Dear Parents and Guardians,
Happy New Year to our Year 7 families! I hope you had a restful, joyful and rejuvenating break. It has been a pleasure to welcome our Year 7 students back to school this week; it has been wonderful to see them looking well rested and eager to make a positive start to the new term.
Moving from the first term into the second marks another significant milestone in their secondary education, and the students have returned with a renewed sense of focus and maturity.
Term 2 is always an exciting time for Year 7 as they build upon the foundations laid in the autumn. We have plenty of opportunities for growth, extracurricular activities and academic discovery lined up over the coming weeks.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring your child is prepared and motivated for the days ahead.
I would like to remind you of a few key areas and dates for the coming term.
Attendance
Whilst absences during term time are sometimes unavoidable, we cannot overstate the vital link between consistent attendance and academic success. Research consistently shows that students with high attendance rates, with 95% attendance being the expected minimum level, not only achieve better grades but also feel more socially connected and confident within the school community. For this reason, we do not encourage or authorise holidays during term time. Taking time out of the classroom can create gaps in learning that are often difficult to bridge and can disrupt the momentum your child has worked so hard to build. We appreciate your cooperation in prioritising school attendance to ensure your child has the best possible foundation for the years ahead. Any planned and unplanned absences should be reported via the Jotforms on the DBIS Hub.
Uniform
As we move into some colder weather, it remains important that students wear the correct school uniform. School jackets can be purchased from the uniform shop; non-school jackets and hoodies may be worn to school but must be removed and left in lockers during the school day.
Information and Key Events for Term 2 – Year 7
|
Date |
Day | Event |
| 9 Jan | Fri | House Meet |
| 15 Jan | Thu | Head Prefects’ Assembly |
| 19 – 22 Jan | Mon – Thu | Inter-House Event |
| 23 Jan | Fri | House Meet |
| 4 Feb | Wed | DBIS Live (4pm) |
| 6 Feb | Fri | Children’s Mental Health Day |
| 9 – 11 Feb | Mon – Wed | Secondary School Production |
| 16 – 20 Feb | Mon – Fri | Chinese New Year Break |
| 23 Feb | Mon | Start back at school |
| 26 Feb | Thu | Year 5–8 Sports Day |
| 27 Feb | Fri | House Meet |
| 4 Mar | Wed | Short Report Published |
| 6 Mar | Fri | Professional Development Day – students not in school |
| 7 Mar | Sat | International Food Fair |
| 13 Mar | Fri | House Meet |
| 16 – 19 Mar | Mon – Thu | Inter-House Event |
| 20 Mar | Fri | World Down Syndrome Day |
| 25 Mar | Wed | Spring Concert (5pm) |
| 27 Mar | Fri | House Assembly – Term 2 |
| 27 Mar | Fri | Last day of Term 2 |
| 13 Apr | Mon |
Start of Term 3 |
Thank you again for your continued support. We look forward to another busy and successful term in Year 7.
Best wishes,
Louise Tyrrell
Head of Year 7