Trinity Academy

A Guide for

First Year Pupils

Respect Ambition Honesty

Welcome to Trinity Academy

I am delighted to welcome you to our school. Trinity Academy is a wonderful school. I am sure you are looking forward to joining and will also have lots of questions and may even be a bit anxious of moving to the big school. By the time you get here in August I will have retired. Before I do, I want to tell you that Trinity Academy is quite simply the best school I have ever worked in. From the minute you walk through our door you will know you are in somewhere special. Teachers and support staff are the best I have ever known and I am certain that you will be supported well in the years to come. We never let an issue become a problem, so enjoy your time here and take advantage of all we offer!

This booklet will help you get to know the school. It is full of useful information about Trinity Academy including:

▪ Our School Values ▪ Pupil Support Team ▪ S1 Classes ▪ School day and your timetable ▪ Finding your way around ▪ Uniform ▪ Clubs ▪ S1 curriculum

We want you to do the best you possibly can and become:

▪ successful learners ▪ confident individuals ▪ responsible citizens ▪ effective contributors

Most of all, we want you to do your best and enjoy your time with us.

Mr B Paterson Head Teacher Trinity Academy

Our School Values

Respect We show consideration and kindness to one another in all

that we do. We are good listeners; we think before we

speak; we are tolerant, well-mannered and polite.

We are a welcoming community, which celebrates diversity and promotes equity. By doing this we ensure the best possible outcomes for everyone.

Ambition We set ourselves challenging targets and support one

another to achieve to our potential. We are determined

to do our best in all that we do. We are supportive of

one another. We encourage and challenge ourselves to

meet our targets and to succeed.

Honesty We are an honest decent school. We behave in a calm, controlled manner, developing resilience to cope with all situations. Honesty means having integrity, being truthful, demonstrating good morals and encouraging the same in others.

A Message from the Pupil Support Team (You will get a chance to “meet” the team later)

At Trinity Academy we have a House System with a Depute Head (DHT) and a Pupil Support Leader (PSL) responsible for each. You will be allocated to a House when you arrive. Each House is recognised by a colour: We hope you will settle quickly into your new routine at Trinity Academy and are looking forward to the challenge of secondary school: new subjects, new teachers, new classmates. At the moment we don’t know what school will be like in August but we will share any new information with you when we have it. We are sure you will have a lot of questions but please read through this booklet and you will get a chance to ask any questions at the end. We are looking forward to getting to know you – and to helping you to make the most of your years with us. Let’s work together to make S1 an excellent year group!

The Pupil Support Team May 2020

ARRAN House (Red)

Depute Head – Mr Campbell

PSL – Mr Robertson

Orkney House (yellow)

Depute Head – Ms Stewart

PSL – Mr MacLeod

Skye House

Depute Head – Mr Todd

PSL – Ms Oliver and Mrs Clarke

Support for Pupils

“Where do I go if I need some help?”

Pupil Support Your Pupil Support Leader will help you to make the best of your time at Trinity Academy by supporting your social, personal and academic development. You will be taught Personal and Social and Education by your Pupil Support Leader.

Support for Learning (SfL)

The SfL department provides support for pupils of all abilities from S1 to S6. We aim to support all young people to reach their potential despite any barriers they may face. Many pupils require support at some point in their school career. We can offer direct tuition for literacy, numeracy and many other subject areas. You might have a SfL teacher in some of your classes, working alongside the subject teacher or you may go to SfL to meet with your SfL teacher. In addition, we have Pupil Support Assistants (PSAs) who support pupils in class as well as individuals and small groups. Remember, we are there to help all pupils do the best they can!

The HUB The Hub supports pupils who are having difficulty in their classes and we also run Breakfast Club, Girl's Group, Boy's Group and Seasons for Growth. We are also always here just for a chat if or when you need that.

Peer Support Mentors (PSMS) Our Peer Support Mentors are friendly, caring, helpful volunteers from S5 and S6. We have approximately 25 PSMs who are identifiable by small yellow pin badges and will be available during morning break time, lunch break and after school in the Peer Support Base. They have received training to help pupils with a range of issues, offer guidance through difficult times or lead them to more sources of help if appropriate. They are committed to ensuring that everyone in school has the support they need.

