The teaching staff at St Sophia’s School would like to work together with you to ensure that your child has a positive and memorable learning experience. We consider your child’s safety and well-being to be of the utmost importance and for this reason we would like to draw your attention to the following:

Our mission statement

The aim of the School is to provide once a week education in Greek language, culture, traditions, Orthodox Christianity and Greek history, with a view to encouraging pupils to work towards an eventual GCSE/A-Level in Modern Greek or equivalent. The School is open to all children regardless of origin.

Curriculum

The School is responsible for handing out books to the pupils.

Drop off and pick up

Entrance to school is from the main school gate at the rear of the Church.

Parents drop off their children at the gate and are not be allowed on to the premises. Τhe only exception are the Nursery parents, who will be allowed on site to quickly drop off their children for a settling in period up to October half term. Students are welcome at the gate by two members of our staff and immediately enter the building, where they meet their teachers and go to their classrooms.

The gate opens at 9:15 am and is locked at 9:45 am. Any delayed students have to wait until the break (11:15 am-11:45 am) to enter the school.

Early collection during the school day is by prior arrangement only, in writing to the Form teacher and the Deputy Head ( ailina.gkoratsa@stsophiasschool.com ), and strictly during the break, between 11:15 am and 11:45 am.

At the end of the day early years’ pupils (Nursery – Year 1) are collected promptly between 1:00 pm-1:10 pm from the theatre and older years are collected promptly between 1:15 pm-1:30 pm. Parents of the older children will only be allowed into the area of the playground near the gate at 1:15 pm.

Parents are reminded that all students and parents must have left the premises by 1:30 pm.

The theatre must be vacated by 1:30 pm.

Attendance

School starts at 9.30 am and finishes at 1.15 pm. Parents are responsible for making sure their children attend School regularly and on time, as lateness can be disturbing for children already in class. It should be noted that teachers will not repeat any section of the lesson that has already been taught for the benefit of the students who arrive late. Please note that there is no available parking at the School and around it.

In the interest of children’s safety, especially of those who travel to School alone, it is the parents’ responsibility to notify the School by 9.30 am on the day of absence if a child cannot attend. They can do that by writing to either the Deputy Head or by calling and/or leaving a message on 07500 654 610.

 Uniform

There is no School uniform, but students are expected to attend School in clean and appropriate clothing. At School celebrations students are expected to wear white shirt/blouse and blue trousers/skirt.

Behaviour

We believe that good behaviour and discipline stem from a good partnership between home and School. Pupils are therefore expected to observe the School rules, and parents are expected to support the School in maintaining good behaviour and discipline.

Homework

At St Sophia’s School we recognise the benefits of children undertaking homework activities. As a result, the teacher will assign homework. Parents are requested to support and monitor their children’s work at home.

Lunch

Please note that the School does not provide any lunches or snacks.

 School – Parents Communication

Parents are expected to visit the School’s website regularly in order to be informed of School activities. Occasionally we email parents as well. In case a parent realises that s/he does not receive these emails s/he is kindly requested to inform us on enquiries@stsophiasschoool.com.  Parents are also expected to attend parent consultations to discuss their child’s progress and keep the form teacher informed of any changes at home that might affect the child’s progress.

 Use of mobile phones

The use of mobile phones in NOT permitted inside the school. Should a student need to contact his/her parent/carer s/he should inform the Form Teacher.

Use of images

Occasionally, we may take photographs of the children during a School activity or event, or at break time. We may use these images in our publicity as well as on our website. Ιn order to do that we need your permission. We would therefore very much appreciate if you could let us know if you DO NOT wish your child to appear in the above images by sending an email to enquiries@stsophiasschool.com. Please bear in mind that names are never mentioned and there is no way for a child to be identified.

We look forward to working closely with you to ensure your child is happy in St Sophia’s School.