When your daughter comes to Wimbledon High School, she joins a vibrant and busy community: there is so much to do, to see and to learn, especially in the first few days.
What happens at the start of the school year in Year 7?
We believe that although she will no doubt be very excited about her new laptop, it is far from being the most important thing for her to deal with in the first week or so.
All pupils will take part in a BYOD induction. This may not happen immediately at the start of term - we like to settle the girls in to school life without too much tech, wherever possible. We'll be in touch with more information on this nearer the time.
You daughter will have introductory sessions covering the following topics:
- Our IT and BYOD Acceptable Use Policies, Digital & Tech Etiquette
- Login details and the essential school IT systems, including signing up for clubs and sport
- Introduction to using Windows
- Introduction to essential Microsoft Office for Education apps
- BYOD – accessing the School Wi-Fi network, setting up Microsoft Office apps and accessing School email
- Using Teams and OneNote for lessons and learning
We believe this approach sets the right tone for your daughter’s school career – that BYOD is a helpful tool for learning, but certainly not an end in itself.
What happens at the start of the school year in Years 8-12?
It’s really important that we enable your daughter to be ready to use her laptop from the very start of term. We’ll be running a session on the New Pupil Induction Day for new students in Years 8-12 to be introduced to our school computer systems, our Digital & Tech Etiquette. We will then ensure that all student laptops connect to the school Wi-Fi network, that the girls have downloaded Microsoft Office and know how to use Teams and OneNote Notebooks.
What help is available?
Your daughter will have several induction sessions by mid-September. Rachel Evans, the Director of Digital Learning & Innovation leads these sessions alongside experienced teachers and form tutors, and the IT Support Team.
During the first weeks of term there will be scheduled drop-in help sessions at breaktime and lunchtime for any pupils who need some troubleshooting, additional help or just a confidence boost. We’ll give the pupils the details of these sessions on their first day and they will be posted in all form rooms and on the Year 7 locker room doors.
Parents are welcome to email us with any queries: if it’s a technical matter we may pass you on to our very capable IT Support Team. Mrs Evans will also be available at the Year 7 Welcome Evening. Please use the digital@wim.gdst.net email address.