Year 6 to 7 Transition

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.

• Pen
• Pencil
• Rubber
• Ruler
• Sharpener
• Calculator
• Pencil case
• Small pair of headphones and with a lead and mini jack for their music lessons. (not Bluetooth)

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:

Click here to view

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:

• Arriving to lesson on time
• Arriving with all equipment needed
• Being in full and correct school uniform
• Attempting all work set
• Following staff instructions
• Being helpful and supportive
• Outstanding progress
• Extra-curricular contributions

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;

ECS – E. Chesters
MNE – M. Noble
SWK – S. Wenlock
PME – P. Maguire
SDD – S. Durand

There is also a member of staff who is your Head of Year. The Head of Year 7 for September 2021 is Ms Hollingworth. Ms Hollingworth 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, La Houguette Primary, Castel 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:

• Smile, be pleasant and say ‘Hi’ to people
• Join in with some of St Sampson High’s activities and clubs
• Be a good listener and ask lots of questions. A good way to let people know you are interested in them is to ask them about what they like and what they think.
• Don’t be bossy or show-off
• Try to do things which might be of interest to you

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.

• • You get lost?
    St Sampson’s High School will be a lot bigger than your primary school. You will probably feel a little anxious about moving from classroom to classroom between lessons, this is normal. Until you settle in we have arranged for some older students to collect your class and take you around the building to your next lesson. Much sooner than you imagine, you will be able to find your way around and other pupils and teachers are all happy to guide you. It is all part of the fun of going to high school!
  • You are late for school?
    If you are late for school you need to enter through the front door and tell the office staff so they can mark you in the register.
  • You don’t feel very well?
    If you are not coming into school because you feel ill your parents must telephone school first thing in the morning.
    If you feel ill whilst you are in school, tell your class teacher and they will give you a note to take to the school office.
    Occasionally they may contact your parents and ask them to come and collect you.
  • If you want to go to the toilet?
    There is plenty of opportunity to go to the toilet any time before school, during break or lunchtimes. If you really need to go during lessons just ask your teacher. If you have a medical issue that requires you to go to the toilet more frequently than others speak to your form tutor or Head of Year and they will organise a toilet pass for you. 
  • If you have lost something?
    Look back where you have been to see if you can find the item. If not, tell your tutor and they will try and help.
    Remember, it is really important to have your name on all items that you bring into school to help if you do lose something.
    It may also have been handed into lost property. Lost property is behind reception next to the medical room.
  • If someone is making you unhappy?
    You must tell your form teacher, your Head of Year or any other member of staff if someone is making you feel unhappy.
    You could also tell a friend or your parents and ask them to inform a member of staff.
  • If you don’t understand your work?
    You must tell your teacher first if you don’t understand what they have asked you to do. Our teachers really want to help you and see you do your best. Nobody will ever think any less of you for asking for help!
  • Can I bring a mobile phone to school?
    We understand the safety aspects of having a mobile phone but we do ask that you have it switched off during the school day and that it is kept out of sight. It is also your responsibility to make sure it is kept safe and does not get damaged whilst you are at school.

  If you have any other questions…
  Ask your form teacher or any other member of staff if you have any other queries. You could also ask our prefects or another pupil – they will all be happy to help.