Welcome to Wick High School LEARNING - AMBITION - RESPECT
Hello and welcome… Dear Parent/Carer, Despite the unusual times in which we live, I would like to welcome you and your child to our school community. Beginning S1 is an important moment in the life of a young person and we hope to make this year of their education the very best that it can be for them and for you as their parent/carer. While the current situation with COVID-19 has made life far from normal, the school’s commitment to our core values of ‘Ambition, Learning & Respect’ remain unchanged. I and my staff look forward to working with you and your child in the future. Kind Regards Mr Sebastian Sandecki, Rector (Acting)
Hello and welcome... Dear Parent/Carer, I hope this finds you well. In normal times we would have had an information evening before the summer break to introduce to you the school building, some of the key staff members and the curriculum that your child will experience in S1. Sadly, COVID-19 has made this impossible however this presentation will, at least, attempt to give you some information on the staff who will feature in your child’s first year as well as giving an overview of how their learning will be organised. We have all been delighted to meet your children in the few weeks that we have been at school and we look forward to working with them in the future, hopefully in more familiar ways. If you have any questions or comments regarding the presentation, or any aspect of S1, please feel free to contact me at the school’s email address or telephone number. Kind regards, Mr Grant Mackenzie Depute Rector and Year Head for S1
The Curriculum Children in Scottish schools follow the same basic curriculum structure: • S1 to S3 – Broad General Education (BGE) with 8 curricular areas: • Expressive Arts • Health and Wellbeing • Languages • Mathematics • Religious and Moral Education • Science • Social Studies • Technology • S4 to S6 – Senior Phase where subjects are chosen.
S1-3 Broad General Education: How the 3 years ‘look’ • S1 – 12 subjects based on the 8 curricular areas • S2 – identical to S1 • S3 – English & Maths, with choice of 6 other subjects to allow personalisation, while still maintaining breadth of knowledge across the 8 curricular areas
S4-6 Senior Phase: • Pupils begin to specialise, studying fewer subjects in more depth, and progress towards appropriate qualifications
What does our Learner Journey at Wick High School look like?
Progression Through the BGE The diagram above shows the likely progression through the Broad General Education for pupils who are likely to be successful at National 5 in S4 and Highers in S5 More information on this can be found on our website BY CLICKING HERE
An overview of First Year (S1)
First Year (S1) In Numbers • Our intake for 2020/21 is 150 • In S1 there are 6 classes named after our houses: Fergus, Morven, Noss, Rumster and Scaraben • In S1 pupils will experience 12 different subjects across 32 teaching periods each week.
The 12 S1 Subjects Music Home Maths English Economics Physical Art Religious & Education Moral Education Social French Subjects (Geography, History, Modern Science Personal & Studies) (Biology, Social Education Chemistry, Physics) Technical
The Faculties Each subject (other than PSE) is organised in to one of 6 Faculties in the school. English & Modern Maths, Computing & Sciences Languages Business English Maths Science French Art, Design & PE, Home Economics Social Technical Subjects & Music Subjects Art Home Economics Religious & Moral Music Education Technical Physical Education Geography, History, Modern Studies Pupil Support Personal & Social Education
The Timetable & School Day/Week ● Our school week is organised in to four full days (Monday to Thursday) and one half day on Friday. ● Learning is organised in to 32 teaching periods per week plus one 10 minute registration class each morning. ● The diagram below shows how this structure is organised, in NON COVID-19 circumstances.
COVID-19 Arrangements ● The diagram below shows our current day and week structure in response to COVID-19. ● An emphasis on keeping junior and senior years separate has resulted in staggered morning breaks, lunchtimes and the end of the school day. ● For our latest information on our school day structure and timings CLICK HERE.
A typical S1 timetable Each square represents a period class. Within each square you can see the subject name, the teacher and the room number.
Key Members Of Staff
Senior Management Team Senior Management Team – Headteacher (or Rector): • Mr Sandecki – Depute Headteachers: • Miss Bennett (Head of S2 and S4) • Mrs Laybourne (Head of S3 and S5) • Mr Mackenzie (Head of S1 and S6)
Pupil Support/Guidance Guidance & Pupil Support Team Principal Teachers: – Mrs Gunn (1M & 1R) – Mrs Bain (1F2 & 1N) – Mr Mackintosh (1F1 & 1S) – Mrs Shearer (Pupil Support ASN Department)
Faculty Heads English & Maths, Sciences Modern Computing & Languages Business Mr Ellis Ms Macarthur Mr Shand Art, Design & Geography, PE, Home Technical Economics & History, Modern Subjects Studies Music Mrs Clasper Mr Ross Mr Davis
How These People Will Help To Support Your Child
The entitlement to support “Every child and young person is entitled to support to enable them to gain as much as possible from the opportunities which Curriculum For Excellence can provide” (Building the Curriculum 3)
Who provides this support? Registration Teacher Guidance Senior Pupil Teacher Management Year Head Learning Support Staff
How each role supports your child Registration Teacher • The ‘first line of guidance’ • Contact each morning • Records and monitors attendance • A constant throughout school career
How each role supports your child SMT Year Head • Depute Rector • S1 & S6 – Mr G Mackenzie • S2 & S4 – Miss C Bennett • S3 & S5 – Mrs S Laybourne • Has overview of the year’s behaviour, attendance and rewards • Liaison with class teachers, Guidance and Rector to deal with issues arising
How each role supports your child Learning Support Staff • T o provide targeted specialised support • In-class support through teachers & Pupil Support Assistants (PSAs) • Support within the department - Class 2 • Help to those with Additional Support Needs (ASN) • Enhanced Provision • Also… ○ Childrens Services Workers, Highlife Highland, Step Forward Wick Youth
How each role supports your child Guidance Teacher (PTPS) • Your first point of contact as a parent/carer • Focal point of communication with pupils, parents, school and outside agency staff • Role is Pastoral, Curricular, Vocational • Key role in transitions: P7-S1, BGE-Senior Phase & 16+
How you can help support your child • Communication • Dialogue about learning at home • Communication with & from school ● Report Cards & Tracking Reports ● Parents’ Nights ● Website & social media ● Joining our mailing list ● Sharing up-to-date contacts
Our Website www.wickhighschool.co
What You’ll Find On Our Website • School News & Information • Documents and Policies • Closure Information & COVID-19 Updates • Calendar & Events • Parent and Pupil Resources • Curriculum & Subject Information & Resources • Highland Council Resources – Canteen menus and account management – Free school meals and clothing allowances
How you can help support your child Dress code • Central to the ethos of the school: a place of learning, respect and ambition. • Current dress code created in 2017 to mark the move to our new school. • Written with pupil and parent approval. • Details and lists of suppliers are available on our website.
Pupil Council Our Pupil Council allows for ‘pupil voice’ to be heard in the school. Elections are held at the start of each session and successful candidates are then given roles as either Community or Curricular Leaders of the school. More information is on our website.
We hope to return to these soon! Clubs & Activities School Trips Sport
Thank you for your time. If you have any questions please contact us.
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