Yr 9 2015 Parent evening

1. Yr 9 2015 Parent evening Things you need to know to make the transition easier…

2. Tonight • These slides are on our website and WGC4me so there is no need to take notes • You will hear from members of the BOT, staff and the 2015 Head Girls • Join us for a drink afterwards and ask questions of our speakers

3. Before the first day… • Subject confirmation and stationery lists will be sent to you before Christmas. Please buy the stationery needed • Buy the uniform from NZ Uniforms, Thorndon Quay • Have a trial run getting to school • Find out who lives near you who is also coming to WGC so your daughter has someone to come with or meet on the way

4. How does my daughter get to school? • http://www.metlink.org.nz/journeyplanner/ • This site will help you find public train and bus routes and details about the school bus routes • Put Wellington Girls’ College in as your destination – some buses stop outside the Murphy St entrance! • Most girls use a Snapper card on the bus

5. The first day… • Yr 9 powhiri 8.45am Friday 30 January. Parents and whanau are warmly invited to be part of this event as we welcome your daughter into the WGC family. You assemble in the Quad – just outside the Hall • Girls need to be here in plenty of time in school uniform. • Bring lunch, a drink and a digital device and/or pen and paper

6. What happens on the first day? • This is an orientation day – no testing or subject classes. It’s a ‘settling in’ day • School will finish at around 3pm • Expect the girls to be tired • Lessons start on the second day – Monday 2 February

7. What are the school hours? • Classes start at 8.45 every day. Girls need to be here by 8.40 • Classes end at 3.20 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday • Classes end at 2.35 on Tuesday • Morning tea is around 10.30 (for 20 mins) • Lunch is around 12.40 (for 50 mins) • Girls will get a timetable on the first day – please note each day is a bit different

8. Structure of the day

9. What are the numbers? • We will have about 1320 domestic students and 60 international students in 2015 • There will be about 280 girls in Yr 9 (numbers are still fluid as more girls move into the zone) • Yr 9 form classes each have about 22 girls • Yr 9 core teaching classes each have about 28 girls • Yr 9 option classes vary between 20-30 depending on student choice

10. What is a form class? • A form class is a pastoral group of about 22 girls • Form classes are ‘balanced’ to try and get a spread of interests, contributing schools, abilities, ethnic backgrounds • There are 12 form classes – 2 per house • If your daughter has a sibling at WGC she will be in the same house as the sibling • Your daughter will stay in the same form class throughout her years at WGC

11. Is the form class the core class? • No • There are 12 form classes and 10 core classes • Core classes are made up of a mixture of girls from a number of form classes • In Yr 9, girls are taught English, Maths, PE, Science & Social Studies in their core class • Please note we do our best to have someone your daughter knows in both her form and core class

12. About the houses… • We have six houses, named after prominent NZ women – Batten, Cooper, Hodgkins, Mansfield, Sheppard & Williams • Each house has a colour as indicated above • Lots of school activities are organised as house events or competitions – ranging from Athletics day (which is on 17 February and is HUGE) to the annual rock, paper, scissors event in assembly. • These events are part of the competition for the house shield which is presented at Prizegiving • All form classes and most staff are linked to a house

13. What support will your daughter have access to? • Tuakana/teina – big sister/little sister; Yr 12 & 13 girls who will help settle them into school and work with the girls during their first year • Form teachers – they will be with your daughter for the next 5 years (or as long as each is at WGC) • Dean – Jenny Wrightgoes through with the year group • Senior Management Team member – Melissa Denzler (AP) – goes through with the year group

14. More support… • She will also be able to work with other people as appropriate…including the Guidance Counsellor, Maori Achievement Advisor, Pasifika Achievement Advisor, Learning Support staff, Gifted & talented advisor, the Homework club, peer tutors, and of course her classroom teachers

15. How to make the most of WGC • Please give us a quick heads’ up when issues arise that might impact on your daughter – this includes things that happen in or out of school • Please check WGC4me and the parent portal regularly to keep up to date with news and key information about Yr 9/WGC. You will be sent information about how to access the portal • Please attend events that relate to your daughter, including parent evenings, sporting and cultural events, year level breakfasts ….

16. And remember… • There is no such thing as a silly question • This is a partnership and we need to work together • We all want the best for your daughters • We do have limited resources and we are a state inner city school so at times there are limits around what we can offer • We are delighted to have you and your daughter join the WGC community