Secondary School Document for New Parents
From ABC Wiki
Information for Parents
School Contacts
Headmaster: J. George Hobson [1]
Head of Secondary: Graeme Keslake [2]
Director of Studies: Judith Shorrocks [3]
Head of 6th Grade: Sally Nieto [4]
Head of 7th and 8th Grade: Magda Valiente [5]
Head of 9th and 10th Grade: Natalia Sol [6]
Telephone: 2241 - 4400 2241 - 4461 (Maritza Lopez – Secondary Section Secretary) Fax: 2228 - 2956 E mail lopez_m@abc.edu.sv
Please contact Maritza before 9 am on the morning if your son or daughter is unwell so we know why s/he is not at school. If you have any problem, please contact us!!
Philosophy and Aims of the A.B.C.
Introduction The Academia Británica Cuscatleca (ABC) is a selective, mixed bi-lingual and bi-cultural school accredited by the Council of International Schools and is an International Baccalaureate World School. The language of instruction throughout the school is English with Spanish being used in a small number of classes. A significant proportion of the staff are recruited from Britain.
The Senior School is managed by the Head of Secondary and the Director of Studies who are assisted by Heads of Department and the Heads of Year. There are approximately 500 students in the Secondary Section divided into the three tribes and four teaching groups.
Each day starts at 7.00 am with a fifteen-minute tutor period to register students and deal with pastoral matters. Students are registered in their tribes but each year from 6 to 8 is also split into four mixed ability teaching groups known as A, B, C and D with up to 20 students per class. These groups are all of similar abilities and study most of their lessons together. Setting according to ability takes place in a small number of subjects such as mathematics and science so we can ensure your child works at the level they need to in order to make progress in these subjects.
The Secondary Section has 25 classrooms, 2 fully-equipped computer laboratories each containing 20 Multimedia PC's with broadband internet links, two class sets of portable lap tops for use in classrooms, 7 well resourced science laboratories, a music room and three seminar rooms, 3 Art and Design rooms equipped with specialist computer design equipment, a lecture theatre with full audio-visual facilities as well as a dedicated Multimedia PC/projection system, a fully equipped Performing Arts centre and a senior library housing a computer-based library system and 20 additional computers with Internet links. The school is about to build a brand new Learning Resource Centre which will offer a range of new and exciting facilities.
In addition the school has a 25m swimming pool, a learning pool, an athletics track and field enclosing a football pitch, basketball and volleyball courts as well as a fully-resourced sports auditorium, a lecture/drama theatre seating just over 100, and a Performing Arts Centre that can seat up to 530. The school campus area covers 13 acres or about 52,000m2.
Academic Programme
The programme of education broadly follows the English National Curriculum (with adaptations for local conditions and requirements.), the Salvadorian Ministry of Education, the IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programmes.
In Grades 6 to 8 all students study English, Maths, Science, Spanish, History, Geography, Art, Technology, Music, French, Computer Studies and Physical Education.
In Grades 9 and 10, students follow a 2 year course leading to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) from the University of Cambridge. As well as studying English Language English Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, Mathematics and Coordinated Science (a double subject), students have the option of studying two of the following: History, Geography, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Art and French. Second language Spanish is offered to international students who are not first language Spanish speakers.
In Grade 11 and 12, students follow the 2 year International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. In addition to studying English, Spanish, Mathematics and a Science, students are able to choose from Psychology, Geography, History, French, Economics, Art & Design, Information Technology in a Global Society, Computer Studies or either a second Science subject or a second Humanities subject. Three subjects are studied at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. Students undertake a Theory of Knowledge Course, write a dissertation, and undertake community service.
Throughout the academic year a student's performance is expressed in the form of a Weighted Average with the maximum mark being 10 based on their performance in Cal assessments. The year is divided into three Cal periods and an Exam Cal. Promotion through the grades requires the attainment of a Weighted Average of 6.5 or more, and other conditions relating to Personal and Work skills details of which can be found in the Student Planner.
