Highsted School Year 9 Welcome Booklet

Highsted Front Page

Welcome to Highsted School. It is a happy and successful establishment and we hope all of our girls enjoy their time here.

All of the teachers here are naturally concerned with their pupils’ welfare and academic success, but especially important people within the first year here are the Form Tutor, Form Prefect and the Assistant Head of Lower School. The Form Prefect is a member of the Senior School who supports the Form Tutor. You will be able to meet all of these people at the Welcome Evening in June.

We hope that you will have received a copy of our Prospectus, but this booklet provides additional information you may need. During the first few weeks here, your daughter will be given many details and facts about the school, during her PSE (Personal and Social Education) lessons, including the school rules which will be explained carefully.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

SCHOOL ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:

Highsted School

Highsted Road

Sittingbourne

Kent ME10 4PT

Telephone: 01795 424223 Fax: 01795 429375

* Form:...............................................................................

* Form Tutor:............................................................. ........

* Form Prefect:...................................................................

Normal hours: 8.35 am - 3.30 pm (lunch 1.05 - 2.10 pm)

 

DIARY DATES 1999/2000

 

AUTUMN TERM: Tuesday, 7 September - Friday 17 December 1999

(6 September: Staff Development Day)

7 September: Year 9 pupils start at 2 p.m

HALF TERM: Monday 25 October - Friday 29 October 1999

SPRING TERM: Tuesday 4 January - Tuesday 11 April 2000

HALF TERM: Monday 21 February - Friday 25 February 2000

SUMMER TERM: Wednesday 26 April - Tuesday 25 July 2000

Bank Holiday - Monday 1 May 2000

HALF TERM: Monday 29 May - Friday 2 June 2000

There will be 4 further Staff Development Days - details available in September

 

NAMES OF STAFF YOU MAY NEED TO CONTACT:

Headteacher: Mrs J E H Lambert

Deputy Headteachers: Mrs S Sakaria (Curriculum)

Mrs L Wybar (Pastoral)

Mrs C Sullivan: Head of Lower School (Years 7 - 9)

Mrs G Jewell: Assistant Head of Lower School (Year 8)

Mrs R Williams: Assistant Head of Lower School (Year 9)

* Please fill in after Welcome Evening on June 17th

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

We hope you will appreciate that we try to keep the amount of forms you are required to complete to a minimum. However, it is important that we obtain parental consent for certain matters and that we are aware of essential information. We are therefore asking for your co-operation with the following:

 

ACCEPTANCE FORM

Please return the green form by Tuesday 13th April 1999 in order to assure a place at Highsted for your daughter for September.

 

 

REPLY SLIP FOR WELCOME EVENING (details on page 4)

This form helps us to prepare seating arrangements and answer any specific queries you may have. Please complete and return it by Friday 4th June 1999.

 

 

ADMISSION FORM AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE

The admission form enclosed provides us with vital information we need in order to contact parents, and also important details about our pupils’ health. Please bring the completed form along to the Welcome Evening, together with your daughter’s Birth Certificate. It is most important that Birth Certificates are checked by the school as the information is needed for external examination purposes. If your daughter is known by a different name to that which appears on her Birth Certificate, it would be most helpful if you could contact Mrs Wybar (Deputy Head) or Mrs Williams (Assistant Head of Lower School) in confidence at the school before Welcome Evening.

 

 

FURTHER REQUIREMENTS

Also enclosed is a sheet of reply slips concerning other matters: Dining Arrangements, Sex Education, Administration of Medicines and Use of the Internet. Information about all of these can be found in the booklet. If possible, please complete and sign the forms where necessary, along with the Pupil Survey, and return to the Secretarial staff on Welcome Evening.

 

IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE SUMMER TERM 1999

 

WELCOME EVENING: Thursday, 17th June from 6 pm

All girls who are to transfer to us in September, and their parents, are invited to a meeting at which the Curriculum Manager, Mrs S Sakaria and Mrs R Williams, Assistant Head of Lower School (Year 9) will briefly outline the school’s policies and explain the arrangements for Induction Day and the first few days in September. The meeting will be held on Thursday 17th June from 6.00 pm at Highsted. Forsters, the school outfitters, will have the Highsted uniform on sale from 6.00 pm. There will also be an opportunity to purchase "nearly new" uniform items, the sale of which is organised by Highsted School Association members. The school office staff will be available from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm to collect the administration forms and check Birth Certificates. Please allow time for this purpose. There will be a talk at 7.00 pm in the Library. During the evening you will also have the opportunity of meeting your daughter’s Form Tutor.

