Year 8 Welcome Booklet 2020-2021 : simplebooklet.com

WELCOME from MR MAXWELL A very warm welcome to Carrickfergus Grammar School We like to think that we are an ambitious happy and successful school and we see ourselves as one big family Our main aim is to offer you a world class education one that allows you to meet all the great aspirations and ambitions that you have for later life Out teachers are both highly experienced and experts in their field of learning They will ensure that they give you the knowledge which will make you stand out in later life and which will give you the edge when you apply for jobs Of course you are also responsible for your own success We believe that the routines and responsibilities you will have as a student at Carrickfergus Grammar School will allow you to thrive as long as you approach school life with a positive can do attitude and a desire to do well and meet your great potential You also have to be happy in yourself in order to learn well At Carrickfergus Grammar School we believe in being kind generous and respectful of others We believe in the importance of gratitude The more we practise these virtues the happier we probably are We have a great pastoral team of highly experienced staff and student buddies like the Prefects in the photo who will help you as you settle in We also have lots of clubs and activities for you to try We would encourage you to attend some and become involved in our school community We will value all your contributions Congratulations once again on becoming a member of the Carrickfergus Grammar School community and I look forward to getting to know you all very soon J A Maxwell Principal Page 1

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WELCOME from MR MACDONALD Welcome to Carrickfergus Grammar School Congratulations on gaining a place in this school all your hard work over the last seven years has paid off and you are now beginning the second important stage in your education I am writing this from my own study at home a reflection of how life has changed over the last number of months Gone are the face to face meetings replaced by group video chats It is not how things should be and it won t be like this forever When we return to school hopefully in August September it is important that we start well My Year 8 team of class tutors and myself will be here for you We will hopefully make your transition and all the challenges that can come with it from primary school as enjoyable as possible We are here for you so don t worry However it must be said Mr Maxwell and all his staff expect extremely high standards of behaviour This is so important Year 8 students I am confident that you will treat teachers other pupils school property and the property of others with respect Uniform is worn neatly and you should always look well presented I also encourage you to strive for 100 attendance next year as this will give you the best chance of success in your end of year examinations I hope you take advantage of the many extra curricular activities on offer and get fully involved in our school community There really is something for everyone It is important for your enjoyment of school life that you become involved in something outside the classroom You are encouraged to recognise the importance of homework It is vital that you have your Homework Diary in school everyday It will help you keep to deadlines and remind you to do all your homework You should also use the diary to reflect on your learning and the skills you are developing each day We expect high standards of presentation and work should always be the best you can do Finally I am delighted to be your Head of Year and I cannot wait to play my part in helping you achieve all you and your parents hope for at this school In these difficult times may you be drawn to this wonderful quote from the Brilliant Belfast author CS Lewis Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny Year 8 students yours is calling Page 2 WATCH A VIDEO OF MR MACDONALD HERE

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MEET the FORM TEACHERS Mrs Best 8P My name is Mrs Best and I am Head of Religious Studies in school I enjoy cooking and reading I also enjoy hill walking and help with Duke of Edinburgh in school I love to spend time at the North Coast I hope you all have a lovely summer and am very much looking forward to meeting my new form class Ms Claver 8Q Hola my name is Senora Claver and I am the Head of Spanish at CGS I love dancing especially salsa dancing and reading I am very excited about being your form teacher Can t wait to meet you all in August Adi s Mr Kennedy 8R Hello My name is Mr Kennedy and I am Head of Boys PE I have been working here for a long time but it is quite a long time since I had a Year 8 Tutor Group I am looking forward to meeting you all and I hope you are looking forward to beginning your journey at Carrickfergus GS Mrs Murray 8S Hello I am Madame Murray and I am Head of French so I am looking forward to help you learn French I have been in Northern Ireland for many many years but I am originally French I have two fantastic daughters who are older than you a lovely dog and a cute cat I love reading and horse riding I look forward to seeing you in August or whenever possible Page 5

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THINGS to REMEMBER Be organised for each school day bring all your books equipment and PE Kit if needed School begins at 8 40am Enter the school building via the pupil entrance and if getting dropped off or picked up by car or bus you must use the upper driveway outside the pupil entrance Make sure you get a good night s sleep School finished at 3 25pm unless you are doing an after school activity Leave via the pupil entrance Write all your homework in your Homework Diary and bring it to every class with you Take it out of your bag when you enter a classroom and keep it on the desk ready for use If you are absent from school your parent guardian will get a text and will be able to reply to say why you are absent Speak to Mr Macdonald or your Form Teacher if you have a problem Put your name on your uniform PE kit and sports equipment Get involved in an extra curricular activity Keep your computer password secure Page 6

