My DD is just finishing year 8, the years seem to fly by!
In all the welcome assemblies, parents are reminded and girls encouraged to take on extra curricular - non-academic - activities. Extra academic work in holidays is considered unnecessary and frowned upon: the school wants to minimise the pressure on our young ladies and allow them to enjoy their life!
During term time, especially the autumn term of year 7, everything seemed very hectic. There were lots of opportunities to join in with concerts, performances, house activities - all of which help the girls to get to know each other and integrate into the school community. It felt very full on, but also very welcoming and enjoyable. You can do as much or as little as you want but most girls in year 7 seemed to want to join in.
Lots of clubs to try out, many during lunch time which again adds to the sense of hectic-ness (long lunch queues in the canteen, club to get to, eating lunch to squeeze in).
If your daughter can organise her time well, the homework is very manageable (try to get it done on the day it is set, rather than the night before it's due in). And absolutely no homework during the holidays. Very nice.
My only criticism is that drama was dropped in year 8 (probably to make room for Latin and the second MFL). Personally I think my DD would have benefited from doing more drama (and less RE, but that's another thread...)
We had Mr Bryce too, there should be a Mr Bryce appreciation thread! He was very good with his form and the maths group.
Tinkers might be hinting at one particular teacher who is infamous for disliking year 7s... They will never give top marks in their subject, is quite shouty in class but is supposed to be actually quite nice to the girls once they're beyond year 7 (have I guessed correctly, Tinkers?)
Have you joined the KPS? We found it a real advantage especially in the first year because they helped to organise several social events for the girls and parents to get to know each other. It was reassuring to at least be on recognising / nodding terms with other families as the girls made friends throughout the year. I believe they usually do an end of summer / pre-start of term picnic.
Also, they will distribute a list of names, emails and addresses etc. for those who sign up so you can always arrange meet ups / travel to school with anyone living near you. As well as well as being a handy way of asking everyone if they have found your daughter's lost PE skort later in the year! (Bound to happen at some point!
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