It has been heartwarming to see how well our Year 7 students and their families have already become a settled and happy part of our school.

INDUCTION DAY

This was a special first day when our Year 7s had the whole school to themselves! All activities were scheduled to be taken by their Character Development Coaches (CDC) , which meant the students could get to know them much better and vice versa.

The day started with a welcome assembly in the main hall and the students passed their first test of maintaining the high expectations of respect and conduct throughout the assembly with flying colours. The students looked proud and smart as they got their school photos taken. They received their school planners, timetables and the expectations of the school were shared. Students had the opportunity to learn about each other as they shared the capsules (shoe boxes) with their CD group. They were involved in a team building activity which helped ‘break the ice’ and start to build positive relationships with others. They got their biometrics registered for cashless catering, which many found to be ‘so cool’.

With so much more technology and IT being a part of the learning process at secondary school, the students had a session testing their logins, exploring their Gmail accounts, Edulink and Google Drive. On one of the IT sessions I visited the students were very excited about the touch screen monitors and were enjoying using these more than the physical keyboards.

At lunchtime, the pizza in the ‘Pod’ was the most most popular option, but we still had lots of students exploring what was on offer at the main restaurant and our pasta bar. One of my personal highlights was seeing how excited the students were using the new outdoor gym and our table tennis tables – they even inspired a few teachers to get involved too!!

All in all, the students had a great first day and it was really nice to see them smiling as they were greeted by parents outside the school gate at the end of the day.

YEAR 7 SETTLING IN EVENING

Whilst the induction day was to help ignite positive relationships and settle nerves with students, this event was to help achieve the same with parents and carers.

Parents and carers were greeted by our wonderful Sixth Form Prefects and invited to enjoy some refreshments before the main presentation of the evening. It was nice for parents and carers to see the restaurant that many of their children would be using each day.

During the main presentation in the hall, delivered by Mrs Penny, our Head of Year for Year 7, and myself, parents and carers got to enjoy some pictures of students really enjoying themselves in the first few days of school. The presentation went through lots of key information to help students and their families have the best start possible to Bushey Meads School. After the presentation, parents and carers got to have a more personalised session with their child’s CDC and the opportunity to ask any questions they may still have. Thank you to all the parents and carers who came to this event.

COME DINE WITH ME

Our next exciting event for our newest parents and carers, is a lovely event during which Year 7 parents and carers will get to see their child in a live lesson and enjoy having lunch with them in the school restaurant.

Well done to all of our Year 7 students for making such a positive start and thank you to all of our Year 7 parents and carers for all of the support and messages of thanks and appreciation you have been sending in or conveying in person.