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GENERAL ADVICE If you are absent Your parent guardian will be sent a text message that day asking for reason of absence A reply to the school can be sent at any stage on that day Alternatively you can bring in a note to your Class Tutor on the day you return to school hand this in during Registration Lost item Speak to Mr Vine our Assistant Caretaker in the ICT corridor before school between 8 30am and 8 40 am or at Lunchtime between 1 00 pm and 1 15 pm Feeling sick Ask out of class go to see Mrs McMaster or Mrs Kirk at reception Forgotten your password or need printer credits Speak to Mr Blair in T2 ICT corridor Lost your pen drive Again speak to Mr Blair in T2 Forget or lost your locker key Speak to Mr Vine Need to get out of school early e g dental or doctor s appointment Bring in a note from your parents to your Class Tutor during Registration You will be given a Pass out slip which you show to your teacher at the time you need to leave Hand this in at reception before you leave school If you are upset worried or unhappy Speak to your Class Tutor or Head of Year Late into school Sign the Late Book at reception or at the Grainger Centre Lost item Speak to Mr Vine our Assistant Caretaker in the ICT corridor before school between 8 30am and 8 40 am or at Lunchtime between 1 00 pm and 1 15 pm Page 7

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SUBJECTS at CGS YEARS 8 10 English Mathematics Religious Studies PE Games Biology Chemistry Physics History Geography French Spanish Home Economics Art and Design Technology Music ICT Drama Year 10 Learning for Life and Work KEY STAGE 4 GCSE English English Literature Mathematics Further Mathematics Religious Studies PE Games PE GCSE Art and Design Biology Chemistry Physics Business Studies Digital Technology Drama History Geography French Spanish Home Economics Food and Nutrition Home Economics Child Development Health and Social Care Music Technology Learning for Life and Work LLW Careers Occupational Studies Engineering Page 8 KEY STAGE 5 A Level English Literature Mathematics Further Mathematics Religious Studies PE Accounting Biology Chemistry Physics Art and Design Business Studies History Government and Politics Geography Travel and Tourism French Spanish Food and Nutrition Health and Social Care Music Photography Media Studies Moving Image Arts Technology Digital Technology Applied ICT LLW Games Sports Studies

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EXTRA CURRICULAR Army Cadet Force Athletics Badminton Basketball Book Club Breakfast Club Bridge Chess Choir Cookery Cricket Debating Drama Duke of Edinburgh Equestrian Football Gaming Golf Gym Habitat for Humanity Hockey ICT Instrumental Ensembles Mandarin Minecraft Modern Languages Netball Orchestra Orienteering Photography Reading Rugby Running Science Show Jumping Scripture Union STEM Strings Table Tennis Tennis Volleyball Young Enterprise Page 10

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On the previous page you will have read some of the extra curricular activities on offer in your first year at Carrickfergus Grammar School We would encourage you all where possible to take part and put your talents to use in some aspect of extracurricular life Information regarding all sports and societies can be obtained from staff in charge the school s website notice boards school newsletter and screens around the school If you play on a team it is anticipated that you will make yourself available for Saturday sport Page 11

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SCHOOL TRIPS Educational trips take place throughout the school year In recent years these have included amongst others a Year 8 trip to the Breckenhill Outdoor Activity Centre a ski trip to Andorra choir trips to Vienna and Limerick In 2019 the Carrickfergus Grammar School choir was a finalist in the Northern Ireland School Choir of the Year competition a rugby tour to Portugal a hockey tour to Holland In 2019 the Carrickfergus Grammar School first X1 squad was a finalist in the Ulster Hockey Super League a History and Politics trip to London a Technology trip to London Spanish exchange trips a Paris trip Geography field trips English Theatre trips Scripture Union residentials at Castlewellan Page 13

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT In our Personal Development programme with Year 8 we aim to support the values and teaching offered at home by delivering a factual moral and informative course that prepares our children for life as a young adult with all its pressures mixed messages and responsibilities The Year 8 Course focuses on the following topics Puberty Physical and emotional changes Hygiene Self esteem Influences on Me The media My friends Adjusting to school life External Influences Smoking Drugs Alcohol Class Contract and Ground Rules Focus on the individual Understanding managing and controlling feelings Abilities and challenges Decision making Time management Relationships in the Family The roles we play Friendships Relationships Time management We are also delighted to introduce 2 new ventures run by outside agencies The PSNI will be in school to look at road safety Women s Aid will be taking a 4 week programme on change this will include looking at changes in our lives being yourself bullying and looking to the future Page 14

