From the Head of Secondary 22.06.2024
Welcome to the Class of 2031!
Undoubtedly, one of the highlights this week has been the Year 6 to 7 Transition Days event which traditionally we have held at this time for many years. Read here Ms Beresford’s account:
‘This week, our Year 6 students embarked on a thrilling three-day transition experience, stepping into the world of Secondary school life. This exciting event provided them with a wonderful opportunity to get a taste of what awaits them in Year 7.
The transition days were packed with a variety of lessons and activities, designed to familiarise the students with the Secondary environment. Our budding scientists had a fantastic time in the Science lab, where they conducted experiments and explored fascinating topics. In Drama, the students unleashed their creativity, participating in fun improvisation exercises and group performances. The IT sessions were equally engaging, as they learned new skills and worked on exciting projects. These were only a few of the amazing taster lessons they experienced. Beyond the classroom, the transition days ended with an energetic team building activity; this activity got them to think about the importance of collaboration and teamwork.
One of the highlights of the transition experience was the warm and welcoming atmosphere created by our current Year 7 students and teachers. They were eager to share their experiences and offer guidance, making the Year 6 students feel comfortable and excited about their future.
The three days were not just about learning, they were also about having fun. The laughter and smiles were a testament to the enjoyment the students had. Whether it was discovering a new passion in a subject, working together in a game, or simply making new friends, the transition days were a resounding success.
We are confident that this experience has given our Year 6 students a positive and enthusiastic outlook as they prepare to move up to Secondary school. A big thank you to all the staff and students who made these transition days memorable and special. Here’s to a bright and exciting journey ahead for our future Year 7s!’
It was wonderful that three of our new incoming students were also able join in all the fun, and I am sure that they are looking forward even more to entering Year 7 in August, together with some others who were not able to join us this week. The students were also able to meet their Year 7 form tutors, Mr Williams and Ms Bagiu.
Many thanks to the Year 6 parents who joined me on Tuesday to talk about what their children would be experiencing in Year 7. Whilst a few of the parents are already familiar with Secondary, having children already in our section of the school, for most it will be a new experience. I do know that for parents it can be a somewhat anxious time. Watching their child take this big step on their educational journey is a sign that their child is growing up and is a matter of great pride. It is important that parents understand as much as they can about this next stage so that they can support their child and the school, and that together we can ensure that their children are happy: socially, emotionally and academically.
At the other end of the school, our Year 12 students embarked upon their work experience this week. Again, this is a long-standing event in our school calendar, only interrupted during the Covid years. We have a system whereby the students are visited in their workplace by a member of our Secondary teaching staff.
Read here Ms McNutt’s account of her visit to Thomas Dousett, whose placement was at Juruukur Robert Cheng and Associates.
‘Thomas contacted Me Robert Cheng having found his contact information from a friend’s parent. With Thomas’s CV showing skills in Maths, Physics and knowledge of Geography and ICT this, he has found, fits very well with the attributes needed for successful land surveying.
Thomas had opportunities this week in the office to review reports and study the theory of surveying. He has been given the opportunity if he wishes in the near future to be able to join a practical surveying reconnaissance of a future infrastructure project from the installation of electricity pylons to roads, water pipelines, large scale solar installation projects and more.
Mr Cheng was highly complimentary about Thomas and his level of focus, drive and his interest in this career path.
Thomas has been learning about GIS – Geographical Information systems used for the creation of digital mapping, something I was able to share as I first used it in 1996 whilst doing my undergraduate dissertation, mapping hazards and rating risk to the highway traversing a 15km section of the Upper Indian Himalayas in the Lahul valley.’
I am not surprised that Thomas has created such a good impression of himself at his work placement, and I am sure that all of our Year 12 students have done likewise.
Three students actually had placements at KIS!
The world of work can sometimes be a bit overwhelming and with two of them assisting in Early Years it is not really a surprise that they may have found it rather overwhelming. Perhaps this photo of Ruth says more about that than more effectively than any words I could possibly use:
Ruth, many thanks for giving me permission to use your photo! I think it really sums up what we all know: working in a school can be very tiring [but also very rewarding]. Ruth tells me that this was taken at the end of the first day, and that subsequent days were less exhausting as she got used to it all.
The Work Experience unit is an integral part of our Careers Programme which eventually guides the students through the whole process of selecting universities and applying to them. We are very proud of the success that the school has had in this, with our students attaining places at top universities around the world.
This week we were visited by quite a few ex-students [they never really leave] and it was fantastic to see Laverne and Ryan when they popped into my office!
On Tuesday afternoon next week at 2pm we have the final Secondary assembly of the academic year. We will be giving out merit and other certificates, and parents are welcome to attend. This will be followed next Friday morning at our special whole year End of Year Celebration and Graduation to which all parents are invited. This promises to be a really wonderful conclusion to the year, and we hope to see all parents and family members there. It is a compulsory event for our students.
As I write this on Thursday evening, we are all looking forward to Prom2024 which is happening on Friday evening at Le Meridien. It promises to be a sparklingly fun event; watch out for photos and news about that in next week’s newsletter.
In the meantime, have a super weekend!
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary
