Welcome to St Sampson’s High. We are really looking forward to getting to know you and cannot wait to meet you as a whole year group on the 14th June 2021!
Mrs Godley, St Sampson’s High School Principal has made a welcome video to introduce herself and hopefully make you feel a little bit more at ease.
Mr Price (Head of Year 7) and Mr Ferbrache (Inclusion Champion) will be coming to see you in your schools before the 14th June and will be able to answer any questions you may have about what life at St Sampson’s will be like.
Message from our Head Students!
Welcome brand new Year 7! We know that starting a brand new school this big can be very scary – it is for everyone – however, St Sampson’s High is extremely welcoming. There’s nothing to worry about! The teachers here are very supportive and understanding, and so are the students. Every student older than you knows exactly how you may be feeling as they’ve all gone through the same thing. But trust us when we say: it is nowhere as scary as you may be thinking.
When we first joined the school we both never even thought of becoming head students. However, as you grow through the school and come into your own you learn that maybe you can do certain things that you never even considered, such as becoming a head student, peer mentor or a prefect. During your time at St Sampson’s, try new things and take each day as it comes. Before you start there are a few things you need to know to help set you up for success.
For a start, the school is slightly different from primary school. Subjects are all located in different areas of the school and each lesson subject will be in a different room with a different teacher. Between each lesson you will have five minutes to get from one classroom to another.
Throughout the school a lot of additional opportunities come up such as extracurricular activities which are ready for you to join. Whether your interests lie in the musical, creative or sport department there is always something for you to do. These activities are very enjoyable as the people who take part truly want to be there as you share the same interests. Joining these groups is a great opportunity to make new friends from either different tutor groups or year groups. Whatever your interests, you will find something for you.
Tutor groups are a place you visit in the morning at the start of the day before lessons start. Your tutor is a teacher that is responsible for around 25 students in your group from your year. Another role which is highly important is your Head of Year who is responsible for your entire year group. Both of these roles are people who you can go to talk with if you’re feeling down or just want someone to talk to.
Some students are allocated a peer mentor. This is a person similar to your age who you can go to see once a week during tutor time. This is an optional programme that you can choose to join. You will be partnered up with a year 10 student who can give you advice on any problems in school life or they can help with homework that you may be struggling with.
We can vouch that our experience at school has been worthwhile as we have involved ourselves in a variety of extracurricular activities. If we could provide one piece of advice it would be to express your interests, be yourself and always give 100%. Try everything and if you don’t enjoy it, at least you can say you tried.
As well as extracurricular activities there are also many different fundraising opportunities available all year round. These can benefit the school or charities around the world. They’re fun and enjoyable days where you can again meet new people. A common way of fundraising is by competing in sponsored events such as the Everest challenge or the sponsored swim. Both these events generate a great sense of community.
Highly important throughout the school is respecting each and everyone’s rights and needs. Being a rights respecting school means that all attitudes and values within the school are centered around the human rights of children. Due to this we offer many different support systems within the school for different students with different needs. One focus is people’s mental health as it is just as important to be mentally healthy as it is to be physically healthy. We value personal growth and development as much as academic progression. If you do need help as said earlier you can see your tutor group, peer mentor or your head of year.
Well, we hope this has helped. Look forward to your time at St Sampsons High – you will feel very much at home here.
Summer Woodhead and Lucy Hockey
Head Students 2020-2021
When you arrive on your first day at St Sampson’s High School, make your way to the front entrance where staff will give you a name badge and direct you to the hall.
Once in the hall you will be asked to sit in your registration groups. This will be on your name badge.
Your Head of Year will welcome and then your new form tutor will take you to your form rooms and tell you everything you will need to know about your first day.
All you need to bring on your first day is your bag to take books home in and your pencil case.
Here at St Sampson’s High School our pupils wear ties along with a white shirt, black blazer (with logo) and black trousers trousers or skirt.
This uniform makes our pupils look very smart and makes them feel proud to be part of our school. We expect our pupils to wear their uniform correctly at all times.
Please make sure that all your items of uniform are labelled with your full name, so if we find any lost items we can return them.
Make-up and nail varnish are not allowed to be worn within school.
There is a full uniform list in the booklet your parents will receive along with details of the P.E. kit you need.
Getting yourself organised for school the night before helps you remember everything and feel confident about coming to school. Why not find yourself a box or a shelf somewhere at home where you can keep all your school books and equipment so you don’t lose anything.
It is a really good idea to pack your bag the night before so you are not rushing in the morning.
Below is a list of items that you need to bring to school with you every day. You may need other more specific equipment for certain subjects, but don’t worry you will be told what to get.
You will also need a suitable backpack to put these items into along with the school books your teachers will give you.
We strongly suggest you use one of the lockers available for every pupil. Within the first few days of starting at St Sampson’s High your tutors will allocate you a locker. There is a small deposit for this and you will be given this back at the end of the year when you return it. This is a great place to put your P.E. kit, your outdoor coat or any other items you do not want to carry around with you all day. There is an option to keep your spare locker key in reception in case you leave your key at home or lose it.
There are many ways in which students get to St Sampson’s High School. Many students use the school bus, many walk or cycle and some get dropped off by parents/carers. If walking or cycling you must remember to be careful when crossing the roads near school as it can get very busy at the times when school is starting and finishing.
If you are walking to school you need to remember road safety and take care when crossing roads.
Some of you might be travelling on a bus for the first time on your own. Don’t worry, at St Sampson’s High School teachers will help you get to the correct bus and you will soon get used to making your journey.
