We hope you are all keeping safe and well and everyone had a good, if different, summer break. We would like to invite you to join us at 9:30 am on Wednesday 25th August , your son’s first day in Beneavin De La Salle College. We will invite you and your son into our hall with half of the 1st year group following social distancing guidelines. Currently, face masks must be worn in every secondary school so we ask that your son wears a mask into the building at all times and has at least two spare masks with him. We also ask that all in your group wear facemasks. If you have been out of the country we are advised to remind you to check the quarantine period required before returning to school. This is for everyone’s safety. We are so looking forward to welcoming your son into the school – traditionally, we would have tea and cake on the first day for the whole family and we look forward to when we can do that again.
Wednesday will give you a chance to come into the school with your son and meet us and take a few photos of his first day. We understand that this is a special day. The boys will head off to class at about 9:40. We have put a lot of planning into the first week for the new first years – we have a transition programme called Belonging Plus where we will introduce your son to our school very carefully. We intend to spend the first week and beyond supporting him to settle into the new school, new timetable, new teachers, new books. We know that he will be a little nervous and we will mind him and make sure he settles in well. He will finish at 11:30. He does not need to bring any food as he will get a snack here in school.
We were not able to have an assessment for any first year this year because of COVID and so we intend to hold these assessments on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th – we have to half the first year groups to ensure social distancing. We have written out to you to explain exactly when your son is in to do the assessment.
Please try to assure your son that the assessment is nothing to worry about. It provides us with information about the stage that he is now at so we can make sure we give him the very best education. The classes are mixed ability anyhow so it has no bearing on what class he gets into. Our learning support team will support all of the students who need support in the different classes. He should not be worried about passing or failing – just doing his best. Again he does not need to bring food as a snack will be provided.
Please make sure your son is in full school uniform for his first day, including all-black footwear. All items of uniforms that we provide ( jackets/jumpers/ties/sports tops) can be ordered and collected next week (from Monday 16th to Friday 20th) between 10am and 2pm.
Please purchase the school uniform etc before the 25th August. These items will not be on sale on the morning of 25th August. He will get his journal and books from his tutor in the first few days.
Your son will need a school bag for his first day. He will need stationery, such as pens, pencils etc. Please make sure your son has a book in his bag that he would like to read for pleasure over the week. This does not have to be a school book. Any book that interests your son is good. We encourage our students to read for pleasure. Teachers will give some time to their class to read their book during class time throughout the Belonging Plus programme, and throughout the year.