What to expect: starting at William Brookes School
We have five words that may sum up how you feel before you start here. They are, in no particular order: nervous, scared, worried, anxious and excited. Sometimes it is hard to tell if we are nervous or excited, as they feel so similar. You will probably feel both. You should feel excited. However, you do not need to feel too worried. William Brookes School offers all the support you will need to help you settle in and adjust to going to school here.

First Day
On your first day you have the school all to yourselves (well almost) you still have to share it with some year 10's called mentors (only in school to help you) and year 12's. You will be helped throughout the day by the year 10 mentors who will show you where your classrooms are, how to solve logical problems in your math lessons and the important medical properties of Greater Knapweed flowers (OK, so the last bit isn't true, but the rest is).

"On my first day I wasn't worried because I knew it would just be year 7, year 12 and year 10 mentors at school so we could get to classes quickly and wouldn't have to worry about getting picked on."

Some of you will be excited about using the school bus after having walked to school or being driven in, and some of you may break into a nervous sweat before you even get to the bus stop.

"On my first day I was a bit anxious about getting on the bus. It wasn't as bad as I had imagined it, so now I have overcome my fear."

In addition, you may worry that you'll miss the bus. There are many ways to avoid this. Getting to the bus stop on time usually helps or even better aim to get there a little early (you can chat to friends or check your understanding of the 9 times table). At the end of your first day, after you've sampled your first taste of the new school dinners, met your new teachers, laughed, learnt how to find your way to distant classrooms and made new friends you should give yourself a pat on the back. You have just managed the scary part. This first day is often the most nerve-wracking, partly because most of us fear the things that aren't familiar.

Second Day
On the second day years 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 return, so the school may feel busier than it did the day before. This may take some adjusting to and a few year 7's have found the second day harder to cope with than the first:

"On the second day I felt a little pushed around because I was small, and I kept getting lost. This carried on throughout most of the week."

In the unlikely event of you feeling bullied, picked on or teased unkindly, please let someone know. also if you are lost or unsure of where you're going ask a member of staff or an older student. The people in reception are especially helpful. If possible, find out who you have some of your classes with and walk with them. Although finding your way around the school might feel tricky at first, soon enough you will be telling other people which room is which and you will feel more confident about making your way around the school.

First Week
"The first week was a complete blur! People were telling you what to do and where to go. After the first month things became a lot, lot calmer."

Hopefully, by the end of the first week you will already be settling into a routine and feeling completely different to how you did on Tuesday, when you took your first step onto and off the school bus.

"I started my first week very worried and not at all confident. I was worried about almost everything. As the days went on I managed to dispel some of these worries by enjoying myself and working through my worries about the school."

"Everyday I am still a little bit scared about school, but every day when I take the first step onto the bus I feel excited. My family used to wish me luck before I started, but now I love school, so they don't need to anymore."

SOME OF THE CONCERNS YOU MIGHT HAVE:

Homework
One of the major adjustments you will have to make is having quite a lot more homework than you are used to.

"The first week I seemed to have homework for every lesson and I thought I wouldn't be able to do it all. Soon I was less stressed about homework and I was ready for my next lot of homework. However, it took a few weeks for me to work out how to fit in all my homework."

Making Friends
"I was nervous that I wouldn't make any friends because they wouldn't like me. But, by the second week I had already made good friends with lots of people."

One of the many good things about going to secondary school is that you are more likely to make new friends, as there are more people than there would have been at your primary school.

Bullying
"Before I came I used to think I would get teased, but it was fine."

Some of you may be worried that as Y7s the older students may pick on you or that children from your primary school who were not very nice may also be at this school.
Bullying is repeated behaviour that can make you feel uncomfortable or threatened, irrelevant of whether it is intended or not. There are different sorts of bullying, but the three main types are physical, verbal and emotional. Bullying is always unacceptable. If you feel, at any point that you or someone you know is being bullied then you should talk to a bullying mentor or a member of staff.

ADVICE FROM OTHER STUDENTS:

. Don't worry about getting lost because the teachers expect it and understand.
. Do not panic, there is plenty of help available. This is a friendly school.
. Stay calm if you are having problems. Speak to your form tutor, the people at reception or one of the key stage learning team.
. Have your timetable (in your planner) and map handy so you know where rooms are.
. Do your homework straight away when you get it.
. If you are worried, go to any member of staff or maybe talk to an older student.
. If you think you will get lost, don't worry you will learn the way around after a couple of weeks.
. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you don't understand something.
. Don't worry about feeling nervous, everyone does on their first day!
. I have advice for any up coming year 6/7's: don't be scared it's fun, trust me.
. Try not to loose your locker key!
. Don't worry if you are not in some lesson with your friends, you will soon make new ones.
. To all year sevens, I would like to say, always bring your homework planner and your best attitude to work and lessons.