WELCOME TO

DAME ALICE OWEN’S SCHOOL

CONTENTS

Welcome to Dame Alice Owen’s School

GETTING STARTED

The School Day and Key Dates

Top Tips
Student FAQs
School Uniform
School Expectations
School Meals – Cashless System

OUR COMMUNITY

The Owen’s Way

A Supportive e-Community at Owen’s
Free School Meals

KEY RESOURCES

Library
Computer Network
Welcome to Dame Alice Owen’s School

Dear Students and Parents/Carers

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the special

community which is Dame Alice Owen’s School. We are proud that you
have chosen to join us and we hope you will soon feel part of our school,
enjoy sharing in its traditions and in its hopes for the future. In this booklet
you will find the answers to most of your questions about starting life with
us.

In addition to this booklet, our comprehensive website is an invaluable source

of up to date information including our school policies, rules and
full details of our extra-curricular activities.

We know, from talking to parents of previous new students, that their

children found it easy to settle into the school; we do lots to help!
However if you have any queries prior to arrival, please do not hesitate
to contact Mrs Lofthouse (Pastoral Director for Year 7) or Mrs Jackson
(Pastoral Manager KS3) for help and advice.

We are looking forward to meeting you all and to working together to

ensure your child is as successful and happy as they can be.

Warmest regards

Mrs H Nemko
Headteacher

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GETTING STARTED
The School Day & Key Dates
Top Tips
Student FAQs
School Uniform
School Expectations
School Meals – Cashless System

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The School Day and Key Dates

First day timings Timings of the school day and important dates
The timing of your first day on Tuesday Please be aware that the first week of
5th September is as follows: school is a busy time with new routines and
timetables and that music auditions and sports
8:45am Say goodbye to your parent/carer
trials also take place. You will receive a list of
at the front of the school. Staff and students
all these on your first day at the school.
will be on hand to direct you to the Edward
Guinness Hall where you will meet your
Form Tutor.
9:00am A welcome from the Headteacher,
Mrs Nemko, in assembly.
9:15am Form Time
11:15am Morning Break
11:35am Form Time
12:35pm Lunch The normal school day starts at 8:45am Please note that school ends at 2:45pm
and ends at 3:45pm. All students are on the Friday preceding the half-term
1:20pm Meet your Teaching Group
expected to be in their Form Room by holidays, and at 12:35pm on the last day
3:45pm Home 8:45am (Registration). of each term.
Assembly is from 8:45am to 9:05am.
Please note there will be no school For term dates, please click here.
buses running on this day. There are five 1 hour lessons per day.
There is a morning break of fifteen minutes
and a one hour lunch break.
Lesson times can be found here.

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Top Tips for New Year 7 Students, from those that know – our current Year 7s
Congratulations! You will soon be starting as a Year 7 student at Dame Alice Owen’s.
You will probably be experiencing a whole range of emotions such as excitement, curiosity and
maybe feeling a little anxious! Well we would like to reassure you that there is really nothing to
worry about! We are sure that your time spent at Dame Alice Owen’s will be fantastic!
So, we have come up with some TOP TIPS that will help you to settle into the school and
get you off to a great start in your secondary education. We hope these tips help you as
much as they have helped us! Good luck and see you in September!!!!!
So......here we go......

Take it from us, the present Year 7 students! As we come to the end of our first year
at the school, we thought it would be a good idea to share some of our thoughts and Prefects, teachers and staff at
opinions with you. Dame Alice Owen’s are there to
help. If you have any questions
Never panic, there are or problems, however small, go
people to help and every and speak to them.
problem is manageable
and has a solution if you Get a watch! Punctuality
think it through. is really important. But
Organisation is really don’t use your mobile
important. Get your bag phone, you are not
ready the night BEFORE, allowed to have it out
that way you are less inside the school building
likely to forget books unless a member of staff
and equipment. has given permission.
Use your homework diary/planner
to write down what you have to do
The size of the school may Get involved in lots of extra-
and any deadlines. It’s great for other
seem daunting during the first curricular activities - it’s a great
things too, because it has lots of
few weeks. It’s amazing how way of making friends and you
useful information, maps and all the
quickly you get to know your will discover skills and interests
important details about the school.
way around, then you will be you never thought you had!
(You will be given a homework
diary on the first day of school in wondering why you ever See what is available here.
September). worried in the first place!
There will be lots of Always make an effort
new school rules to to participate in lessons.
get used to, but the Have a go at answering
most important one questions. Even if
is to listen and ask you get it wrong, well,
for help if you do you learn from your
not understand. mistakes, as they say.
Try to do your homework Talk to everyone and just
when you get it. The be yourself and you’ll find
information is fresh in your friends who like you for
mind and if you have any who you are and not who
problems you have more time you pretend to be.
to ask the teacher for help.

