FAQs for Parents and Carers of students joining Year 7

Moving from primary to secondary school is an exciting and significant event in the life of your child. When a child starts at secondary school, they are expected to cope with a whole variety of new experiences and changes, many of which demand skills and abilities that they have not had to use before. We have a transition programme that last for the first 8 weeks with Year 7 so we will take our time and guide the students through all of the new systems that we have for homework, how we learn in the classroom, what are systems are for the canteen etc.

• School Uniform can be purchased from anywhere the parent/carer wishes. If the uniform purchased is in line with our uniform policy, we have no preference as to where Parent/Carers purchase the uniform from. If Parent/Carers need any support with uniform, please contact us as soon as possible as we do have a store of second-hand uniform items.
• Find our school uniform here – https://www.stahigh.org/school-life/uniform/
• The school tie, school badge and spare lanyards/ID Cards can only be purchased from the school directly via Parent Pay.
• PE Kit can be purchased directly from MacPac who will send your order directly to your home address – https://www.mapac.com/education/parents/uniform/staugustinescehighnw65sn

All students are expected to enter and leave the school site via the same gate which is at the front of the school on Kilburn Park Road. Students should only enter through the main reception entrance if they have to see the Main Office staff or arrive after 9.05am. Any student that has permission to leave the school site before 3:30pm (For example, a dentist appointment), will leave through the main reception entrance.

With the rise in mental health concerns, the risk of being a victim of crime, potential addiction and dependency, the risk of accessing inappropriate content and grooming and a reduction in attention spans, we would encourage all parents/carers if they want their child to have a phone, is to purchase a ‘brick phone.’  We have come to learn that Smartphones and social media frequently have a hugely detrimental influence on your young people, particularly during primary school and in Years 7/8/9 when, quite simply, they are too young to freely access the internet. What children need during this period of their lives is consistency, compassion and a sense of belonging. Families provide this. Schools provide this. Social Media does not, and yet it is on social media that many of them spend much of their lives.

1. To apply for Free School Meals 

Complete the following form Free School Meal Form. 02.11.docx and send back to fsm@westminster.gov.uk

1. Any student who is living in temporary accommodation and has no access to any benefits – New arrival to the UK

Please complete the NRPF application form below and then send to fsm@westminster.gov.uk

Application form – Free School Meal Form – NRPF form 1.docx

1. Any student who is living in temporary accommodation and the family have no access to any benefits and are not a new arrival to the UK?

Inform the school once their circumstances change but would encourage to complete the form too and send to fsm@westminster.gov.ukNRPF Application_form_for_free_school_meals_from_families_with_no_recourse_to_public_funds_.docx

• All absences must be reported before 8.50am each day, using our dedicated absence line 0207 328 3434, option 1. Please leave your child’s first and last name, their tutor group and the reason for their absence clearly on the answering machine.
• If you know your child is going to be absent, please let us know in advance.
• Written notification, giving the details of all absences, must be given to the Attendance Officer/Pastoral Year Coordinator on your child’s return to school. If your child has been absent due to a medical appointment, please bring in a copy of the appointment card/hospital letter or the screen shot from your mobile phone.
• Unexplained absences will be unauthorised by the school.
• Absences of 5 or more days must be supported by medical evidence. The aim is to prepare students for progression to Key Stage 4, further education or employment. Absence of 5 or more days without supporting medical evidence will not be authorised.
• Holidays during term time will not be authorised.
• Any form of unauthorised absence may be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice from the Local Authority or a Referral for Early Help Intervention.

Depending on your child’s individual needs, there is a range of different support that students receive at St Augustine’s. Our SEND Department, which includes EAL (English as an Additional Language) and our DSP (Deaf Student Provision) have a wide variety of in-class support, intervention classes and therapeutic offers such as counselling, mentoring, art therapy and physiotherapy.  For a conversation about your child’s needs, please contact Ms Semic, Head of Student Support, on ssemic@stahigh.org

We have allocated 6^th Form students who can be a ‘buddy’ for some of our students, especially supporting with transition. We also have a strong pastoral system which expert staff available for students to talk to. We have two onsite counsellors, mentors and a pastoral programme which also teacher well-being and regulation techniques that students can develop.

There is a lot of different activities that your child(ren) can get involved with before, during and after school. Breakfast Club is open to any student from 7.45am, Monday to Friday.

After school clubs and activities are published on our website each term.  Please find the most recent timetable of all our extra-curricular activities that are taking place below. The majority of clubs finish between 4:30pm-5pm unless stated otherwise.

https://www.stahigh.org/school-life/extended-curriculum-opportunities/

Ms Brady – Year 7 Pastoral Year Coordinator – jbrady@stahigh.org

Mr Russell – Year 7 Director of Learning – Nrussell@stahigh.org

Ms Tumber – Assistant Headteacher in charge of Year 7 – mtumber@stahigh.org

Mr Cunningham – Designated Safeguarding Lead – safegaurding@stahigh.org

Ms Mortier – Attendance Officer – cmortier@stahigh.org