In addition to the IGCSE and IB examinations, the school also helps students prepare for the TOEFL, PSAT and SAT examinations. All graduating Salvadorian students also sit the national PAES examination which, together with their studies for IB, allows them to gain the Salvadorian Bachillerato (school leaving certificate).
School Graduates: on average, 60 students graduate from the ABC each academic year. Of these more than 50% graduate with Honours, and the majority obtain the IB Bilingual Diploma, with the remaining students obtaining individual IB subject certificates.
Following graduation many go to study at Universities within the United States, with a small minority to Mexico, the United Kingdom and other European countries, while the remainder enter local Salvadorian Universities. By far the most popular tertiary courses of study are Business-related degrees. In 2006 we have students going to study at Harvard and Yale Universities.
Extra-Curricular Activities
A full programme of extra-curricular activities is offered ranging from sports to the arts. One extra curricular activity is compulsory for all students from Year 6 to Year 9 each Cal. This activity will be on either a Tuesday or Thursday from 1.45 – 3.00. Students sign up for an activity of their choice at the start of each Cal period. Students carrying out a serious outside school activity may be excused but permission must be sought from the Head of Secondary prior to the start of each Cal period. Students participating in the Team Sports programme or in a school production will be exempt from an extra curricular activity.
The school has an appointed Prefect body (including Head Students) and also an elected Student Council. There is an ‘in-house'-produced on-line school magazine. In addition the school actively supports the local community through its many student-led charitable projects. This takes the form of fundraising efforts to actual hands-on work in a range of activities.
Parents Association
All parents are members of the Parents Association, which is represented by an elected committee. The President of the Parents Association Committee is a member of the Board of Governors of the school. The Association fully supports the school and plays an important role between parents, the Board of Governors and the Headmaster.
Madres Enlaces: one mother of a student in each class is designated "Madre Enlace" for the class. The Madres Enlace liaise with class teachers for the organisation of class extracurricular activities, act as a point-of- contact for parents and join together to plan other activities and functions for the school.
Parent Partnership
It is our intention to involve parents as much as possible in the education of your son or daughter. We hold regular meetings and Parent Partnership Evenings and hope you will attend. We send out a weekly newsletter which you can sign up for, or read on the school website, to keep you informed of developments and future events. Individual members of staff may contact you about issues and this will be done by phone, e-mail or through the Student Planner.
Each week we also send home a copy of any points your son or daughter might have been given. Points can be negative or positive. The positive points are Personal Credits (PC) which are used to reward good or better than expected work. Students can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold awards based on the PCs they earn over the year – a record and details can be found in the Student Planner.
The negative points are
B -- unacceptable conduct
W – for a lack of sufficient work in class
H – for a failure to hand in homework
E – for a failure to bring the correct equipment.
If your son or daughter is given an after school detention you will be informed and for more serious offences we have Saturday detentions.
Main Dates Calendar for SY 07/08
The school calendar can be found from the top menu on the school’s website at www.abc.edu.sv
Term 1
Thursday 23rd August 2007 First Day of School
Monday 29th October to Friday 2nd November Half Term Break
Monday 17th September INSET for staff – school closed to students Monday 5th November INSET for staff – school closed to students
Friday 14th December Last Day of Term
Term 2
Monday 7th January 2008 First Day of Term
Friday 8th February and Monday 11th February Half Term Holiday