If you are unable to come to the Welcome Evening, you may bring the completed forms to reception on any normal school day during the summer term.

 

 

INDUCTION DAY: Tuesday 22nd June - 8.35 am to 3.30 pm

In addition to our Welcome Evening meeting for parents and new Year 9 pupils on 17th June, we plan to have an ‘Induction Day’ on Tuesday, 22nd June. We are inviting your daughter to join us for a day of lessons with her new form, providing a chance for her to get to know her Form Prefect, and other members of her tutor group.

We plan to start the day at 8.35 am and finish at 3.30 pm. This should give the new entrants the opportunity to accustom themselves to the kind of transport they will be using in September. We are also offering the girls the possibility of enjoying a school lunch. They may, if they wish, bring a packed lunch instead. In order to give the canteen advance warning of extra meals it would be appreciated if you could indicate which type of lunch your daughter would prefer. Details of our cafeteria system are enclosed on page 10.

Some girls will be enjoying a PE or Games lesson during the Induction Day, so please ensure that your daughter brings some shorts or a games skirt, a T-shirt and plimsolls to change into (all named, if possible). We do not expect our visitors for the day to wear their Middle School uniform, but we ask you to ensure that their clothes are practical and suitable for school. Naturally, we would also like them to bring a pen and pencil. An old shirt or overall may also be needed for Art.

During the day there will be a test in Mathematics (for setting) on work covered in Years 7 and 8 for the National Curriculum. It would therefore be advisable for students to do some revision for it in order to do themselves justice.

We have informed Middle School Headteachers of the date of the Induction Day, and shall discuss it with them when we make our visits to your daughters at their present schools in late May or early June.

 

FIRST DAY ARRANGEMENTS: TUESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 1999

Time of arrival: 2.00 pm

Girls will meet their Form Prefect in the main hall and will spend the afternoon with them. Any areas of concern they raise will be dealt with, and they will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the buildings.

 

LOCKER KEYS

All Year 9 pupils will have a locker and key for which £2 deposit will be payable. This will be returned (provided the key is not lost!) when your daughter leaves the school.

 

SCHOOL FUND

School Voluntary Fund is set this year at £3.00 per pupil per term or £7.50 for the year, payable preferably on the first day of the term/year but in any case within the first fortnight (cheques payable to Highsted School). For pupils with sisters in the school only the eldest is to pay School Fund (i.e. one payment per family). Should you have financial or other difficulty in providing your daughter with School Fund a telephone call, in confidence, direct to Mrs Lambert, will ensure that the matter is dealt with without embarrassment. This is the procedure to follow should a similar situation occur in connection, for example, with school visits, provision of uniform, etc.

School Fund is spent on a variety of items: equipment, books, etc, for school and which are not covered by County funds; sports coaches and contributions to the expenses of sports and other teams or individuals in competitions; help to families who cannot afford to purchase uniforms or other items; subsidising or paying for school visits where pupils would otherwise be unable to take part; prizes at Awards Evening; help with interview expenses for University places when students find it difficult to meet the cost, etc. In general, it is divided between items which are of benefit to the school as a whole and those which are of (confidential) benefit to the individual. The fund is audited by an external auditor each year.

 

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

You will find term dates for the school year and the normal hours of the school day on page 2 of this booklet. We keep detailed registers and require a note explaining any absence during these times. If your daughter is ill, please telephone the school as soon as possible, in every case before the third day of absence. If it is an infectious illness, we would appreciate a telephone call immediately. We do need a written explanation of any absence, however short, which should be addressed to the Form Tutor.

We very much appreciate parents’ assistance in ensuring as little absence as possible and ask that non-educational visits and trips be organised outside school time, as we are not permitted to authorise such absences within Department for Education guidelines. In the case of an application for Annual Holiday, parents will need to discuss dates with school before booking and applications must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance.

If your daughter leaves the school at any time during the day, she must report to the office to sign out before leaving the premises and again to sign in when she returns. This is essential for safety reasons. In very bad weather, e.g. heavy snow, it is occasionally necessary to close the school early. It is therefore necessary to discuss with your daughter the arrangements for her safe return home on these very rare occasions.