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PEER MENTORING Peer Mentors are Year 13 pupils who will meet with your class at lunchtime once every two weeks They will also be available during other times when you are together with your registration class They will arrange fun activities to help you get to know other pupils in your class and will be available to give you advice on any problems or worries that you may have about settling into your new school They remember what it was like starting in a new school and can help you with things like finding your way around helping you organise your homework diary giving advice about making new friends and maybe just being a friendly face in the corridors We also have Academic Mentors who give some junior pupils the opportunity to work through difficulties they are having in particular subjects So if you are having some problems getting used to the work in your new school you not only have your teachers to rely on for help but the Academic Mentors are there to support you as well Page 15

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ICT The school computer facilities are available for the use of pupils to assist with their learning Please speak to Mr Morrow Mr Blair or Mr McKittrick if you have any questions at all about computer use within this school During your first few days at Carrickfergus Grammar School you will be given an induction session and will be shown the basics of using the school computer network internet and email You will also be shown how to access your files stored on the school network from home You will quickly discover there are computers everywhere within Carrickfergus Grammar School All computers are networked and all have internet access Here is a quick summary You will have two periods of DT per cycle so you can ask your DT Teacher about anything you need help with in relation to the school network Room 10 25 PCs Laser Printer Colour Laser Printer Data Projector Scanner Room 11 30 PCs Laser Printer Colour Laser Printer Data Projector Room 25 30 PCs Laser Printer Colour Laser Printer A3 Colour Laser Printer Data Projector Technology 21 PCs Laser Printer Colour Laser Printer For blended learning during the COVID 19 Pandemic we have been using Google Classroom You are welcome to make use of the Digital Technology DT facilities after school Supervised access is available in the Grainger Centre until 4 30 pm 3 30 pm on a Friday on request You will be issued with a username and initial password on your first day in school This username will stay with you for your time at Carrickfergus Grammar School All pupils have an email address for school use You should remember that all emails are monitored and email sent from the school system is not private Teachers can and do regularly check email use within school We hope you enjoy the facilities that we have to offer you treat the facilities with respect at all times and report anything that is broken immediately Mr Blair the DT Technician is here to help you with any problems you may have Do not be afraid to ask for help Page 16

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PE Dear Student Congratulations on obtaining your place at Carrickfergus Grammar School We hope that you will enjoy your new school get involved in all we have to offer and make lots of new friends At Carrickfergus Grammar School we take pride in the extra curricular sporting activities we offer across all year groups Moving from Primary School to Grammar School can be daunting but we would encourage you to get involved in many of the clubs and societies the school has to offer We have after school clubs for the follow activities Rugby Hockey Netball Football Cricket Tennis Athletics Running Club Orienteering Taking part in some sort of physical activity brings many benefits Aside from the obvious physical benefits sport can help to improve mental health as well as helping you to make friends with people from other Primary Schools who have similar interests to you Being part of a team or club also helps to develop skills that are important for your future such as teamwork dedication commitment and drive Mr Kennedy Head of Boys PE Mrs Botha Head of Girls PE Extra curricular sporting involvement should form an integral part of your school career at CGS As a PE department we would encourage you to get involved right from the beginning of Year 8 and try some activities you may never have previously experienced We look forward to meeting you all in Year 8 and we hope that you get involved in as much of the life of CGS during your time with us Have a safe and enjoyable summer Page 17

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MERITS Carrickfergus Grammar School has introduced a Merit System aimed at fostering and encouraging outstanding values in all aspects of school life and acknowledging the many positive behaviours staff witness from students on a daily basis You can accrue achievement points which are then recognised and celebrated at Special Assemblies or other functions such as special breakfasts The students form classes and year groups with the most points may receive special privileges or rewards Students can attain achievement points amongst other things for acting in an exceptionally responsible manner demonstrating stoicism exceptional display of gratitude exceptional display of good manners exceptional display of leadership exceptional classwork exceptional homework exceptional contribution to school life exceptional helpfulness improved effort attitude exceptional examination performance exceptional fundraising and charity work exceptional contribution to extra curricular activity full attendance over one month no behaviour points in a month MERIT POINTS 15 Letter home 25 Certificate from Head of Year 35 Certificate from Mrs Kane 50 Vice Principal s Award and achievers breakfast 75 Principal s Award and achievers prize Page 20

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ASPIRE Carrickfergus Grammar School insists upon very high standards of behaviour We believe that you thrive on routines and boundaries you are ultimately happier when school is a well disciplined environment behaviour becomes unacceptable at the very moment a teacher has to stop teaching to speak with a child At this school we believe that if you look after the pennies the pounds will look after themselves If you get the small things right such as wearing uniform to a very high standard not slouching in seats in class and listening attentively to the teacher at all times the bigger things will fall into place not least a high standard of education robust learning and good grades We encourage you to ASPIRE in line with the graphic opposite At the start of Year 8 parents are asked to sign a contract indicating their support for the school s behaviour management system We fully appreciate the support of parents in ensuring that the school environment is welldisciplined Page 21