Friday 14th March Last Day of Term
Term 3 Monday 31st April First Day of Term
Thursday 1st May Labour Day Holiday
Friday 20th June Last Day of the Year
Parents Meetings 07- 08 Term One
Tuesday 28th August - Know Your School Grade 6
Tuesday 4th September - Know Your School Grade 7/8
Thursday 13th September - Know Your School Grade 11
Tuesday 18th September - Know Your School Grade 9
Tuesday 13th November 10th-12th teacher/parents
Monday 3rd December November 6th - 8th teacher/parents
Wednesday 5th December 9th – 11th teacher/parents
Cal. Dates 06-07
6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th 10th, 12th
Cal 1 ends 16th November 24th October
Cal 2 ends 22nd February 25th January
Exam cal 7th April 4th february
Cal 3 ends 11th June start of Ib / IGCSE exams
Secondary School Staff
Headmaster George Hobson
Staff can be contacted via the School Office (2241 4400) for appointments and Staff are normally in school until 3:00 pm
Head of Secondary Graeme Keslake
Director of Studies Judith Shorrocks
Head of Year 11-12 Marc Starr
Head of Year 9-10 Natalia Sol
Head of Year 7-8 Magda Valiente
Head of Year 6 Sally Nieto
Departments Head of Department Teachers
Art and Design Eillen Angulo Ma. Mercedes Escalante Lucilla González
I.C.T Silvia Serano Adolfo Cabrera David Hood
English Simon Cullen Ruth Johnstone Joanne Nicel Sally Nieto Robert MacLachlan Natalia Sol Valerie Brown
French Silvia Escobar David Navaro
Humanities Sarah Travis-Mulford Carlos Cabeza Matthew Eames David Butcher Charlene Isaacs Mark Starr Andrew Murgatroyd Marta Vásquez
Mathematics Karen Welander Karen Bradburn Marek Cole Orlando Hurtado Graeme Keslake Judith Shorrocks Magdalena Valiente
Music Sue Pogson
Physical Education Silvana Winter Eduardo Chandiere Mario Solis Sara Suster
Science Julie Emmerson Walter Arévalo
Luis Argueta
Paul Coffey Russell Fleming Tom Jenner Kevin Healey
Joanna Graham
Spanish Cecilia Galdámez Gladys Granados Julio Landaverde Silvia Sánchez Enna Vassiliou
Please note the ABC Board of Governors does not permit employed staff to give private classes or lessons to students who attend the school.
The Secondary School Day
07:00 to 07:15 Registration 07:15 to 08:00 Period 1 08:00 to 08:45 Period 2 08:45 to 09:30 Period 3 Break 09:50 to 10:35 Period 4 10:35 to 11:20 Period 5 Lunch 12:00 to 12:45 Period 6 12:45 to 13:30 Period 7
Students must be in their registration room when the 7 am bell rings. At the end of the day, students doing Extra Curricular Activities will finish at 3 pm; otherwise students are free to be collected at 1.30 pm. .
Tutors and Heads of Year 07-08
Your son or daughter will have a tutor who registers them each morning and signs their Student Planner each week. If your son or daughter is absent from school you must send a note to the tutor explaining why they were absent. If possible this note should be sent on the day they return. This note is additional to the telephone call which should be made to Maritza Loez the Section secretary before 9 am on a morning your son or daughter is not able to come to school. The tutor will deal with any initial problems your son or daughter has and also delivers Life Skills lessons on a weekly basis. The Head of Years are responsible for the whole Grade and can also be contacted in the event of a problem.
Grade 6 – Mrs. Nieto (nieto_s@abc.edu.sv) Grade 7 and 8 – Mrs. Valiente (valiente_m@abc.edu.sv) Grade 9 and 10 – Mrs. Sol (sol_n@abc.edu.sv) Grade 11 and 12 – Mr. Starr (starr_m@abc.edu.sv)
Grade 6 – 12 Tutors
6 Aztec M. Mercedes Escalante 9 Aztec Robert MacLachlan 12 Inca Russel Fleming 6 Inca Karen Bradburn 9 Inca Jo Nicel 12 Maya Julie Emmerson 6 Maya Walter Arevalo 9 Maya Julio Landaverde 6 Pipils Silvia serrano 10 Aztec Jo Graham 7 Aztec Karen Welander 10 Inca Stuart Gray 7 Incas Paul Coffey 10 Maya Tom Jenner 7 Maya David Navarro 11 Aztec Val Brown 8 Aztec Dave Butcher 11 Inca Lucilla Gonzalez 8 Inca Matthew Eames 11 Maya Gladys Grenados 8 Maya Eduene Munoz 12 Aztec Silvia Sanchez
Student Planners All Secondary students have a Student Planner to help with their organisation and act as a means of communication between school and home. The Planner must be brought to school each day and will be used to record homework and any messages from teachers. Parents need to look at the Student Planner regularly to check homework and sign it at the end of each week.