HOME-SCHOOL AGREEMENT

From September 1997, all schools are required to have a home-school agreement, signed by pupils, parents and school, which will outline expectations of and commitments to pupils. We are consulting current parents about this presently and this agreement should be available prior to your daughter’s arrival at Highsted in September.

 

PUPIL ILLNESS AND ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES IN SCHOOL

If your daughter feels ill during the day, she must inform whoever is teaching her at the time, or her form tutor, and then report to the office. If the appropriate Head/Assistant Head of School feels it is necessary, we will contact you to make arrangements for your daughter to return home. (We will ask you to provide emergency contact telephone numbers on some of the admission forms) In the case of an emergency arising where we are unable to contact parents, we do ask for a general consent to be signed so that appropriate treatment may be given. We should like to stress that all efforts are made to contact parents and that this is for extreme cases only.

As set out in Kent County Council guidelines, when a child is considered fit to attend school by her GP provided she continues with a course of antibiotics, only sufficient medication for each day to be taken during school hours (usually midday/lunchtime) may be brought into school in a clearly labelled dispensary container(s).

If pupils come to the medical room requesting a paracetamol for a headache/period pain, we need parental consent before a tablet can be given to the pupil. To help us deal with these requests quickly and to avoid having to contact parents each time, we should be grateful if you would please fill in and return the enclosed slip so that we can have a quick reference of parents’ wishes. Once completed, the consent will apply throughout your daughter’s time at Highsted providing KCC Guidelines do not alter..

If your daughter requires medication for a condition such as asthma or diabetes, then we encourage girls to be independent and, therefore, she should carry the appropriate medication with her, clearly labelled with her name and form. In this case, please sign Section 2 of the Pupil Illness sheet.

If there is any other medical matter you would like to discuss with us, please contact Mrs Harrod (Health Co-ordinator) in advance of Welcome Evening, or speak to Mrs Wybar on the evening. A healthcare plan may need to be devised in certain circumstances.

 

TRANSPORT

If your daughter wishes to cycle to school, we would like to emphasise some important points. Bicycles must be placed in the cycle racks and any moveable items (lamps etc) should be kept in bags or lockers during the day. The cycle racks are vulnerable to prowlers, so the school cannot be held responsible for theft or damage to bicycles. For safety reasons, cyclists must not ride their bicycles inside the school gates. We also recommend the wearing of a cycle helmet.

If you bring your daughter to school by car, please drop her a little way from the school gates in Bell Road to avoid too much congestion. Please, for safety reasons, do not use the school drive as a turning space. We will advise pupils as they move up to the Senior School of our rules concerning girls who wish to drive cars or other vehicles to school themselves.

Whichever form of transport is used to get to school, or if they are walking, our pupils are very conspicuous in their uniform and we ask that they always give a good impression, by behaving sensibly and not eating in the street.

HOMEWORK

Homework is set for Year 9 pupils in three subjects each evening, and four at the weekend. It should take approximately 30 minutes per subject. Please contact us if you are concerned about the time your daughter is spending on homework.

 

THE CURRICULUM

In the Lower School, pupils study a wide range of subjects, including the complete range of National Curriculum subjects which are English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), History, Geography, Modern Languages (French and German), Design Technology (Graphics, Food Technology and Construction Materials), Information Technology, Art, Drama, Music, Physical Education and Religious Education. There is also a Personal and Social Education course delivered by Form Tutors.

At present, pupils are taught in their form groups in all subjects in Year 9 except for Technology lessons which are divided up into smaller groups, and Mathematics where they are taught in set groups. The curriculum for the academic year 1999/2000 has not as yet been finalised.

 

SEX EDUCATION

In recent years pupils at Highsted have received sex education in line with National Curriculum guidelines. These lessons have covered sexual reproduction, contraception, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and the need to have a responsible attitude towards sexual behaviour.

These lessons have been taken by community midwives, members of the Family Planning Association and teachers/form tutors who have received very clear guidance on how to deliver these topics.

With these compulsory National Curriculum topics, Highsted has informed parents and invited them to discuss any aspects that worried them. We also made available, for their perusal, copies of any leaflets that may be used in the lessons.

Since September 1994 the Education Act: Sex Education in School has been in force and although the Act requires sex education to be provided as part of the Secondary Curriculum, it also provides parents with the rights to withdraw their children from sex education. However, it limits this right by saying that they cannot withdraw their children from aspects of sex education which are part of the National Curriculum, i.e. biological aspects of reproduction, which will continue to be taught as part of the Science syllabus.

