Is there anything my child can do to prepare for their next steps into secondary school? 

We understand that it can be a big transition when travelling to secondary school. We therefore suggest that over the summer you and your child practice travelling to and from the school site (Hendon Street, London SE10 0NF).  

Check which bus routes are nearest to your home and the school.  

Please apply for a Zip Oyster photocard if your child will be using public transport to come to and from school. Click here to visit TFL 11-15 Zip Oyster photocards.  

Please note there are no facilities for parental parking on the school site or near the main entrance. The area can get congested, and we therefore recommend that your child takes public transport, walking or cycling to school every day.  

We do have bike racks available, should your child wish to cycle and leave their bike. Please ensure that your child has a durable padlock and that they have passed their cycling proficiency. Your child will also need to wear a bicycle helmet when cycling to and from school.  

One of the best ways to prepare for secondary school over the summer is to make the most of some of the free museums, art galleries and other interesting places in London! You could visit the Egyptian mummies at the British Museum, see the spacecraft at the Science Museum or experience the trenches at the Imperial War Museum. We will also be providing your child with a holiday work pack.  

Your child should also continue to read and exercise for pleasure. There are holiday reading lists and exercise suggestions on our website.  

As part of the government’s initiative, we highly recommend that students try to learn their 2-12 times tables off by heart.  

It may be useful to sit with your child and watch this transition video:

We will also be sending home a Pupil Passport on the induction day; your child should complete this over the summer holidays. 

Uniform – refer to our school website for specific uniform related questions and our full school uniform policy.  

Our school uniform provider is Khalsa school wear.  https://khalsaschoolwear.co.uk/ 

Khalsa Schoolwear will be holding a pop-up shop on site on 25^th July 2025 from 11am to 3pm.  

Please note the following:  

An outdoor coat must be a single colour with no designer features.  

Shoes must be black hard-wearing leather/ leather-like material (canvas or black sports shoes are not acceptable).  

Please note that if your child comes into school not wearing their school shoes, they will be required to wear shoes that the school will provide.  

The only items of jewellery allowed are a watch and a pair of small stud earrings.

*All prices are correct at time of print, but might be subject to change thereafter (March 2025)*

What items of equipment will my child need to bring to school?  

All students must bring a reasonable sized school bag which can hold A4 books, a sports kit and pencil case (including black/blue/green pens, pencils, colouring pencils, pencil sharpener, ruler, eraser, angle measurer, USB memory stick and preferably a scientific calculator) and reading book.  

We encourage every child to have their own water bottle. 

This basic equipment is required for every lesson.  

How do I know if my child has been set homework?  

The school subscribes to Satchel, and you will be given a student and parent login.  https://www.satchelone.com/ 

Please note that homework will never be set to be completed over one night, and a homework club will run for those who wish to complete their work in school or ask for additional support. 

Can my child bring a mobile phone to school?  

Your child is permitted to bring a mobile phone into school; however the mobile phone is the responsibility of the student. It should be switched off and in their bag as soon as they enter the school site.  

If your child's mobile phone is seen or heard at any time in the school grounds, it will be confiscated (unless your child has been instructed to use the phone by a member of staff). This may result in the phone being confiscated for the remainder of the week.  

Parents are requested not to contact students by phone call or text during the school day.  

What school information system do you use? 

We use Arbor, which is a simple, smart, and cloud-based MIS (Management Information System). We send most of our communications via Arbor and it allows us to keep you informed about your child’s life at school in an accessible way.  

In the summer you will receive an email from us with instructions about how to log into the Arbor App and Arbor Parental Portal.  

From the Arbor App or Parental Portal, you will be able to see your child's up-to-date information, get live updates and make payments or bookings on the go! The Parent Portal works on Google Chrome (computer or laptop), and you can download the Arbor App from the App Store or Google Play Store on your phone (Android 5.0; iOS 10.0 and upwards). 

How will I know if my child has received a reward or consequence?  

• For more information, please refer to the Behaviour Policy which is available on the school website.  

• Rewards and consequences are recorded on Arbor our School Management Information System. 

How do I let you know if my child is off sick or unable to attend school? 

If your child is sick or unable to attend school for any reason - you must contact the school every day that they do not attend before 8.30am.  

You can notify the school of your child’s absence via the school website.  

St Mary Magdalene Absence Reporting (Secondary phase) (office.com) or use the QR code below: 

Please encourage your child to attend daily. We expect your child to achieve attendance of at least 96%. They must also attend on time. Detentions are issued for late to lessons and late to school. Please refer to the school behaviour policy. 

All medical appointments should, where possible, be made outside of school hours or if this is not possible, either at the start (after morning registration so that they receive an attendance mark, or at the end of the day after afternoon registration).  

You will be required to provide the school with a copy of an appointment card/letter from your Dr/Dentist/Consultant /Hospital. Please email evidence to: medicalsecondary@koinoniafederation.com 

We do not authorise holidays during term time. If you are required to take your child out of school in an emergency, you must notify the school of this prior to removing your child and complete a ‘Leave of Absence Form’ available from our school office. 

At SMM, we believe that learning outside the classroom significantly enriches the educational experience within. Our co-curricular program is designed to expose students to a diverse range of subjects, encouraging them to stretch beyond their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. 

Our co-curriculum aims to foster leadership skills while also emphasising the importance of being a productive team member. Through these activities, students not only gain educational benefits but also develop essential cultural capital, teamwork abilities, and skills vital for life beyond compulsory education. 

To achieve this, SMM students actively engage with both the local and international communities and participate in traditional school activities. This holistic approach ensures that our students are well-prepared for the future, equipped with the knowledge and experiences needed to thrive in a global society. 

The Student Zone on our school website will always display the Co-Curriculum Timetable, this will be updated every half-term.  

Who do I contact if I want to discuss an issue regarding my child?  

The first point of contact is your child’s family group tutor. They will be able to answer your questions or point you in the direction of the correct member of staff.  

We do not give out staff email addresses, however you can email or call the school office; relevant contact details can be found on the school’s website.  

If you have spoken with your child’s family group tutor and have not managed to find a resolution, you might like to speak to your child’s Head of Year.  

In the case where you feel it is a serious incident/concern, you can speak to the Assistant Principals, Vice Principals, or the Co-Heads of School. 

Please ensure you inform us of any changes in contact information, such as telephone, email address and postal address.

You can update your details via Arbor.  

Proof of address will be required to change the address for your child. 

We will only change a child’s name with a legal deed poll change document. 

Useful email addresses: