Welcome to Year 7 from Mrs Alvarado, Director of Learning
The Year 7 Pastoral Team has the enthusiasm for, and the commitment to, the pastoral, spiritual and academic welfare of pupils students at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School. As a Year Team we ensure that we consistently and continually instill high expectations. Academic progress and contributions to school life and the wider school community have equal importance, thus enabling pupils to achieve their full potential in all areas.
A Year 7 Mass takes place at St Oswalds in order to welcome all pupils and their families to the St Edmund Arrowsmith family and community. In preparation for this event, Retreat Days at Our Lady’s Church Hall take place and pupils learn about the ethos of the school and how to make it a better place. Pupils also learn about making new friends and have the opportunity to get to know their forms and their form teacher better, thus growing in confidence and developing lifelong friendships!
Year 7 pupils are not only welcomed to the St Edmund Arrowsmith Community but also the wider community. Pupils participate in an Ecumenical Service with Byrchall High School. The theme of the Service is 'Gifts and Talents' and pupils have the opportunity to share their ‘Gifts and Talents’, reminding pupils that we are all special and individual in our own way.
In Year 7 there are a wide range of extra-curricular activities in a variety of curriculum areas available to pupils. Pupils have the opportunity to join; Choir, Boys Choir, IMPACT, The BBC School Report Team and Sports Teams such as; Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Dance. Pupils also have the opportunity to take part in Music Lessons, The Spelling Bee, The Big Book Quiz, The UK Maths Challenge and Interhouse Sporting Competitions such as Football and Hockey. A Peer Mentoring scheme is also available to pupils in order to facilitate the transition from Primary School. All of the aforementioned activities allow pupils to develop into well rounded individuals and also provide opportunities to develop relationships with others.
Pupils participate in Collective Worship on weekly basis in the form of an Assembly, pupils also have the opportunity to lead the assemblies as a form group throughout the year. During Assembly a wide range of topics are covered and the successes of the year group are shared.
During Form Time pupils have the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills, pupils are encouraged to keep up to date with current affairs and are even involved in the presentation of the weekly news in order to develop their oracy skills. This is consolidated with a weekly Current Affairs Quiz which maintains a healthy competition across the year group! Pupils are encouraged to read during form time and pupils visit the library as a form group on a half termly basis in order to develop their literacy skills. The library is extremely well attended every day and pupils have the opportunity to participate in Reading Challenges at a Bronze, Silver and Gold Level. There are also topical quizzes and competitions throughout the year such as Christmas and Halloween!