All other aspects will continue to be taught as part of their Personal and Social Education lessons and we hope you will support our desire to educate Highsted girls effectively for future life: please sign and return the appropriate slip.

If you wish to discuss any matter pertaining to this, please contact Mrs R Harrod (Health Co-ordinator) or Mrs Wybar, Evaluation and Pastoral Manager, at the school.

 

PUPIL USE OF THE INTERNET

As part of the school’s Information Technology programme, we offer pupils supervised access to the Internet, the global network of computers. This enables pupils to explore thousands of libraries’ databases while exchanging messages with other Internet users across the world, and clearly provides exciting educational opportunities.

Whilst our aim for Internet use is to further educational goals, there is a possibility that pupils might at times access other material which could be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or potentially offensive to some people. We do operate a filtering policy and will instil in pupils the need to be self-regulating in addition to this (with sanctions if they fail to so be). However, we believe that you as parents should be fully aware of the situation.

Within lessons, Highsted staff will guide pupils towards appropriate materials, however students also may have access to the Internet outside of lesson time. In order to allow your daughter extra-curricular access to the Internet, we should be grateful if you and your daughter could sign and return the attached slip. We do, of course, respect each family’s right to decide whether or not to apply for access outside of lesson time, but must stress that supervised Internet access within lessons will take place when appropriate as part of your daughter’s general education.

In order to give parents a heightened awareness of the opportunities presented by the Internet, we intend to offer some short "taster" sessions allowing parents to try out the system for themselves. Further details of such sessions will be sent to parents in the near future. Should you have any queries regarding this matter, please contact Mr Smith, Head of Technology Department, or Mrs Wybar, Deputy Head, at the school.

 

REPORTS

We plan to provide parents with two types of reports during the first year. You will receive a detailed report following Year 9 examinations, in preparation for option choices during the Spring Term, and a brief summary of Key Stage 3 SATS results (test and teacher assessed) along with effort grades, at the end of the Summer Term.

 

ASSESSMENT: WHAT DO MARKS MEAN?

Marks achieved by your daughter may vary dependent upon the difficulty of the task set and the set she is in (applicable only to Maths in Year 9). It must be remembered that marks given are within the context of a selective school (top 25% of ability range) and this may be lower than your daughter has been previously used to.

Marks will be out of ten or a multiple of ten. When a mark is out of ten, marks of 9 or 10 indicate a very good standard; marks of 7 or 8 indicate a task well completed, although there is room for improvement; marks of less than 5 would give cause for concern.

When a comment is given with the mark, this should be read carefully as it will elaborate on the assessment and perhaps give guidance for the future. Different tasks may cover different skill areas and sometimes may be set on very small areas of the curriculum. The term grades given on reports and grade sheets not only take these marks into consideration but also your daughter’s performance in class, her oral contribution and test results.

 

 

PARENTS’ MEETINGS

During the first term, in the Autumn, you will be invited to discuss with Mrs Williams how your daughter has settled into the school. On the same evening you will also be given a guided tour of the school by your daughter, if you wish.

During the Spring Term there will be a more comprehensive meeting, where you will be able to meet subject teachers and discuss progress with them, as well as subject option choices for GCSE.

 

EXAMINATIONS

Pupils here are examined once a year in all subjects. In Year 9, these examinations take place early in the Summer term. External Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) will be sat in May in National Curriculum Core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science), whilst internal school examinations will be sat in other subjects at a similar time. It would be helpful if you would check these dates with the school if you are considering booking a holiday but we hope you will try very hard to avoid term dates altogether.

 

SCHOOL OFFICE

The office staff are naturally busy people. It would be helpful if you could make their lives easier by communicating with form tutors if possible (eg if you wish to check dates of terms or exams). The school office can only accept messages for pupils if there is a real emergency communicated by a close member of the family.

 

MONEY

It is sometimes necessary for money to be brought to school. This should be kept safely, not in a coat pocket or an unattended bag. There should be no need to bring large amounts, but if this occurs, the office staff may be asked to put it in the safe until the end of school.

 

LOST PROPERTY

In any large organisation, where people move around a lot, it is likely that things will be lost. It is very important that everything should be permanently named. A member of staff supervises lost property in order to collect or return items which have gone astray. The school cannot accept any liability if valuable items are lost, mislaid or damaged on the premises. In general, valuables are best not brought to school: for example, gold watches, etc.

