Moving from junior to senior school
The move to senior school is both exciting and unnerving in equal measure. With this in mind, pupils in Year 7 at St Benedict’s offer their advice for children about to join a new school, based on their own experience one year ago.
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Joining Senior School is an exciting and fun time but for a lot of people it can also be a bit stressful. It is completely normal to feel this way. Remember that there are lots of people you can talk to and trust, such as your Form Teacher, your mentor or Head of Year. Just remember that you are not alone and that you matter. (Alice)
Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast so that you are alert and can focus. (Niamh)
Being organised…
Folders and books
You will have a textbook and exercise book for every subject to take to each lesson. Keep the same books for each subject with each other in your locker. However, an even more efficient way is to have a folder that you can store everything for that subject in. (Elio)
Before school and before lessons, check where you need to be and which books and equipment you need to take. (Dylan)
Try to keep your locker tidy so that you can find your books easily. (Giovanni)
Sports Kit
Pack your kit the night before so you have more time to remember everything. (Callum)
Homework
- As soon as the teacher mentions the homework write it down. Also remember to put in when it is due!
- When you are packing your stuff to take home check your prep diary. Make sure you pack all the books you need.
- Before you start your homework make sure you have all your books next to you and try to keep your phone out of the room.
- When doing your homework always keep your prep diary open on that day’s homework notes.
- Do your homework to the best of your ability and try to do it on your own but if you do need help ask an adult or older sibling. If you’re really stuck talk to your teacher.
- Always do your homework on the day it is set! Don’t let it build up.
- Before you throw yourself on the couch, tidy up! Make sure everything is in your bag and your bag is by the front door, so it is impossible to forget. Also, make sure you’ve printed out what you needed to print out.
- Once you’ve done that…relax! (Blaise)
Activities
Do as many school activities as you can to develop a wide range of interests. Activities help you to become the person you want to be. They also help you to talk to pupils in other years. (Nicholas)
If you are new to the school, clubs and activities can help you to make new friends who will clearly have similar interests to you. (James)