We were delighted to welcome the newest members of the ICHK community to school.

Our new Year 7s completed a three day induction programme, aimed at helping them to settle into school with confidence.

During the programme they were introduced to the thinking behind our Year 7 motto "Happy, confident, intelligent warriors".

It was built around a series of fun but challenging team building activities aligned with our unique Human Technologies, Transitions and Outdoor Education programmes.

The programme was delivered by members of our experienced staff, including teachers, LSAs, members of the Leadership and Outdoors teams. It was carefully planned to minimise any anxiety and stimulate an excitement for learning, and staff were unanimous in their praise of the students' engagement and willingness to give things a go.

During the three days, students enjoyed a scavenger hunt, helping them find their way around campus while getting to know their new classmates. They were introduced to the Transitions curriculum and IT at ICHK. They enjoyed team building activities and a hike, which acted as an introduction to the Year 7 outdoor learning programme.

Students also spent time learning about ‘state management’, understanding the way self-regulation impacts on their own wellbeing, and how they can respond and react to their different emotional states. Over the coming weeks and months they will continue to develop these skills through the year 7 programme.

The key message has been that ICHK is a 'safe-fail' environment and that any emotions they feel are perfectly normal, as they adjust to a new educational setting.

Over the next few weeks, the Year 7s will get to know their teachers better, along with their new classmates, and discover a new curriculum, with many exciting subjects that they will have not encountered before.

We were very impressed by the enthusiasm, confidence and energy levels shown by our new students and we look forward to a productive year ahead.