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GRAINGER CENTRE and LIBRARY The Grainger Centre and Library What sort of books do you have in the library When is the centre open The Centre is open to Years 8 12 During break time During lunch time After school Monday Thursday until 4 30pm BUT on Friday the centre closes at 3 30pm Fiction story books or novels Reference books Encyclopaedias Dictionaries etc which cannot be removed from the library but which can be used while you are there Non Fiction books are kept in class libraries How to borrow a library book Select the book you would like to read and take it to Mrs Taylor or Mrs Barry in the Grainger Centre Give Mrs Taylor or Mrs Barry your name and class Your book is then scanned and stamped with the return date normally 2 weeks later and given back to you to read The Grainger Centre also has internet linked computers which you are allowed to use at break and lunch and after school How many books can I borrow You are permitted to borrow 2 books at a time for a period of 2 weeks They must be returned before you are allowed to borrow anymore Can I let my friend read the book after me By all means but you have to return it to the library first yourself then your friend can borrow it in the same way that you did Remember that while you have the book on loan you are responsible for its safe return Page 22

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TRANSPORT Assistance with travel will be given by the Education Authority to any pupil living over three miles from the school and for whom Carrickfergus Grammar School is the nearest Grammar School This may mean for example subsidised transport by train to Carrickfergus Station from where the pupil will make his her own way up the North Road either by bus or on foot If a pupil does not qualify for a Travel Pass but is using the same route daily Translink offers special rates and a special pass Do check that this pass will be economical before purchasing it for example if a pupil walks or gets a lift home for twenty journeys in the year it may not be worth the investment Note the number of the bus you travel to school on so that you can catch the same bus home they don t have their destinations on them If in doubt ask the pupils at the school turning circle or the bus drivers Parents if you bring your child to school or collect them by car please drop them on the North Road or if you must come into school grounds please do so by the top drive only Access via the lower driveway is restricted to staff and pupils with mobility issues Please observe all double yellow lines Finally if you are collecting your child after 4 30 pm please do so in the car park at the front of the school The top driveway is closed from this time Buses operate on every school day although on days of early closure you will have to make alternative arrangements It should be mentioned that school finishes at 2 25pm every Friday 2 Buses will come at normal time on these days and you can wait in the Grainger Centre until your bus arrives If in doubt please telephone the School Office Check where your nearest bus stop is it is worth noting now where CGS pupils are waiting in the mornings Don t be shy about asking them what time their bus arrives and about what they do if they miss their bus Page 25

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Coming to School If you come to school by bus or train answer the following questions They will help you to keep important information at the front of your mind 1 What is the number of the bus or train you get to school 2 What route does your bus take on the way to school 3 At what time should you arrive at your bus stop 4 If you miss your bus is there another bus you can get 5 What should you do if your bus does not come Getting Home 1 What bus do you take to get home 2 Where do you queue for this bus 3 What time does the bus leave 4 What would you do if you arrived and found that your bus had gone Staying After School 1 If you get a bus to school what would you do if you had to stay after school for an extracurricular activity Page 26

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STUDENT REFLECTIONS Jessica Smith Head Girl The past seven years at Carrickfergus Grammar School have taught me many valuable lessons academically and otherwise It is difficult to pinpoint a favourite memory out of the many I have however the ski trip in 2016 stands out I am forever grateful for the endless opportunities the school has afforded me and I have loved every minute Katie Sullivan Deputy Head Girl Throughout my time at Carrickfergus Grammar School I have been granted so many opportunities because of the amazing staff who always believed in me I will also remember singing in the Choir in so many fantastic places such as Vienna I have gained lifelong friendships and memories Jakob McComb Head Boy Matty Baxter Deputy Head Boy Carrickfergus Grammar has given me countless opportunities that I am so thankful for Outside of the great teaching in the classroom I have had the privilege to take part in work experience in a variety of sectors However my favourite memory would have to be going on rugby tour to Portugal in Year 12 I have made so many friends through rugby and I couldn t have asked for a better experience away with them One of the things I will take away from the 7 years of being at Carrickfergus Grammar school is how selfless and helpful all of the teachers are spending a little extra time with you after class if necessary or at one of the many subject clinics held after school This has made my time at school a much more enjoyable experience and I am very thankful for that Page 27

Year 8 Welcome Booklet 2020-2021

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