Homework Homework is set according to the Homework Timetable in the Student Planner. Homework should be done after school in a quiet place. At times your son or daughter may require internet access to complete homework – this can always be done at school between 1.30 and 3.00 in one of our computer laboratories or in the school library. In Grade 6 students will have 2 or 3 subjects per night, each of which should take approximately 30 minutes. This increases gradually as students move through the school so that by Grade 9 students should have 3 subjects per night, each of which should take approximately 40 minutes. Homework must be done sensibly and with pride because it forms an important part of our curriculum. If your son or daughter has problems with any piece of homework and has spent considerable time but has still not finished please write a note to the teacher concerned so we know an attempt has been made.
Required Equipment for all Students Students should bring the equipment listed below to all lessons, unless told otherwise. Teachers and tutors will check that students have these items in their school bags and/or lockers.
General For Art and Technology Swimming Kit Pencil, ruler and eraser Blue or black and a red pen Coloured pencils White Board marker Pair of compasses Protractor Calculator Translating Dictionary Private reading book 3 rounded brushes (small, medium, large) 1 pair of medium squares escale ruler (only Year 8) drawing board mechanical pencil HB 0.5 leads HB 0.5 Girls: swimming suit, swimming cap and sandalls Boys: swimming suit, sandals P.E. Kit: Tribal t-shirt and shorts, Sports shoes Students who do not bring P.E. kit will be required to wear one provided by the school
Uniform and Jewellery Students must wear either their uniform or their P.E. kit at all times during the school day. P.E. uniform cannot be worn to normal classes without permission. Parents of students failing to wear their uniforms with pride will be contacted. It is not acceptable for shirts to be hanging out or ties to be put on as a student walks into school. Hair must be neat and tidy and boys are not allowed long hair.
Girls: Light blue school skirt (no more than 2 inches above the knee), white short-sleeved blouse with school badge (only top button can be undone), red tie, white socks, formal black or navy school shoes. Boys: Navy blue trousers, white short-sleeved shirt with school badge, red tie, black or navy socks, formal black or navy school shoes and a black belt. Top buttons must be done up and ties properly tied
Students may also wear - the school navy blue sweater with red trim - the ABC school P.E. sports jacket - one pair of simple stud earrings (girls only), a bracelet, a wristwatch and a signet ring - no make-up may be worn.
Attendance and Punctuality If your son or daughter is going to be absent please phone the Section Secretary, Maritza Lopez (2241 – 4461 or email, lopez_m@abc.edu.sv) on the morning to inform her. This should be done before 9 am. Please send a note to explain the absence on the same day as your son or daughter returns to school – this note should be given to their tutor. Please note we would like to see a medical note for absences of 3 days or more. If your son or daughter needs to see a doctor please try to make the appointment out of school time. Requests for absence for reasons other than illness should be addressed to the Head of Secondary School in advance of the event (except in an emergency). If permission for absence is not granted by the school then any days missed by the student will be counted as unexcused. Early departure at the end of term (e.g. for holidays) will not normally be accepted for excused absence. Unexcused absences and poor punctuality will have an adverse effect on the Personal Skills Grade. If your son or daughter is unwell at school they will be referred to the school Nurse and if in her opinion they need to go home you will be contacted by telephone and will need to collect your son or daughter. If your son or daughter is going to be late for school please send a note with them to explain the reason for their late arrival. If they arrive after registration (7.15 onwards) they must sign in at the Secondary Office.
School Insurance The School insurance Policy covers students against any accidents and injuries occurring on the school premises or while involved in school sponsored activities. Students traveling on school trips should carry their issued school insurance card with them. Contact Lisette de Castro for more details.
School Shop The School Shop supplies school uniform and other scholastic equipment. It is open in the morning from 7.00 – 8.00 and also from 11.00 – 12.00 and 1 pm to 2 pm. There is also a School Cafeteria which sells soft drinks, water and some hot and cold snacks. It is open during school break times.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency the students will be evacuated from school according to our internal emergency response procedures. In the event of an earthquake or a sudden school closure you will be expected to come to collect your son or daughter.