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Student FAQs
You can find more parent FAQs here.
Where do I go on the first day?
To the Edward Guinness Concert Hall –
school staff and students will be around to
show you the way.
Do I need to wear school uniform
on the first day?
Yes, you are expected to wear full school
uniform at all times apart from occasional
non-uniform days.
When must we arrive at school?
The school day starts at 8.45am. You
must be in your Form Room by this time.
Where do I hang up my coat?
All students are provided with a locker in which
to keep their coat, books, and other items.
Where do I keep my PE kit?
Bring your PE kit only on the day that it is
required. During the day, keep it in your
locker until it is needed. All PE kit should
be taken home every day after being used.
Do remember to label all kit, and have it
washed regularly.
May I leave my books at
school if I do not need them for
homework?
Yes, you may leave them in your locker.
May I bring chewing gum to
school?
No. Chewing gum is not allowed on the
school premises at all. Students seen
chewing gum or dropping litter will be
sanctioned.
If I ever need to arrive late
or leave during the day, what
should I do?
If you arrive at school after 8:50am you
must report to the School Reception to sign
in. If you need to leave early your parent/
carer needs to provide written notice in
advance to attendance@damealiceowens.
herts.sch.uk
How much homework will I have
to do?
On the first day, your Form Tutor will tell you
what your homework timetable will be. Each
homework should take you approximately
20 minutes, and you will usually have two
or three homeworks per night. There is a
wide range of types of homework set and
the allocation of time may vary during the
course of the term for different subjects.
When can I get something to eat
and what is the choice?
Breakfast 8:15 - 8:40am – there is a
variety of hot and cold food available from
the 6th form canteen.
Break 11:15-11:30am – again there is a
variety of hot and cold food available.
Lunchtime 12:35 - 1:35pm – meals are hot
and tasty and a good choice of healthy
options are available, including cold
lunches and salads. We also have two
takeaway pods, one outside PE and one
in the main playground, that offer hot and
cold ‘grab and go’ meals and snacks.
What is the system for going to lunch?
In the first week a special system is put in place
which helps you to get used to the lunchtime
system and gives you priority over other
students in the school. Following this there
is a school lunch rota system which must be
followed. There is no packed lunch rota. You
will be told about this by your Form Tutor.
Am I allowed to bring my mobile
phone into school?
Mobile phones are permitted into school,
however they are banned from use inside any
school buildings during break/lunchtimes and
should be kept out of sight. They can only
be used in class under the direction of the
teacher or outside at break/lunchtimes.
Smartphones are not a requirement
of the school.
If I am worried about anything,
what should I do?
The first person to speak to is your Form
Tutor. If you cannot find them, speak to any
other member of staff or your Form Prefect.
You could also speak to someone
in the Pastoral Office; you will be shown
where this is on the first day.
What should I do if I forget
something?
In such a big school, it is not possible for
Reception staff to deliver forgotten items
to students. If you do forget something
(e.g. packed lunch, P.E. kit etc.) always
check with the Receptionist to see if
perhaps someone has been able to bring
it to school for you.
What should I do if I miss my bus
after school?
Ask the Office Staff to contact your
parents/carers in order to make alternative
arrangements for home travel. The Office
Staff will get you some help to ensure you
have a safe way to get home.
What should I do if I get lost?
On the first day of school there is an
orientation session to help you find your
way around. However, if you do get lost
ask a teacher or 6th former for directions.
There will be staff around in the first weeks
to help you.
What should I do if I feel unwell
at school?
In the first instance you should go to the
First Aid room. The First Aider will decide
if you need to go home and will contact
your parents/carers if necessary. You must
not make your own arrangements to leave
school. If the First Aider is not present you
should go to Reception who will help you
in her absence.
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School Uniform

Please check the school website for all

information including Nearly New Uniform
Service.

ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM AND GAMES EQUIPMENT

MUST BE CLEARLY LABELLED WITH THE STUDENT’S NAME.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR YOUNG

PERSON HAS SUFFICIENT SHIRTS/
BLOUSES TO LAST THE WEEK.

