Parent/Student Handbook 2015-16 Welcome Dear Parents and Students, Welcome to the 2015/16 academic year of Bingham Academy. We look forward to a year that will see your children be challenged and develop academically, personally and spiritually. I trust that you will enjoy working with our teaching staff and the school throughout the year as we partner in the education of your children. This handbook contains information to ensure that your children enjoy and make the most of the opportunities that a Bingham education has to offer. It is important that you read through it and refer to it throughout the year. There are also some documents that will be distributed with this Handbook that will need to be read, signed and returned to the school. If at any stage you would like to discuss any matters with teaching staff, please contact them. Generally, communication starts with the Homeroom Teacher or Vertical Tutor Group Leader. The Principal who oversees the relevant section of the school will also be happy to talk to you, as will I. I look forward to a productive and fulfilling year at our school for all members of our school community. May God bless each of us richly this year. Brad Adams Director Bingham Academy Parent-Student Handbook 2015 / 2016 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Section One - Vision and Strategic Planning ............................................................................................................................................ 4 1. Strategic Planning Overview ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 2. Bingham Academy ‘Five Year Strategic Plan’ ............................................................................................................................ 5 3. Bingham Academy ‘Continuous School Improvement Plan’ 2015/16 (CSIP) .............................................................................. 5 4. History ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Section Two - Governance and Leadership .............................................................................................................................................. 6 5. Parent/ Student Handbook Purpose and Use ............................................................................................................................. 6 6. Enrolment Criteria ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 7. The KG1 and KG2 Programme .................................................................................................................................................. 6 8. Enrolments at Other Grade Levels ............................................................................................................................................. 6 9. Homeschooling .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 10. Non-English Speaking Students ............................................................................................................................................ 7 11. Non-Discrimination Policy ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 12. Tuition Fees .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 13. Clearance for Students Leaving Bingham ............................................................................................................................. 8 Section Three - Spiritual Formation .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 14. Bible ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 15. Scripture Memorisation ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 16. Chapel .................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 17. Spiritual Retreats .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 18. Community Service ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 19. Curriculum ............................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Section Four - Curriculum ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 20. Curriculum .......................................................................................................................................................................... 10 21. Key Instructional Philosophy ............................................................................................................................................... 10 22. Independent Study – High School ....................................................................................................................................... 11 23. Self-Study and Online Courses ........................................................................................................................................... 11 24. Subjects .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12 25. Learning Support ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 26. Community Service ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 27. Attendance Records ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 28. Permanently Removing a Child from School ....................................................................................................................... 14 29. Checking Homework Diaries ............................................................................................................................................... 14 30. Daily Schedule .................................................................................................................................................................... 14 31. Student Resources.............................................................................................................................................................. 15 32. Library Resource Centre ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 33. Selection of reading books .................................................................................................................................................. 16 34. Audio-Visuals in the classroom ........................................................................................................................................... 16 35. Citations of Sources ............................................................................................................................................................ 16 36. Use of IT Facilities at Bingham ............................................................................................................................................ 17 37. Homework ........................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Bingham Academy Parent-Student Handbook 2015 / 2016 2 38. Testing and Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 39. Retention (Repeating a Grade) ........................................................................................................................................... 21 40. Graduation Requirements (Grade 12) ................................................................................................................................. 21 41. Sylvia Hicks Award of