‘occasiones non factum te create eos’

Welcome from miss Eggison– Head of Year 7

A very warm welcome to Year 7. My name is Miss Eggison, and I have the privilege of leading Year 7 through one of the most important transitions in their school journey at St John Henry Newman Catholic School. Moving from primary to secondary school is a significant step, bringing new routines, new subjects, new friendships and greater independence. My priority is to ensure that every student feels welcomed, supported and confident as they begin this exciting new chapter.

At the heart of our year group is a dedicated and caring team of tutors. They provide the first layer of pastoral support each morning and play an important role in helping students settle into life at secondary school. Tutors get to know their students well, celebrate their successes and provide guidance when challenges arise. Alongside the wider pastoral team, they help ensure that every student feels known, valued and supported throughout Year 7.

The transition into secondary school is about much more than finding classrooms and learning a new timetable. It is about establishing the habits and attitudes that will shape a student’s experience throughout their time at St John Henry Newman. From the very beginning, we place great importance on attendance, punctuality, correct uniform, being fully equipped and arriving at lessons ready to learn. These expectations are not simply rules; they are the foundations that help students develop independence, responsibility and pride in themselves and their school.

Respect is central to my approach as Head of Year. Our Year 7 identity is built around one simple idea: we are one year group and one family. I expect students to show respect for themselves, for each other, for staff and for our wider school community. We celebrate each other’s successes, support one another when things are difficult and recognise that kindness, respect and consideration should underpin everything we do.

Beyond the classroom, Year 7 students are encouraged to become fully involved in school life. There are many opportunities to participate in sports, music, clubs, faith-based activities and wider enrichment. Taking part in these experiences allows students to discover new interests, build friendships and develop important skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience. As students grow in confidence, they will also be encouraged to take on positions of responsibility and leadership within the year group and wider school community, helping them to develop their voice, contribute positively and become role models for others.

The pastoral programme at St John Henry Newman Catholic School enables all students to develop Personally, Socially, Emotionally and Spiritually. During our tutor time each morning, all students will access their PSHE curriculum, participate in discussion based activities through out ‘Talking Points’, engage in continual reflection regarding their attendance and behaviour and have access to high quality careers information, advice and guidance.

At St John Henry Newman Catholic School, we are passionate about developing the whole child and ensuring that they are aware of the wider world around them. Our pastoral programme is designed in a manner that deepens our students understanding of how to keep themselves safe not only emotionally and physically but also virtually. Our students complete work in their pastoral books, which allows them to keep a record of all the important topics they cover and also refer back to it when they complete their PSHE assessments.

Year 7 is also about building confidence and independence. Students are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own organisation, learning and behaviour, while knowing that support is always available when they need it. Mistakes will happen as students learn and grow, but what matters is how they respond, reflect and move forward.

My approach is supportive, fair and consistent. I want every student to know that there are adults in school who will listen, help and encourage them, while also understanding that high expectations will always remain. I believe that when students feel supported but are also challenged to meet clear standards, they are given the best opportunity to thrive.

Having recently led a Year 11 cohort through to their GCSEs, I have seen first-hand how the habits students build throughout secondary school can shape their eventual success. The journey to Year 11 does not begin in Year 10 or Year 11; it begins in Year 7. The routines, resilience, attitude and confidence students develop now will provide the foundations for everything that follows.

The year ahead will be an important one for our students as they become increasingly confident in navigating secondary school life. They will build new friendships, experience new subjects, take on greater responsibility and begin to discover their own strengths and interests. My hope is that by the end of Year 7, every student feels secure in their place within our school community and proud of how far they have come.

As Head of Year 7, my ambition for all students within my year group is that they enjoy coming to school, feel safe and valued, build positive relationships and develop a genuine sense of pride in being part of St John Henry Newman Catholic School. I want every student to embrace the opportunities available to them, learn from challenges and grow in confidence, independence and resilience. Ultimately, I want our students to become respectful, successful young people who recognise their own potential and understand the positive contribution they can make to our school community.

Above all, I want Year 7 to become a year group that looks after one another and recognises that we are one family. Every student has an important part to play in creating the culture of our year group, and by working together with students, parents, carers and staff, I am confident that we can make Year 7 a positive and memorable beginning to their journey at St John Henry Newman.

As Head of Year 7, I am incredibly proud to lead them at the start of this journey and look forward to watching each student grow, develop and become the very best version of themselves.