Our main suppliers are:-

School Bags
Smith’s Schoolwear Smarty Schoolwear
Bags for carrying school books and
25 Station Parade, 63 High Street, personal property should be weatherproof,
Cockfosters Road, Potters Bar fairly lightweight and no bigger than 20” in
Barnet EN4 0DW EN6 5AS length. Over-large bags create problems in
0203 818 3622. 01707 263909 crowded areas such as corridors and can be
www.smithsschoolwear.co.uk www.smartyschoolwear.co.uk hazardous in teaching areas.

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School Expectations
for the guidance of parents and students
Our School Policies contain more
detailed information for parents/carers
and include The Attendance Policy and
the Behaviour for Learning and Anti-
Bullying Policy. All of our policies can be
found here.
1. General Appearance,
Conduct & Attendance
In accepting the offer of a place at this
school, parents/carers agree to accept
the requirements of the school for their
child. These include the wearing of
correct school uniform, a smart and
acceptable general appearance, including
conventional haircuts and colours,
orderly behaviour to and from school, and
sensible and co- operative conduct at all
times. Full attendance is expected and
holidays are not to be taken during term
time.
2. School Uniform
This must be correctly worn at all times
unless prior permission has been given
to the contrary (e.g. on a Field Studies
Visit). All items of uniform and equipment
must be clearly labelled with the student’s
name.
3. Access to the School
All students should enter the school
site via the Main Gate (unless advised
otherwise) and either remain in the
Main Playground or go to their lockers
before school starts. Only students in the
Sixth Form are allowed to use the Main
Entrance to the school. All other students
should use the Playground Entrances.
Staff are on duty from 8:25am each
morning. Breakfasts are available from
8:15am in the 6th Form Dining Room.
Students carrying musical instruments
should go directly to the Music Centre
where these can be stored.
4. Punctuality & Attendance
Students who are late for school or lessons
on three occasions in a term will be given
a warning email and three more will result
in a detention. Students not present for
registration, or arriving after 8:50am,
should sign in at Reception. Arrival after
10:00am must subsequently be explained
by an email from parents/carers to the
Attendance Officer. Absence through
illness should also be communicated to the
Attendance Officer by email at:
attendance@damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk
by 9am on the first day of absence and
each subsequent day.
The School Term and Holiday dates can
be found here.
The Governors do NOT approve of
holidays taken during a school term and
permission for absence will not normally
be given.
More information regarding reporting
absences is available in our Parent FAQs
Students leaving or entering the school
during the day (other than at the usual
times) must report to Reception before
leaving the school premises or upon
arriving at or returning to school.
5. School Lunches
School lunches are prepared on the
premises by Chartwells, who operate a
cashless system. More information regarding
this can be found here.
Alternatively, students may bring a packed Minor Accidents: where an X-Ray,
lunch to school. stitching or other comparatively
minor treatment at hospital is thought
Food may not be eaten on the school necessary, parents/carers will be asked
premises other than in the Dining Hall or to take their children to Accident and
in designated outdoor areas. Chewing Emergency, using their own transport
gum is banned at all times and must not (parents’ consent is necessary for
be brought on to the school premises. anaesthetics or other treatment).
If transport is not available, other
** In the interests of other children arrangements will have to be made by
with nut allergies, please do not bring the parents/carers.
any food containing nuts into the
school **
6. Accident or Illness
We have a First Aid room that is staffed
throughout the day by a First Aider. It
must be emphasised that the medical
facilities at the school are for use as
emergency measures only, and that
the First Aiders are not responsible for
treating on-going medical conditions.
Illness at School: any student taken ill
during lessons should request permission
to report to the First Aid Room. On no
account should students telephone
parents/carers requesting that they be
collected from school because they are
unwell. The First Aider will decide if a
child should go home, in which case they
will contact the parents/carers to arrange
this. The school will not usually send
children home unaccompanied or to an
empty house.
Serious Accidents: the student will be
taken to hospital by ambulance and
the parents/carers contacted, either to
accompany the child or to go straight to
Accident and Emergency.
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School Expectations continued
7. Contact Lenses
The school cannot be responsible for
looking after contact lenses. If your child
wears contact lenses, they must carry the
appropriate solutions, the proper container
for the lenses and a pair of prescription
spectacles for use in case the lenses have to
be removed for any reason.
8. Discipline & Sanctions
Sanctions are necessary for students who
behave inappropriately and choose not to
follow the School Code of Conduct. We
believe that it is our responsibility to both
sanction and support students so that they
can make better behavioural choices in the
future.
For further information please refer to the
Behaviour for Learning and Anti-Bullying
Policy link on the previous page.
9. In Bounds - Out of Bounds
If the weather is fine, at break and lunchtime,
the students may play on the main
Playground, the Tennis Courts (if not in use)
and all other hard surface areas, except those
at the front of the school or those from time to
