Starting any new school is a daunting prospect. To put your minds at rest, we thought we would ask our current Year 7 students to write an open letter to prospective new Pentrehafod pupils. Here’s what they had to say:
To Year 6 ,
My expectations for transitioning were biased as my older twin sisters had attended that school before me. They had described the new school to me many times, so I had a good idea what it was going to be like!
The reality of starting in year 7 was that we had gone from being the biggest in Burlais, to the smallest in Pentre, but we were not alone, the teachers helped us to acclimatise to our new educational environment, which made it easy.
The Transitional weeks from Burlais helped us to get used to the layout of the school and meet the teachers, who would be helping us throughout the next five years.
In Summary, this year has been difficult for all of us, and I wish you all the best for your move up to Pentre.
Ella Sulsh (year 7)
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Dear Year 6,
Moving from year 6 to year 7 is a big jump, but it is exciting due to all the new teachers, people and subjects that you get to know and learn about. You are probably feeling nervous about going to comprehensive school however it is better because you have more freedom, interesting things to learn and different languages. It’s really fun! In year 6 I was very nervous but when I got there I realised I was worrying for nothing because I settled in really quickly.
I made lots of new friends quickly and liked moving around the school to different classes instead of just being in one room and having different teachers for different subjects.
One of my favourite lessons is P.E because we do different sports every term like rugby and football on the 3G pitch.
Also in Science we get to do different experiments in chemistry.
Hope you enjoy and don’t worry be happy.
From
Ashton Avo
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Hello Year 6,
I hope you are all well, my name is Hannah I’m writing to tell you about Pentrehafod comprehensive school. Soon you will make the next big step in your life, going to secondary school. You have absolutely nothing to worry about, hopefully this letter will help you through the transition from year 6 to year 7.
When I moved to Pentrehafod I was really nervous I thought I would get lost, be put in to a class with no-one I knew and worried how hard the work would be. But all that disappeared as soon as I entered the school gates I was greeted by teachers who were so welcoming and supportive they eased all my fears.
You will be put in to form classes with at least 1 other person from your old school, you get to meet all the teachers and a group tour of the school don’t worry about getting lost after a week or 2 you will get the hang of it but everyone will help you if you get stuck.
In year 7 you have 5 lessons every day with 20 minute break and a 30 minute lunch. There is a canteen so you can buy hot or cold food, the canteen does not take money but u set up an account and pay for your food by fingerprint or pin.
The school work is quite a bit different to what I was use to but I’m having so much fun learning new languages, skills and bringing out my creativity I don’t worry any more. Even during this awful pandemic Pentrehaford have helped so much, we’ve still managed to have a bit of fun we have still had cooking classes and making phone holders covid won’t stop us from learning and Pentrehafod have made sure of this.
Looking forward to meeting you all in September, don’t let the nerves get a better of you the school website has lots of information on there to help you prepare and to let you know about your uniform and equipment that you will need to start a successful year 7. Make sure you have a good night sleep, make sure you have pack your bag with correct equipment, don’t forget the teachers all want to help you as they all believe in you. But most of all have fun .
Hannah Hixson 7.3
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Dear Year, 6,
I wanted to write this mini letter to you to tell you about my transition experience at Pentrehafod Comprehensive school. I went to Brynhyfryd Primary school, I really enjoyed my time there, however when it was time to transition, I was really nervous. I was worried about moving up to Year 7 especially when I was unable to have a transition week, due to the current pandemic. Anyway, let’s not worry about that.
When I first arrived at the school it looked big and scary, but then I walked in and I had a huge feeling of positivity from all the teachers, everyone was really kind and welcoming. After the first time walking in and seeing the school, I was much calmer and then I was excited to start my new journey. What I really wanted to show in this message was that there is no need to worry or be nervous because Pentrehafod is a lovely school and all the teachers are really kind and are always there to help. Also, something I wanted to mention is that when you arrive to school if you do just feel worried or need to talk to a teacher there is a room called Pawb and there are some lovely teachers there too that you can talk to and who always listen and help you.
As well as the above there are some fun subjects in school, you do have a different teacher for each subject and may not be in the same class as your friends, but I was able to see my friends from primary and I also made some new friends. Overall, the experience has been great, even though I was nervous. I really enjoy having different teachers for different subjects. However, I will say at the beginning of the year I got lost, I needed to ask few different teachers where my classrooms were, and they were always willing to help. Other than that, I think you will really enjoy your time at Pentrehafod it is a fantastic school and there is nothing to be afraid of.
Most importantly be yourself and enjoy the experiences that the school offers.
Stay safe and see you in September
Jessie-May 7.7
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Hello
My name is Leo, Pentrehafod School has still been very educational, and I would thank all my teachers for that.
I wouldn’t have been where I am without them they have shown me life skills that are impressive in so many ways.
When we go outside for break it is like heaven, I have never seen yards this big if I’m honest with you, I don’t think anyone has.
I’m so far ahead in life now I feel older than I actually am. My feeling for school honestly I love coming to school not just to meet my friends. But to learn new skills in life.
Without school I don’t know where I would be right now.
Thank you for reading.
Yours sincerely
Leo
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Dear Year 6’s
It is a bit nerve-wracking to be leaving primary and starting in a new school with much older kids. I know because I was feeling like that this time last year. But starting in Pentrehafod was not as scary as I thought it would have been.
It is very different to primary school but in lots of good ways. It seems daunting at first because there are so many more kids and the school is much bigger. I thought I would get lost all of the time! Especially because we didn’t have any transitions days because of the lockdown. But when we started, we had a tour of the school which was really helpful, and it was surprising how quickly we got used to finding out way around. And if you get lost, the teachers and older kids will help you to get to the right classroom.
I was also worried about not being in a class with any of my friends from primary. But the teachers at Pentrehafod make sure that you will be in a class with at least one or two of your friends from primary. You will also make lots of new friends who went to other primary schools.
Another good thing about starting in Pentrehafod is that you get to learn lots of different subjects. It’s not the same as just sitting in one classroom in primary school. You go to different classrooms with different teachers. PE lessons are better than in primary school, and you will start to learn Spanish, have drama and music lessons, and learn about product design or food and nutrition.
Obviously, year 7 for us this year has been a bit different because we’ve been home learning for some of it, but I still feel settled in Pentrehafod and a part of the school.
I hope you’re looking forward to joining us in September.
Oliver Hammond
Year 7.2
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