S1 Classes

“What is a Register Class?”

“How are the classes made up?”

There will be 180 pupils in S1 and we have been gathering information from your teachers to help you settle in well to Trinity Academy and to make the transition from primary to secondary as smooth as possible. The Pupil Support Team make up the new S1 classes and they are all mixed ability. We have pupils coming from 13 different primary schools this year but we do try to have a few pupils from the same primary school in each class so there will be someone you know. There are 20 pupils in each Register class, this class is also your Practical set, eg for subjects such as Art, Drama, Science, Technology etc. Other subjects will have approx. 30 pupils in class. Each Register class is allocated to a House and can be recognised by the first letter of the House.

Arran Orkney Skye 1A1 1A2 1A3

1O1 1O2 1O3

1S1 1S2 1S3

“What will I do if I am unwell or need to leave school?” You will see your Register teacher every morning and in Learning for Success on a Friday. Your Register teacher will check your attendance everyday. If you are going to be absent from school, eg due to sickness or an appointment, your

parent/carer should call the school number and leave a message on the absence line. If you are going to be absent for part of a school day, eg for an appointment, please let your registration teacher know first thing. If you need to leave school, eg for an appointment or you are unwell, you MUST sign out at the office before you leave. Please try to arrive at class on time or your teacher may mark you absent.

“What time do I start school in the morning?”

Your school day at Trinity Academy starts at 8.25 am every morning. The times of the periods and when you have break and lunch are shown below. Monday – Thursday

Mornings

8.25 Warning Bell

8.30 – 8.35 Registration

8.35 – 9.25 Period 1

9.25 – 10.15 Period 2 10.15 – 10.30 Break

10.30 – 11.20 Period 3

11.20 – 12.10 Period 4

12.10 – 13.00 Period 5

Lunch Break

13.00 – 13.40

Afternoons

13.40 – 14.30 Period 6 14.30 – 15.20 Period 7

Friday

Mornings

8.25 Warning Bell

8.30 – 9.00 Period 1 - LFS

9.00 – 9.50 Period 2

9.50 – 10.40 Period 3

10.40 – 10.55 Break 10.55 – 11.45 Period 4

11.45 – 12.35 Period 5

The School Timetable

“What will my timetable look like?”

This is an example of an S1 Timetable. Your day will be split into small blocks of time called PERIODS.

Reg 1 2 Break

3 4 5 Lun

ch

6 7

Monday

Mr Hart E9

Science Ms Jenkins LB52

Spanish Mrs Millar D24

Maths Mr Beard C2

Comp Mr Doherty D2

PE Mr Tearney

English Mrs Latimer B6

Social Subjects Mr West E5

Tuesday

Mr Hart E9

French Ms Brown D19

Social Subjects Ms Rea E5

Business Studies Ms Landels C16

Science Ms Jenkins LB52

Maths Mr Beard C2

English Mrs Latimer B6

Art Mrs Burns F6

Wednesday

Mr Hart E9

Design Tech Mr Reid A36

FCT Ms Anstruther A59

English Mrs Latimer B6

Social Subjects Ms Rea E5

ICT Skills Mr Caldwell D3

Maths Mr Beard C2

Science Ms Jenkins LB52

Thursday

Mr Hart E9

Science Ms Jenkins LB52

PE Mr Tearney

French Ms Brown D19

Drama Mrs Moss B43

English Mrs Latimer B6

Music Ms Milne A47

Maths Mr Beard C2

Friday

Mr Hart E9

LFS Mr Hart E9

PSE Mrs Clarke C20

Maths Mr Beard C2

Social Subjects Mr West E5

RME Mr Mclean D7

Reg = Registration LFS = Learning for Success There is a lot of information in each rectangle on your timetable. The important bits of information you need to know are: the subject you are doing

the name of your teacher

the classroom you go to

French

Mrs Millar

D24

Your Timetable Challenge!

So you think you know about the timetable! Let’s see!