time excluded for safety or other reasons.
Play Areas - students are restricted to playing
ball games in the following areas:
playground, tennis courts, artificial pitch.
If Games Practices are taking place on
the Tennis Courts or on the Artificial Pitch,
students in these areas must move away
from any area required by staff, and must
not, under any circumstances, go on to those
areas without permission. In particular, if a
ball enters a “Practice/Games area” students
must wait for the ball to be returned.
Rules for the use of the Tennis Courts and the
Artificial Pitch (e.g. trainers only; no eating; no
litter) must be obeyed at all times.
Grass Areas - students may play on most
grass areas, other than marked pitches and
grids, the wooded areas and the area around
the lake, if the weather is fine, between
Easter and Autumn half-term only. The grass
areas, benches etc at the front of the School
are Out of Bounds at all times.
10. Movement through the School
Students must not run in any part of the
school, including along corridors or up or
down stairs. They should walk on the left.
Bags and other equipment must not be
carried in a dangerous or careless manner.
Books should be collected from lockers at
the beginning of the morning, at morning
break and at lunchtime for the rest of the
day. Lockers may not be visited between
lessons. Fire Doors should be used only in
an emergency.
11. School Buildings & Equipment
The buildings, furniture, equipment,
books and other items should be carefully
looked after at all times. Any instance of
deliberate vandalism will be regarded as
a very serious offence and parents/carers
will be required to contribute towards the
cost of repair or replacement. Windows
(and curtains or blinds) are
not to be opened or closed by students,
at any time, unless requested by a
teacher.
12. Litter
All students are asked to do their best to
keep the school site looking attractive and
tidy. Any student seen depositing litter
casually (other than into the litter bins
provided) on or near the school site will be
sanctioned.
13. Personal property
The Governors cannot accept responsibility
for lost or damaged possessions, and
parents/carers are advised to securely
name and insure any items of value
(mobile phones, watches, calculators, etc.).
Enquiries regarding lost property should
be directed to the First Aid room in the first
instance.
14. Badges and other items
Badges and other items are not to be worn,
unless awarded by the school
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School Meals – Cashless System
What is a Cashless System?
At the start of Year 7 each student has their biometric scan taken. This allows students to use their
fingerprint to pay for food. No cash is held by the tills, therefore there is no need for a child have to
carry cash to purchase food or drink whilst in school.
How is money entered onto the card
holder’s account?
We use an on-line payment system
called WisePay for all parental financial
transactions to the school, for instance
to top up student catering accounts,
pay for trips, concert tickets etc. You
will receive a separate letter from
the finance team in the summer term
with your username and password for
WisePay, along with further instructions
on how to use this system.
How can the cashless catering be used
to obtain a school meal?
The student simply choses a meal or drink
from our main canteen, or from one of our
catering pods positioned around the school,
and places their finger over the reader
attached to the till point. A display on the
till will show the server the student’s name,
class and current cash balance held on the
student’s catering account. The selected
food items will be entered into the system
from an itemised keyboard and the amount
spent and new cash balance will show on
the till display for the student to see.
If we pay for a set number of school
meals can it be spent in one day?
No. A daily limit is automatically set by
the catering manager for all students.
On request this limit can be changed or
removed.
What if the student does not hold a
sufficient balance on their catering card
to pay for a school meal?
No student is refused a school dinner
because they do not have a big enough
balance on their card. The catering
department will allow a student to borrow
the amount required for one day. However,
the parent will be expected to top up the
account as soon as is practicably possible
and the cost of the meal will be taken as
soon as there is credit on the account.
What about students entitled to a free
school meal?
The system works the same for all students
whether they pay or have a free school
meal. All students have their own account
and catering card to use in exactly the same
way. The free school meal entitlement will be
manually entered onto the student’s catering
balance weekly by the catering manager.
Parents can also top up the free school
meal entitlement by logging into WisePay
and purchasing extra credits if they wish.
Will we be able to have any information
on what meals are being purchased?
By logging into the student’s account on
WisePay you will be able to see an overview
of the date, time, description and cost of
each purchase. You will also be able to
see the value of any top ups made and the
current balance on the account.
Data Handling
Certain data will be held on the system
to enable accurate operation. This will
include your child’s name, form, account
balance and meal entitlement. This data
will be handled under the guidelines of the
Data Protection Act 2018 and only used by
parties directly involved in the processing of
this system.
More information can be found here.
If you require any further information or
have any queries relating to this system
please contact the Finance Department
by emailing wisepay@damealiceowens.
herts.sch.uk
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OUR COMMUNITY
The Owen’s Way
A Supportive e-Community
Free School Meals

