Wednesday 17th September 2014 Year 7 Parents’ Information Morning

General Information * P.E. days are Monday and Tuesday. Please ensure children have their gear. * Punctuality is extremely important. * Homework is given Monday to Thursday. * Reading, phonics and spellings are still important. * Healthy eating is encouraged. * Tin whistle needed on Wednesday.

Literacy Language and literacy will be considered in a holistic way, taking account of Talking and Listening, Reading and Writing which extend across all areas of the curriculum. This year we will focus on handwriting.

Talking & Listening Think about what is being said and language used. Speak confidently for a variety of purposes. Capture interest of audience e.g. gesture and expression.

Reading Read a variety of texts. Nelson, novel & reading scheme. Collins Guided Reading Scheme with related tasks. Analysing and responding to text at appropriate level. Introduce Accelerated Reader on iPADs.

Writing Develop skills in conveying ideas and information for range of purposes. Encourage planning, drafting and evaluating their work. Encourage neat presentation and accurate punctuation in work.

Language and Literacy Literacy is therefore a key to learning as well as a key to enjoyment and personal growth. Northern Ireland Curr.

News Desk Library of online resources related to news topics with pupil tasks in all subject areas. Pupils can share opinions on topics with ‘Have Your Say’.

Mathematics and Numeracy Numeracy is a life skill. Consolidate concepts and encourage them to reflect on their strategies and work. Encourage mental maths and incorporate ICT resources.

Mathematics Number Measures Shape & Space Handling Data Problem Solving

Levelled maths content Practice challenging questions All aspects of maths Formative assessment: it provides feedback

The World Around Us WAU is presented as four inter- related strands that connect learning across Geography, History, Science and Technology.

WAU Topics Wind Victorians Titanic The Famine School Play

Religion Alive-O 7 Old & New Testaments Confirmation Class Retreat RSE (Relationships & Sexuality Education) ‘A Confirmation Year’ Workbook

The Arts Art workshops Carol service & Culture Day Music & Tin whistle Drama Dance

ICT Integrating ICT into the curriculum iPAD and using apps. ICT assessment tasks Make use of facilities at home ing homework as attachments Introduction to Programming with Scratch

Other revised curriculum subjects Personal Development and Mutual Understanding (PDMU). Physical Education. Thinking Skills and personal capabilities.

HOW TO HELP & HOME Encourage your child to establish a homework routine. Check that homework is completed each evening. Ensure that your child reading each week, talk about what they have read. Spend some time each day checking spellings and quick recall of times tables. Show an interest in what your child is doing in school and talk to them in a positive manner. Access online resources to reinforce topics. Keep the teacher informed as necessary of any illness, family issue, medical condition.

Calendar for Year Seven

Term One Mass for 40 th Anniversary Parent teacher meetings October. (Year 7 children only) Bring n’ Buy Sale Carol Service

Term Two Service of Light & Commitment Ceremony School visits and open days Confirmation Retreat Sacrament of Confirmation RSE (Relationships & Sexuality Education) Culture Day

Term Three Year 7 Play Activity Day End of Year Trip Records of Achievement Leavers’ Mass

Transfer Test Top Tips Look back through completed past papers for common question types and recurring topics. Be aware of areas that need further work and access revision materials. Read the question carefully – underline key words as you read. Follow the instructions as they are written. Pay attention to the bold print. Study the passages twice to ensure understanding – read all the information.

Transfer Test Top Tips Work through the test from start to finish then go back to check over answers. Make full use of the time – continue checking until the time is up. Use the working out paper provided. Be positive and calm – prior to the test relax, have an early night and arrive at school in plenty of time.

Thank you for your attention!

Average Scores in school assessments Literacy A D B1 C1 C2

A B1 C1 C2 D