BSAK Year 7 Pastoral Handbook 2024/2025

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OUR SCHOOL

The British School Al Khubairat (BSAK) is Abu Dhabi’s leading British not-for-profit, co-educational day school. From Nursery to A Level (3 – 18) our dynamic school culture offers students an enriching experience and outstanding results.

OUR VISION

Building on our unique local heritage, we will provide a world-class British education, inspiring all our students to exceed expectations.

OUR VALUES

Empathy and Care | Respect and Inclusivity

Honesty and Integrity | Endeavour and Resilience

YEAR 7 PASTORAL HANDBOOK

2024/2025

CONTENTS

P02 BSAK’s Vision and Values

P04 Assistant Head Welcome

P05 Wellbeing One Stop Shop

P06 Meet Your Head of Year

KINDLY CLICK ON THESE HYPERLINKS

Code of Conduct

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Safeguarding House System

Term Dates and Timings

Google Classroom and Devices

Uniform

Nursing Handbook

Transport Parking and Traffic

Communications - Parent Portal

Library

MELS

Communications - Social Media

Inclusion

Stationery

WELCOME FROM THE ASSISTANT HEAD

Dear Parents,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to Year 7 at BSAK.

The transition from Primary to Secondary school is a big step in a student’s educational journey and I am hugely excited to embark upon this adventure with you.

Whilst the opportunities ahead are tremendously exciting, there is also apprehension for students and parents alike.

Our Year 7 team is here to fully support and care for students as they grow and develop into successful learners and confident individuals. Your involvement as a parent during this year can make all the difference and I would like to thank you in advance for your support.

Ms Nichola Cooper Assistant Head ncooper@britishschool.sch.ae

WELLBEING PADLET ONE STOP SHOP

Last academic year BSAK launched our Wellbeing One Stop Shop which is accessible on the parent portal. Each month we added new materials associated with one of three topics; Inclusion, Digital Safety and Wellbeing. We will be continuing to do this so keep an eye out on our BSAK Facebook page.

Below you can find examples of content already there. Please take some time to look through, it is a resource for parents so if you have any suggestions on topics you want including contact me on ncooper@britishschool.sch.ae

Inclusion A spotlight on Neurodiversity with a focus on Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism

A spotlight on anxiety, depression, OCD and ODD

How to support your child with trauma or bereavement

Digital Safety Back to school online safety tips

Guidance on how to monitor and restrict internet usage at home

Guidance surrounding AI

Digital Safety Information booklet for parents with guidance on apps

Online Gaming Safety Tips and ESports Parent Guide

Wellbeing Strategies to help your tween or teen identify and process emotions

How to boost your child's self esteem

How to help your child develop resilience and prevent exams anxiety

How to manage conflict with your tween or teen

MEET YOUR HEAD OF YEAR

Dear Parents,

I would like to start by welcoming you all to Year 7. The move to Secondary School is a very important step in the life of every young person, with lots of interesting new subjects to learn, a different building to explore and new teachers and friends to meet. It is an exciting step but one that can be confusing and rather overwhelming at times. Here at BSAK, we aim to make the transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

During transition week, the Year 6 students will have the opportunity to attend different lessons in the secondary school and meet secondary teachers. They also engage in a team building day with their new form, led by their Year 7 tutor and have a tour of the secondary school. I hope this will help your child feel a little more relaxed about joining Year 7.

At BSAK we believe that every student is an important individual and we strive to ensure that each of them is able to achieve success. In order for this to happen I would encourage all Year 7 students to immerse themselves fully into the school community and ensure they participate in our wide variety of extra curricular activities.

Lessons in Secondary School are a very different experience to those at Primary level. Our teachers are subject specialists with very high standards who want to support our students to realise their potential; working hard, showing resilience and having a positive attitude is key. Year 7’s also have to learn to take more responsibility for themselves with regards to their homework and behaviour, which again may take some time to adjust to. Getting into good habits, and being accountable for their actions, is something our students will be working hard to develop, and we very much appreciate support from parents with this at home.

It is vital that parents and the school work together to support student learning and we value frequent links with parents. I hope you will feel that you can contact your child’s form tutor or me if you have any queries regarding their education and welfare.

I am excited for the year ahead, I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know the Year 7 students.

Become part of our outstanding #BSAKCommunity and follow us on Social Media @BSAKAbuDhabi

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