 

 

DINING ARRANGEMENTS

Lunches are on a cash cafeteria system. Vegetarian meals are always available.

Sample Menu: Daily Hot Main Meal (including vegetable) + Dessert £1.25

Salads with protein £1.00

Whole Jacket Potato 35p

Whole Jacket Potato with filling 60p - 90p

Pizzas, Pasties and Pies From 52p

Vegetables and side orders 25p - 50p

Sandwiches - one round From 46p

Large Filled Rolls £1.00

Sweets and Puddings 25p - 36p

Drinks 15p - 46p

Crisps, Snacks and Confectionery RRP

 

Free Meals

Pupils who are eligible for free meals, and whose parents have made a successful application to the Area Education Office will collect a numbered ticket from the school office each term. The ticket is the value of a main meal and pudding.

 

Please Note: It is the responsibility of the parent to re-apply when the period allocated for free meals expires.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

 

 

ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE OWNER'S NAME. PLEASE DO NOT USE IRON-ON NAME TAPES: THEY DO COME OFF EVENTUALLY! SCIENCE OVERALLS, COOKERY APRONS AND SHOE BAGS SHOULD HAVE INITIALS (5 cm HIGH) EMBROIDERED UPON THEM IN ADDITION TO THE NAME IN FULL.

 

Uniform supplied by: Forsters Outfitters Limited

17/19 East Street, Sittingbourne ( 01795- 472947

 

(Forsters accept Access and Barclaycard, or will open a monthly account for regular customers. They also run a School Clothing Club for the convenience of parents).

 

FORSTERS WILL BE SELLING SCHOOL UNIFORM (WITH A 10% DISCOUNT) AT THE SCHOOL FROM 6:00PM ON 17 JUNE 1999.

 

Blazer, washable, Royal Blue.

Highsted School Badge for blazer (Red on Royal Blue).

White drip-dry cotton blouse - plain uniform type with V-neck and revers.

Plain-knit grey cardigan and/or V-neck pullover (of the shade available at Forsters).

Opaque black tights.

Plain dark grey skirt (all-round knife pleats as available at Forsters)

Science Overall, Royal Blue, with initials embroidered on right-hand side where a breast pocket would be.

Cookery Apron, Royal Blue.

Plain black outdoor coat, mac or duffle coat, full length or three-quarter length.

Not leather or suede jackets.

Plain black shoes (not suede) suitable for school. (Try to avoid steel-tipped heels and extremes of fashion.)

 

sports kit:

Plain white aertex type blouse.

Athletic shorts, Royal Blue with white stripe.

Pleated wrap-around skirt, Royal Blue.

Sports socks, Royal Blue - white socks for Summer term.

White plimsolls or training shoes.

Sports bag in School colour, Royal Blue, for PE kit.

In order to avoid unauthorised (and unhygienic!) borrowing of other pupils' kit, in addition to the normal name tapes please embroider initials in bright red/scarlet on the left-hand side of the T-shirt and the bottom left-hand side of the unpleated area of the skirt.

 

 

optional:

- Plain charcoal grey trousers (as available at Forsters)

- Black plain boots in cold weather. Smart ankle boots with trousers only.

- Roll-collared sweater, white, long sleeves, for wear underneath long-sleeved blouse in cold weather, not permitted in the Summer term.

- Royal Blue waterproof cagoule may be worn in wet weather.

- White ankle socks are allowed in the Summer term only.

- Black sandals, low heeled for warm weather (not available at Forsters). All footwear, for safety reasons, must have at least a strap at the back of the heel.

- For Physical Education lessons plain black jogging bottoms (NOT shell suit bottoms), grey sweatshirt with school logo.

- Royal blue polyester shorts with shadow stripe.

- Hockey boots / Football boots.

- Plain black or royal blue scarf.

Senior School

There are different guidelines for pupils in the Senior School, which are explained in more detail in the Senior School Handbook.

