DearParentsandCarers,
Year9OptionChoicesfor2016-2018
Year9studentsarejustapproachingtheirfirstcrossroadswheretheyneedtomakeimportantandexciting
decisionstoenablethemtopersonalisetheircurriculumandhavesomechoice.
TheYear9optionsprocesshasthreedistinctphasesandrunsfromNovemberthroughtoMarchnextyear.
Phase one is about finding out about the subjects on offer, and which would best match their interests and
aspirationsforthefuture.Thisisanimportantfirstphaseinenablingstudentstomakeinformedchoicesfortheir
subjectchoicesinYears10-11.
Phasetwomovestowardsamorefocusedviewwheretheyareabletodiscusscourseswithseniorstudents,staff
membersandreflectontheirengagementandattainmentinYears7-9.
ThefinalphaseisaboutmakingspecificsubjectchoicesforthetwoyearcoursesinYears10and11.Itisatthis
finalphasethatstudentsandparentscompletetheOptionsChoiceformtorecordchoices.Thereisnovaluein
making choices earlier, as giving students ample thinking time is of paramount importance. Please note that
subjectallocationsarenotgivenona‘firstcome,firstserved’basis.
Wewouldliketoinviteallparentstocometoschoolon:
Thursday1stDecember:OptionsProcessExplained
Venue:TheSpace
Time:18.00to19.00
Purpose: To talk through the options timeline and the support resources available, and to present the subject
choicesofferedatSouthIslandSchoolforstudyinYears10-11.HeadsofHousewillbegintheeveningby
introducingthemselvesandtheHousesysteminYears9-13.Thiswillgiveyoutheopportunitytomeet
theadvisorswhowillbeworkingwithyourchildrenwhowillofferingthembothacademicandpastoral
supportthroughoutthisperiodofchangeandwillcontinueuntilYear13.
Thursday19thJanuary:Year9/11OptionsEvening
Venue:TheSpace
Time:18.00to19.30
Purpose: To talk through the options form submission process, and to meet Heads of Department and senior
studentstoaskanyremainingquestionsaboutcourseoptionsandcoursecontent.
Tuesday24thJanuary:AcademicMonitoringDay
Venue:TheTutorBasesforeachTutorGroup
Time:Individual15minuteappointmentsrunningfrom08.00throughto15.00
Purpose:Togiveaholisticpictureoftheprogresseachstudenthasmade,settargetsforfurtherdevelopment,
andtoansweranyquestionsaroundYear9Optionschoices.
Tuesday7thFebruary:Year9Studentledconsultations
Venue:TheSpace/Atrium/DiplomaCentre/C51-53
Time:16.00to19.00
Purpose: To discuss academic progress in each subject area and to answer questions about Y10-11
Optionschoicesandcourses.
Shouldyouhaveanyfurtherqueriesabouttheoptionsprocess,pleasedonothesitatetocontacteithermyselfor
Mrs.Crouch,Post14Coordinator
Kindregards,
AnnetteChapman
VicePrincipal-