We expect our pupils to sit still and travel safely. If you are unhappy about the way anyone behaves on the bus report this to your form tutor or ask your parents to ring school.
The bus routes are as follows:
There are many ways in which students get to St Sampson’s High School. Many students use the school bus, many walk or cycle and some get dropped off by parents/carers. If walking or cycling you must remember to be careful when crossing the roads near school as it can get very busy at the times when school is starting and finishing.
If you are walking to school you need to remember road safety and take care when crossing roads.
Some of you might be travelling on a bus for the first time on your own. Don’t worry, at St Sampson’s High School teachers will help you get to the correct bus and you will soon get used to making your journey.
We expect our pupils to sit still and travel safely. If you are unhappy about the way anyone behaves on the bus report this to your form tutor or ask your parents to ring school.
The bus routes are as follows:
When you start at St Sampson’s High School you will be given your own personal timetable.
This will tell you exactly which lessons you will have each day as well as telling you which room you need to go to and who your teacher is. Your tutor will give you this on your first morning and will spend some time going through it with you.
Each day you will have 6 lessons, you will also have a break in the morning and lunch.
School starts at 8.25am and finishes at 3.05pm each day.
The lesson times are as follows:
Tutor time: 8:25 to 08:50
Period 1: 08:50 to 09:40
Period 2: 09:40 to 10:30
Break: 10:30 to 10:50
Period 3: 10:50 to 11:35
Period 4: 11:35 to 12:25
Lunch: 12:25 to 1:25
Period 5: 1:25 to 2:15
Period 6: 2:15 to 3:05
You will be given a log into Class Charts by your tutor when you start at St Sampson’s High School. Class Charts is an online virtual planner where you can see any homework you have been set, any achievement points or behaviour points, your attendance, your daily timetable and is also where you can see any messages that your teachers have sent you.
Your parents will also be given a log in and can see what you have been up to at school.
You will be given homework each day and will be expected to complete it by the date your teacher gives you. Try and find somewhere quiet at home where you can concentrate on doing your homework tasks. You can also stay after school and attend homework sessions and use the school computers in the library.
In Year 7 and 8, students can expect to have between 1 and 3 pieces of homework a night and students should not spend more than 30 minutes on each subject area.
The canteen is open every day serving food before school, break time and lunchtime. We encourage you to bring a snack for break. You can also bring your own packed lunch.
Whilst you settle in at St Sampson’s High School you will get to start your lunch break a few minutes before the rest of the school so that you can get served first and you can get used to the lunch time system.
There are lots of tables in the canteen or the social area for you to sit at whilst you eat your food.
We ask that you think of others and keep the dining area a nice tidy place by putting any rubbish in the bins.
At St Sampson’s High School you will have a different teacher for each subject. They are all very helpful and will encourage you to work and do your best. They will speak to your parents on Parents Evenings to let them know how you are progressing. They may even contact them before if they are concerned about you or wish to inform them about a particularly outstanding piece of work you have completed. All of our teachers are very approachable and are wanting to help students with any problems that they have.
At St Sampson’s High School we give merits to students who have earned them. Merits can be awarded for the following things:
Bronze, silver, gold, platinum and Head Teacher commendations are awarded when students achieve different amounts of merits.
At the end of each term each year group has a ‘Commendations’ assembly where all successes of that term are celebrated.
Each year group is divided into tutor groups and each form has a form teacher.
You will probably stay in the same form for the whole time you are at St Sampson’s High School. This means that you will get to know the other pupils in your form very well. You meet each morning for registration and to spend time together as a group.
The tutors for Year 7 next year are;
There is also a member of staff who is your Head of Year. The Head of Year 7 for September 2021 is Mr Price. Mr Price will be responsible for making sure that everyone from their year group is working hard, behaving well and contributing fully to school life.
If you have any questions or concerns your form tutor or Head of Year are good people to help you.
Starting a new school is a good way to make lots of new friends. Some of your existing friends will possibly also be coming to St Sampson’s and you may even know people who are already there. We have students joining this year from Hautes Capelles Primary, Vale Primary, Amherst Primary and St Mary & St Michaels Primary. Even if you don’t know anyone when you start you will quickly get to know lots of new people especially in your tutor group.
Tips for making friends:
There are lots of clubs and activities that you can take part in at St Sampson’s High School such as sporting activities like football, netball, badminton, table tennis or swimming. If you are creative you might like to go to the art club or drama club. We also have a Maths club and if you like music you can learn to play an instrument, be in the choir or play in a band.
If you have any questions please have a look below to see if the question has already been asked by another student. If it has not been asked please ask it via this form…
Previously asked questions and answers:
Question: On Transition day we had Mr Porterfield but I was told my tutor would be Miss Chamberlain. Which one will I have?
Answer: As Miss Chamberlain does not start until September at SSHS Mr Porterfield stood in to support the students on the transition day. Miss Chamberlain will the form tutor for 7ECN.
Question: On the first day do we go to the hall or are form class?
Answer: All students will meet their tutors in the hall and will be escorted to their tutor room.
Question: On the first week of school are we going to go on the climbing wall? Or what are we going to do?
Answer: There will be plenty of opportunities to use the climbing wall during your time at SSHS. Mr Le Page and Mr Cobb run a climbing club after school. Keep your eye out for more information when you arrive in September. The first week will be used to get used to life at SSHS and meeting your new teachers and classmates. In the first half term there will also be a teambuilding day where you get the chance to make new friends and learn more about each other.