Failing Conditions and Learning Support We very much hope that your son or daughter will be successful in the Secondary Section but there are some failing conditions which you need to be aware of
A: Failing academically with a CUM of less than 6.5 B: Failing three or more subjects with an academic grade of less than 6.5 C: Failing Work Skills or Personal Skills with a CUM of less than 6.5
Students will be required to leave the school if they are in A and C or B and C.
Students will not be promoted to the next grade if they are failing under condition A. However, they will be allowed to repeat the Grade if they have not failed under any condition since entering the Secondary School. Students may be promoted on probation if they are failing only one of conditions B or C and they have not failed under any condition since entering the Secondary School. Each student who goes forward on probation must not show any failing condition at any time during the probationary year. If a probationary student fails under condition A or B they must join the previous grade or leave the school. If a probationary student fails under condition C they will be required to leave the school. If a probationary student fails at the end of the year or any subsequent year they will be required to leave the school
For students who are at risk of failing we offer the following support:
Our Learning Support teacher Paulina Zacapa is assigned to several classes each week to oversee the development and progress of students who need support A homework club from 1.30 – 3.00 to help with time management and homework. Help from older students as part of our Prefect Mentoring programme
Ministry of Education Requirements: these are as follows.
Students in years 6 to 9 must pass with a minimum of 4.5 in the major subjects and students in years 10 to 12 must pass with a minimum of 5.5. From year 9 onwards, we use the digital portfolio mark for Informática, as not all students do Computer Studies.
Requirements for Graduation: in order to graduate from the A.B.C., a 12th grade student must not have any failing condition (A, B, C or D) at the end of the year and have undertaken the full IB Diploma programme (including CAS and the Extended Essay). Students must also have fulfilled all financial and administrative requirements. Students will graduate with honours with a CUM of 8.00 or more.
Some Important ICT Policies at ABC - Plagiarism Plagiarism occurs when a student puts his/her name to a piece of work that is not his/her own original work, and which is not credited to another source (person, book, article, web site etc) This may be intentional or unintentional on behalf of the student. The following are considered to be acts of plagiarism.
Buying materials from a research service Handing in another person's work with or without that person's knowledge. Copying materials from a source without proper acknowledgment. Translating materials from a source without appropriate documentation. Paraphrasing materials from a source text without appropriate documentation. Copying and acknowledging materials from a source but leaving out quotation marks. Getting help from somone to the extent that the work is not recognisably that of the student
Students must be aware that we consider plagiarism to be completely unacceptable, and work proven to the school's satisfaction will be given a zero, the student will be awarded a B and may fail his/her conduct grade for that subject in the relevant Cal period.
Acceptable Use of Computers at the ABC for Secondary Students The computer system is owned by the school and students are required to sign a copy of the Acceptable Use Policy before being allowed access to the school computer facilities.
All computer/Internet activity should be related to school work. Access should only be made via the authorised account and password, which should not be made available to any other person; The school reserves the right to examine or delete students files that are held on its computer system or to monitor Internet sites visited; Users must respect the right of copyright owners E-mail messages must be polite, and must contain a subject heading; Students wishing to access computers to do school work will have priority over E-mail users; Users MUST NOT open E-mail attachments unless they know the sender to be trustworthy; To avoid wasting paper, files must be print-previewed first and checked before printing. The following activities are not permitted on school computers
Participation in "chat lines" at any time; Posting anonymous messages and forwarding chain letters; Sending E-mails during lessons unless directed by a teacher; Damaging, deleting or altering computer hardware, computer systems, network settings, folders or files; Using another person's password, trespassing in another person's folder, work or file; Accessing, displaying or downloading information or images from the Internet that are offensive, abusive, objectionable or dangerous; Downloading or using any unauthorised programs or files, including files on floppy disk. Printing directly from a web page; Eating or drinking near computer stations.
Students failing to conform to these regulations will face disciplinary action, which may include permanent loss of access to school computer facilities.
