religion, even if individuals might not choose to speak it themselves. We are a community who welcomes boys from all faiths or none and we pride ourselves in our respect for and interest in the beliefs of others in these matters of faith. Across the different religious traditions there are many opportunities for meeting, worship, and discussion to help boys develop their own chosen religious conviction. The College community currently includes Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist students. The College Chaplain is available to talk about any issues, not just those of a more spiritual flavour, and plays an active role in promoting discussion and thought relating to the questions of meaning and purpose as well as engaging in how our outworking of active compassion might find expression in our local community and beyond. The Chaplain works closely with the College Counsellor and other caring agencies to enhance the pastoral life of the College. Attendance and There is a direct correlation between attendance at timetabled lessons and Punctuality performance in public examinations. We therefore wish to keep absences to an absolute minimum. The following should be observed: • If a boy is absent from school for medical reasons, his parent/guardian should call the Lower School Office by 8.30am on the morning of the first day of absence and on subsequent days on 020 8299 9283. Alternatively, the Lower School Office can be emailed using a dedicated absence email address: [email protected] The Office will then inform the pupil’s Form Tutor. • If a boy is injured or taken ill during school hours, he should go to the Medical Centre.