1. How many periods are there in a week?

Answer

2. When does school finish on a Monday?

Answer

3. When does school finish on a Friday?

Answer

4. What time does the warning bell ring in the morning?

Answer

5. When is lunch?

Answer

6. How many periods of English are there each week?

Answer

7. When is Personal & Social Education (PSE)?

Answer

8. On the timetable, is PE before or after break on Thursday?

Answer

9. What subject happens on a Tuesday period 3?

Answer

10. On which floor would you be at 2.00 pm on a Monday?

Answer

Finding Your Way

“What if I get lost trying to find my class?”

Trinity Academy is much bigger than your primary school and you might worry that you will get lost. Relax!

When you first arrive in school, the prefects will help you find your way around school and to your classes. If you get confused or lost, just ask a teacher or a senior pupil to help you – you will soon find you know where all your classes are. However, one or two little tips may help and it is worth trying to remember the following points:

• All the rooms have a letter and a number, for example B5 or D24

• All rooms have the teacher’s name beside the room number

• Rooms on the lower ground floor have the letter A in front of them; rooms on the first floor have the letter B; second floor rooms have the letter C, and so on, all the way up to F

• The office staff will also help you if you lose your timetable or can’t find your class

• We have over 850 pupils at Trinity Academy so the corridors can be very busy. In the corridors and on the stairs you should keep to the left-hand side.

Can you find your way?

1. If you had English which floor would you go to ……………………….

2. Which floor is Biology on? ………………………….

Finding Your Way

This map of the school should help you to get an idea of what the school looks like

Our Uniform

“Can I wear what I like to come to school?”

When you join Trinity Academy you will be expected to wear our uniform, just like the pupils pictured here, and follow our uniform policy:

▪ Black or white shirt, school tie, plain black trousers or skirt and plain black footwear. ▪ Shorts are not acceptable. ▪ If leggings are worn, a skirt must be worn on top.

“Where will I get my uniform from”

We will give all S1 pupils a tie, these are supplied by the Parent Council. Further details about the uniform and where it can be purchased will be put on this section of our website.

PE All pupils should wear a PE uniform to lessons which consists of a white t-shirt, black bottoms and trainers. It is acceptable to wear a jumper/hoodie when taking part in an activity outdoors.

School Clubs

“What else can I do at school? Are there clubs to join?”

There is a huge range of clubs and after school activities for you here at Trinity Academy. Hockey, Rugby, Cricket, Badminton, Basketball and Tennis are some of the sport clubs

available. In addition, there is a large range of music clubs – Keyboard, Wind Band, Rhythm Club, Choir, Orchestra. The list goes on! As if that wasn’t enough to fill your time, there is a Homework Club, a Chess Club, a Debating Group, a STEM Club, a Drama Club, Scripture Union, and an Art Club. Trinity Academy is also a School of Rugby. This gives pupils the opportunity to enhance their skills, techniques, knowledge of the sport and improve their fitness levels with professional coaching from partner agencies. When you start with us we will tell you all about what is on offer to help you decide which clubs and activities you would like to get involved in. Information about clubs will also be announced at assembly and in registration. Here is an example of some of the clubs we offer – lots of sports activities available too.

Getting Started

Here are some questions first year pupils often ask. See if you can select the correct answer from the right-hand column. Q1 When does the school day start? A Attendance is checked and you are given any

information you may need.

Q2 If I lose my timetable, will I get another copy?

B You will have about 16 teachers in the week.

Q3 How many teachers will I have? C The school day starts at 8.25 and you must be in registration by 8.30.

Q4 What happens in registration? D Yes. Trinity Academy is a uniform school.

Q5 Do I have to wear uniform? E You will have regular homework from all subjects. Check the Curriculum File for details.

Q6 What do I do if I have a problem? F You should speak to your Pupil Support Leader if you have any difficulties.

Q7 How much homework will I have? G You should tell your teacher and see the welfare assistant. You must not leave school without permission from a member of staff.

Q8 How can I find out about all the clubs in Trinity Academy?

H At assembly, in Learning for Success & in your homework diary.

Q9 What do I do if I feel unwell at school?

I Yes – you can buy a new copy from the school office.