FORSTERS OUTFITTERS LTD

HIGHSTED SCHOOL UNIFORM PRICE LIST (February 1999)

 

Royal Blue Washable Blazer (available Summer only).............. from £28.99

Royal Blue Washable Blazer (available throughout the year)..... from £36.99 Badge ...................................................................................................... £ 3.50

White Revers Plain Long Sleeve Blouse ................................... from £ 5.99

Grey V-neck pullover Plain knit only ...................................... from £12.99 or Grey Cardigan ...................................................................... from. £13.99 Grey Skirt (Colour, style and length as sample at Forsters) ....... from £18.99 Royal Blue Cookery Apron ........................................................................£ 5.99

Sportswear

White Cellular PE Blouse ......................................................... ..from £ 5.99 Royal Blue Athletics Shorts with 2 white stripes ........................ from £ 8.99

Royal Blue Pleated Games Skirt ............................................... from £ 8.99

Royal Blue Hockey Hose ........................................................... from £ 3.99

Science Overall ........................................................................... from £ 18.99

Outerwear

Coat (Black) (three-quarter length) ........................................... from £36.99

name tapes:

6 dozen for £4.50. Own name embroidered on white tape, used for marking garments. Allow 10 to 14 days to order.

Goods can be reserved on payment of a small deposit. We would advise that goods be reserved early to avoid disappointment in choice later.

BARCLAYCARD AND ACCESS ACCEPTED.

FORSTERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SELL SCHOOL UNIFORM (WITH A 10% DISCOUNT) AT THE SCHOOL FROM 6.00 - 8.00 PM ON 17 JUNE 1999.

GUIDELINES CONCERNING UNIFORM

All of us at Highsted are proud of our school and the school uniform helps create a sense of belonging. We therefore ask that you follow the guidelines concerning uniform set out in this booklet.

Full school uniform should be worn at all times when pupils are representing Highsted, including on journeys to and from school. Trainers or tennis shoes should only be worn for PE lessons. We ask that pupils clean school shoes daily (sports shoes after wearing) and that they press skirts regularly.

 

SCHOOL BAG AND TEXTBOOKS

All pupils will need a case or strong bag (not a plastic or carrier bag, please!) in which to carry books and other equipment. Pupils are provided with textbooks which should be covered and named on the front. If books are lost or damaged, they naturally must be replaced and a charge will be made.

 

JEWELLERY AND HAIR

The only items of jewellery we allow to be worn at school are a pair of plain gold or silver studs for recently-pierced ears and a watch (name engraved on the back). Discreet religious symbols may be worn if they are underneath a blouse or sweater and are not visible. All jewellery must be removed for PE and games lessons. There are special rules about studs in recently pierced ears. See your PE teacher BEFORE you have your ears pierced. Hair should be tied back for Science practical, PE and games lessons, hair decorations should be royal blue or black (no patterns). Hair must be adapted to a restrained, discreet style for school and dyed hair is not encouraged, particularly if the effect achieved does not look natural.

No badges other than school ones may be worn.

 

MAKE-UP

Coloured nail varnish must not be worn in school. Clear varnish is acceptable. Pupils in Year 10 or above may wear subtle make-up, eg blusher, mascara, not lipstick. This gives older girls the opportunity to learn to use make-up attractively and discreetly.

 

FURTHER GUIDELINES FOR PE, GAMES AND SCIENCE LESSONS

PE: It is advisable for safety reasons that spectacles be removed for gymnastics and games lessons. If this is not possible (eg if a pupil would be unable to see sufficiently well to participate in the lesson) a letter is required under Health and Safety Regulations from a legal guardian accepting liability in case of accidental damage or breakage of the spectacles during the lesson, or worse, an accident to the wearer. A note from a parent is also required if a pupil is to be excused from PE (there should be a sound medical reason). Unless the reason is clearly visible (eg a plaster cast!) please send a note on each occasion.

SCIENCE: In practical lessons pupils are required to wear safety goggles which are provided. Pupils must always wear overalls in Science lessons to protect their clothes from possible traces of chemical even if they are not engaged in practical work.

 

 

OTHER SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

 

MUSIC - INDIVIDUAL TUITION

If your daughter is currently having tuition in the playing of an instrument from the Kent Music School, or if she wishes to begin lessons, these will be available just as they were in her previous school. We currently have visiting teachers for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Violin, Viola, ‘Cello, Double Bass and Guitar. These lessons (minimum of 10 lessons of 20 minutes each per term) cost £70 per term or (minimum of 10 lessons of 30 minutes each per term) cost £105 per term. There are also Piano and Singing teachers attached to the school who are not part of the Kent Music School, and to whom fees are payable direct. A series of 11 piano lessons per term, each 20 minutes long, cost £70 per term. For 11 lessons of 30 minutes per term, the fee is £105 per term. Singing lessons cost as follows: 10 lessons of 20 minutes each £52 per term, or 10 lessons of 30 minutes each - £70 per term..

