Each year we welcome a large number of girls to St. Helen’s who join Senior School from a variety of schools.
We invite all girls who are joining Year 7 to a Welcome Evening in June where they have the opportunity to meet their tutor and new classmates. The tutor group at St. Helen’s is at the heart of our pastoral system and we take care to ensure that there are girls in each tutor group from a similar geographic area or with similar interests, as these are often the basis of new friendships.
During the summer, we offer an email buddy facility that enables girls to get in touch with one of our Year 9 students to discuss anything they would like to know.
Just before the start of the Autumn Term in September, we hold an induction day for all Year 7 girls. The girls use this day to start to get to know their way around the school and to make new friends by taking part in a number of fun and informal activities in small groups.
All Year 7 girls participate in the residential weekend which takes place within four weeks of the start of the Autumn Term. This is an integral part of our induction programme and there is no additional charge for this weekend: it provides a great opportunity for the girls to get to know one another through involvement in a whole range of team-building activities.
There is always a friendly face available to point girls in the right direction or to answer any questions. We also have a Sixth Form prefect whose particular responsibility is for Year 7 and who can offer advice and support.
We are also joined by new pupils who join the school in the Sixth Form, and they enjoy an induction programme and the particular support of one of the Deputy Heads of Sixth Form.