Healthy Eating

At Trinity Academy we encourage our pupils to think about their health, what they eat and what physical activities they do. Our school canteen offers a selection of dishes which have been analysed to make sure you get all the nutrients you need.

“ Can we bring a packed lunch?” Yes, some pupils choose to bring a packed lunch to school. A healthy packed lunch should contain a mix of foods from the EatWell Plate as no single food contains all the nutrients the body needs to be healthy.

“Can we go to the shops at lunchtime?” We ask for all S1 pupils to stay in the school grounds at break and lunchtime until mid September.

“What about snacks such as crisps, cakes, pastries, sweets and fizzy drinks?” As it is recommended that we only eat these foods occasionally they will not be on sale in school. We would also ask that pupils do not bring fizzy juice cans or bottles into school. These are not allowed in class. More information about food and health can be found on the following websites: www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/eatwellplate www.healthylunch.org.uk

S1 Curriculum File

“What subjects will I have in S1?”

Curriculum Area – Expressive Arts Subject - Art & Design What will you learn? The study of Art and Design is broken up into three main areas of study. Expressive, Design, Art & Design Studies. These are divided further into a range of themes, eg Portraiture, Still Life, Natural Environment, Figure Composition, Jewellery, Fashion. You will work in a variety of media, eg drawing, painting, print making, sculpture, collage, 3 dimensional model making. What will you be expected to do at home? All pupils will keep a sketchbook which they will fill over the course of the year with regular tasks such as drawings and research work on artists and designers.

Curriculum Area – Expressive Arts Subject – Music What will you learn? You will learn to sing and how to play different musical instruments (Keyboard, Guitar, Drum Kit, Ukulele). You will also learn how to read music and learn about different ways to create your own music using music technology software. What will you be expected to do at home? There are small homework tasks throughout S1 music. You will be asked to do research tasks or short music theory tasks to help you practice reading the notes. If you have an instrument at home it would be good to try to practice the music we have been learning in class.

Curriculum Area – Expressive Arts Subject – Drama What will you learn? Drama is essentially broken down into three main areas of study: Creating, Presenting and Evaluating. Within these you will learn voice, movement and characterisation skills as well as social and critical thinking skills. How will you learn? S1 Drama is very much a practical subject and you will be physically active most lessons. You will work both as an individual and as a group. Group work is an essential part of Drama and you will work in a variety of different groupings throughout the year. What will you be expected to do at home? You can be expected to carry out research tasks, eg watch clips or research online, to help inform the work you are doing in class.

Curriculum Area – Language Subject – English

What will you learn?

• How to read for understanding and how to respond to literature and media texts.

• How to develop your own reading for pleasure.

• How to communicate effectively by building your talking and listening skills.

• How to become a more skilful and accurate writer.

• How to create different types of texts: stories, poems, letters, reports, PowerPoint presentations, scripts, film storyboards and posters.

What will you be expected to do at home?

• Regular personal reading and activities based on your reading

• Writing and literacy assignments

• Research: Preparation for either a written or oral task in class

• Solo or group talk preparation

• Research: Preparation for either a written or oral task in class

• Solo or group talk preparation You will also have the opportunity to develop your own particular interests by joining extra-curricular groups run by the department (creative writing group/ theatre visits).

Curriculum Area – Languages Subject – French & Spanish

What will you learn? Great news you get to study 2 languages in S1 – French and Spanish! You will develop your skills of: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking You will cover topics such as, self, family, school, hobbies & pastimes, and home town. You will learn how to understand and use language in real life settings in a fun way through:

• whole class activities,

• group work,

• individual work

• paired role play.

• ICT to help you learn where ever possible. You will perfect your pronunciation, intonation and accent in French and Spanish to impress your friends and family! What you will be expected to do at home?

• You will be issued a log in/password for our on-line homework programme

• The programme has a variety of exercises and activities for you to complete. These are directly connected with the topic you are focusing on in class.

• You will be given a deadline within which to complete a series of activities

• We recommend you engage regularly on a weekly basis approx. 15 mins per week per language.

Curriculum Area – Religious and Moral Education

What will you learn?