The school has a strong musical tradition and all girls who take advantage of the opportunity of tuition from the Kent Music School’s peripatetic music teachers are expected to support their school, as soon as their standard permits, by taking part in one or more of the musical activities.

 

ENGLISH

It would be very helpful if pupils had access to a personal dictionary and thesaurus at school and at home. Ideally each pupil should have a pocket edition which can be taken with her to each lesson (not just English). We think it is important that pupils develop the habit of using a dictionary for spelling and vocabulary work as a normal routine.

 

MODERN LANGUAGES

Bilingual dictionaries are available for use in class, but they are also needed by pupils when performing homework tasks. It is therefore recommended that they have a dictionary at home. Appropriate dictionaries will be on display at "Welcome Evening".

 

MATHEMATICS

It is essential that pupils learn mental mathematics and traditional methods. However, calculators play a vital role in some of today’s Mathematics lessons and when girls sit some Mathematics examinations, we will expect every candidate to have a scientific calculator. A scientific model can easily be recognised as it will have buttons labelled SIN, COS and TAN. In addition, it may be useful if the calculator has a fraction feature but this is not essential.

It is not necessary to buy anything too complex, in fact that can be a hindrance rather than a help. Makes recommended include Casio, Texas and Sharp, but others are available. It should not be necessary to spend more than about £10 and it is certainly well worth comparing prices in some of the main national companies.

Your daughter will need a protractor and a pair of compasses.

 

 

FURTHER SAFETY GUIDELINES

In any institution it is important that there are clear rules concerning emergency procedures. The fire drill routine will be carefully explained to pupils in September but it is important that they are aware of two school rules. Firstly, when walking about the school everyone should keep to the left of all corridors, staircases and footpaths. Secondly, when going to assembly, pupils are asked to walk in complete silence. This is an exercise in moving about the school with no talking, so that it is possible to evacuate the building quickly and quietly in the event of an emergency such as fire.

 

KEEPING IN TOUCH

Now that you and your daughter are part of Highsted School we do hope that parents will keep in constant touch by letting us know about anything which may reflect upon your daughter’s progress. If you are concerned about something, telephone and ask about it. In the first instance, please contact the Form Tutor or Assistant Head of Lower School, Mrs Williams. If your query concerns a particular school subject, you may be contacted by the appropriate teacher or Head of Department. Because of teaching commitments, it is always wise to make an appointment or leave a message before coming to the school.

 

 

 

THE HIGHSTED SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

 

The ‘Highsted School Association’ (more often referred to as "The P.T.A.") is a registered charity and every parent, guardian, governor and member of staff is automatically a member. The principle aims of the P.T.A. are to ‘develop more extended relationships between staff, parents and others associated with the school’ and ‘to engage in activities which support the school and advance the education of the pupils attending it’. In order to achieve this the P.T.A. committee regularly organise fund raising social events in addition to promoting background fund raising activities such as the ‘200 Club’ and the annual ‘Grand Prize Draw’. We trust that you will attend the Annual General Meeting (date to be advised), which will be followed by a Cheese and Wine evening, given to welcome you, the new parents, into the fold! We very much hope that you will give your Association the benefit of your organising powers, your ideas, or just your capacity to lend a hand when it is needed.s raised by the P.T.A. are used to provide ‘extras’ i.e. equipment, facilities, teaching aids, student prizes etc. for which the school budget does not readily stretch and, whilst there is not a membership subscription, every member is urged to support the P.T.A. in whatever manner they feel able. The greater the support provided, the greater the benefit to the students attending Highsted School.

Some practical suggestions for providing support would be:

HIGHSTED SCHOOL ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE 1998/99

President: Jill Lambert 01795 424223

Chairman: Trevor Gasson 01795 472224

Vice-Chair: Vacant

Treasurer: John Clark 01795 423113

Secretary: Lesley Evans

Julie Cain Elaine Hasan Dee Cartwright Sue Knight Anne Nutting Sally French Pat Hatt

SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES: PUPILS:

Mrs Sheila Sakaria Head Girl: }to be decided

Mrs Linda Wybar Deputy Head Girls: }April 1999

Last updated 25th March 1999, maintained by M J Smith