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The Owen’s Way
The primary aim of the school is to
inspire, develop and support every
student to be their best.
At Dame Alice Owen’s School we are
committed to achieving this aim
through promoting ‘The OWEN’S Way’.
This is what our Year 7 students have
said about ‘The Owen’s Way’:
OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
• ‘In Owen’s, I think that there is a great
range of clubs and activities. I have really
enjoyed clubs such as cross county,
badminton, netball and many more.’
• ‘The best thing I did was to join
clubs; I’ve made so many new friends
because of it.’
• ‘I have joined a drumming group
which has taught me a whole new
instrument. I also joined gym
and dance, making me enjoy my
experience even more.’
• ‘There are so many opportunities
at Owen’s for music, sport or all-
rounded people.’
• ‘There are so many clubs, it’s almost
impossible to choose!’
WINDOW TO THE WORLD
• ‘At DAOS there are so many different
windows to the world. It’s given me a
new way to see art, religion, literature,
food and so many more.’
• ‘I have discovered the harmful effects
of fossil fuels and climate change and
how we need to find a sustainable and
renewable energy source.’
• ‘In lessons, we looked deeper into the
world and people around us.’
• ‘As you move up the school, the trips
take you to new places around the world.’
EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING
• ‘Being here makes you always put the
extra effort into every lesson.’
• ‘I have noticed that everyone in school
looks very smart...’
• ‘Since I have joined Owen’s my learning has
improved, making my results in all subjects
much better and that makes me feel proud.’
• ‘Sport is really fun and the Year 7 A’s
almost never lose.’
• ‘It’s important that I am always
punctual and focused in lessons...’
NEVER STOP LEARNING
• ‘Since I’ve come to Owen’s I feel like
I’ve improved in all areas and become
more interested in each subject.’
• ‘Music lessons are great and they
understand if you don’t play an
instrument (such as me).’
• ‘I have learnt many things in many
subjects and my learning skills still
increase.’
• ‘Some subjects we explore here are
not just for intelligence but future
skills vital for future life.’
• ‘At Owen’s I have started many new
subjects such as Computer Science,
Textiles, etc.’
• ‘All the teachers are very friendly and
help you improve and expand your
knowledge.’
• I learnt how to sew better and how to
use google classroom which really
helped me improve - I had thought
I was THE VERY WORST person at
computer science and things like that.’
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
• ‘I joined the friendship bracelet club
and it was so much fun.’
• ‘I enjoyed donating food to the food
bank and having a non-uniform day.’
• ‘All my friends are very supportive and
helpful and will always be there any
time I need them.’
• ‘Form assemblies bring everyone
together as a team. You make friends
so easily, everyone is talkative and
ready for conversation.’
• ‘You’re never alone.’
• ‘If you’re falling behind in your
homework, just go to a homework club,
it will help you get finished quicker.’
• ‘I found the community helpful even
when I had a lack of confidence,
people helped me through it.’
• ‘I am lucky to have such understanding
teachers to help me if I’m struggling.’
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A Supportive e-Community at Owen’s
We are rightly proud of our students’
conduct and behaviour towards each
other, and strive to ensure that the
atmosphere at Owen’s is one of a
supportive community. We want this
to extend to all areas of student life,
including their online behaviour.
As students start at secondary school,
many are given a phone for the first time
and experience new freedoms. We dedicate
time in Learning for Life at the start of the
year discussing online conduct, including via
text and social media such as WhatsApp.
We do not start from the assumption that all
students are using phones, but recognise
that many are and that there is some
learning to be done around this issue.
We felt that it was worth bringing this
to your attention as your child starts at
Owen’s, and to make you aware of a few
issues that are common amongst new
phone and social media users. It may be
that these form the basis of discussion
points at home to ease the transition.
• Occasionally, things are said online or via
text that students are upset by. Students
can always approach a teacher, but we
also have several ways of reporting
concerns, which will be explained to
your child at the start of the year.
• At some point, phones stopped READY, RESPECTFUL, SAFE
being phones and became
computers! Whilst we often have As a school we want everyone in the school to have a happy, safe and successful
parental controls on the home time with us. In order to achieve these aims it is essential that we have outstanding
PC, mobile phones are, at times, student behaviour that correlates with our three key principles:
neglected. Encouraging an open
dialogue, where, if a child sees 1. Ready
something they dislike, they can All students are expected to attend school ready to learn. This means everyone
discuss it with an adult, is important. should attend punctually with all equipment and work required for each lesson and
should display outstanding behaviour in class to allow everyone to take a full part in
• Common amongst younger phone the classroom learning.
users are the messages that
we would know as ‘chain mail’. 2. Respectful
Typically they are a message To treat everyone and the environment with respect; to wear the uniform with respect.
(either supportive of a cause, or
sometimes quite scary) telling the 3. Safe
student to pass it to a number of Ensure that behaviour, on and off line, keeps others and themselves safe.
other people otherwise they will
miss out on good luck (or suffer a
consequence). These messages can
be overwhelming, as the same group
of students forward them amongst
each other. We encourage students
not to send these on, and to politely
ask friends not to forward them
either. It makes for a quieter phone
and fewer distractions and, as some
of these messages have a sinister
nature, happier students.
We will continue to work on these issues
(and others, as technology develops)
within school.
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Free School Meals: Helping Families, Helping Owen’s