• how to recognise religion as an important expression of human experience

• about the beliefs, values and practices of world religions

• viewpoints independent of religion

• to investigate and understand the responses which religious and non-religious views can

offer to questions about the nature and meaning of life

• to develop respect for others and an understanding of different beliefs and practices

This subject is exciting and current.

Throughout core Religious and Moral

Education world religions and new religious

movements are explored. Contrasting

beliefs and practices are constructively

challenged. Arising issues of morality and

ethical conduct are naturally encountered in

this process of exploration.

Curriculum Area – Technologies

Subject – Design and Technology (DT) What will you learn? In DT you will cover a range of core projects in S1. You will be issued a brief (problem) by your teacher and you will use the design process to reach a solution. This will include analysing, researching, designing, planning, manufacturing and evaluating. You will also:

• be taught a range of 2D and 3D graphic techniques

• have the opportunity to develop some computer aided design (CAD) modelling and desktop publishing (DTP) skills.

Extra-curricular groups and competitions are run by the department at various times throughout the year. This allows pupils to engage further in Technical Education subjects and pursue their own interests. A lot of these opportunities are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) related and could, for example, involve robot design, bridge building and engineering challenges, product design challenges and more!

Curriculum Area – Technologies/Health and Wellbeing Subject –Food and Consumer Technology (FCT) What will you learn? In FCT you will complete a range of short projects that cover different aspects of the curriculum. These include:

• Hygiene and Safety

• Healthy Eating; how to use the Eatwell Guide

• Dietary Targets and dietary diseases

• Food Product Development in a design and make food challenge

• Textile Technology and Design, also considering recycling and other environmental issues.

How will you learn? You will complete a series of practical lessons in a kitchen environment and textile room, where you will work independently to develop your skills by making food and fabric items. What will you be expected to do at home? In each project there will be homework to complete between lessons. You will be expected to regularly research, revise and complete homework tasks related to class work. You will also be encouraged to practise your practical skills at home including building up good kitchen routines by washing up – please ask before you cook at home and always clear up afterwards.

Curriculum Area – Technologies Subject - ICT & Computer Science

What will you learn about?

• How to use an online learning environment (GLOW)

• How to create computer graphics

• Games design and creation

• Effective and efficient web searching techniques

• Online safety

• How to use a word processor

• Web design

• Creating computer animations

• Computer Programming and Software Development

How will you learn? Through:

• Whole class teaching

• Playing, reflecting, discussing and writing about computer simulations

• Creating computer software

• Working in groups and individually

What will you be expected to do at home? You will be expected to complete various types of homework, eg work for animation and games creation and revision for class assessments.

Subject – Business Curriculum Area – Business Studies

You will learn about:

• Communications in business such as touch typing, emails and letters.

• Entrepreneurs

• Financial Management and Scams

• Spreadsheets

You will also take part in a Mini Apprentice Christmas project.

What will you be expected to do at home? You will be expected to search for business related news at home and view business related television programmes such as ‘Dragon’s Den’ and the ‘Apprentice’. You will be asked to become aware of entrepreneurs, especially Scottish ones, and may be asked to complete some market research.

Curriculum Area - Health & Well Being Education Subject - Personal, Social & Health Education (PSE) Our PSE programme covers Health and Wellbeing experiences in the curriculum for Excellence. These experiences are:

▪ Mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing ▪ Planning for choices and changes ▪ Substance misuse ▪ Relationships, sexual health and parenthood

What will I learn?

▪ Substance misuse, eg drugs, alcohol, smoking ▪ Personal safety, eg safety in social situations ▪ Planning for choice and change - study skills and careers

education ▪ Relationships ▪ Citizenship, eg rights and responsibilities ▪ Mental, emotional, social & physical wellbeing, eg

bullying, body image, healthy eating ▪ Self-assessment and target setting ▪ Group challenges

All Set?

I hope that this booklet has given you lots of information about Trinity Academy that will help you when you start with us in August.

“I still have some questions to ask. What will I do?”

I am sure you will still have some questions and I am sure that others will have the same questions as you. Please email any questions to the address below and we will put all your questions together to share with all new S1 pupils. kath.stewart@trinity.edin.sch.uk

We look forward to seeing you very soon.