We know there are families in the school who are entitled to free school
meals for their child each day but, for their own reasons, don’t claim it.
Importantly the entitlement also provides extra funding to the school which
helps us provide additional opportunities to any student who we feel is being
disadvantaged for any reason, such as financial help with resources for school,
trips, music lessons etc. Therefore, we would like to encourage any family
who thinks they might be entitled to free school meals to register.

Do I qualify for free school meals? Is it confidential? School Funding

Is it easy to set up?
It is very easy to register for free school
meals. As we are a Hertfordshire school you
need to apply through Hertfordshire County
Council for free school meals, irrespective
of which local authority you live in. Google
‘free school meals Hertfordshire’ and this
will take you to the relevant page where you
can register. It takes about 5 minutes and in
most cases you will be told straight away if
your child is entitled to free school meals
You may qualify if you receive any of the
following:-
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and
Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the
Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State
Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (as long as you’re not
also entitled to Working Tax Credit and
you don’t get more than £16,190 a year)
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for
4 weeks after you stop qualifying for
Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit (with annual earned
income of no more than £7,400 after tax
and not including any benefits you get).
It’s all very private and confidential. Only
restricted members of staff will be aware
of who has a free school meal entitlement.
Your child will be given the same catering
account access as other students and will
be able to have the same choice of food.
Like all other parents and carers, you may
restrict certain food items if you wish or add
additional money onto your child’s account
by logging into your child’s WisePay
account.
Applying for free school meals also helps
the school financially too. A large part of
school funding is based on the number
of free school meal families a school has,
therefore it is really important to the school
that families claim when they can. It means
we get more funding per pupil to pay for
additional teachers and support.
If you need any further information
or help please contact the Pastoral
Office on 01707 622849 or by emailing
jacksont@damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk

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KEY RESOURCES
The Library
Computer Network

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Librarian: Dr H James Assistant Librarians: Mrs K Dorling & Mrs A Goodman
The Library
The Library is situated on the top floor of the
Edinburgh Centre and provides a bright and
welcoming resource at the heart of the school.
It is staffed throughout the day and after
school by a full time professionally trained
librarian and two assistant librarians. Our aim
is to encourage a love of reading and assist
students in finding and using the resources to
support their studies and personal interests.
All students are automatically members of the
library and may use the library at breaktime,
lunchtime, and after school for independent
study, recreational reading, borrowing books
and using the computers. Students come
to the library during lessons to do research,
read and other related activities. We aim to
meet the needs of students by providing a
variety of resources both in print and online
that support the curriculum and encourage
reading for study and pleasure. The librarians
organise visits from authors and poets to talk
to students about their work as well as holding
writing and poetry competitions.
The Fiction area contains a large collection
of books especially chosen to appeal to
students of all ages, interests and abilities;
from the latest publications to established
classics. The librarians are on hand to provide
suggestions and advice with the choice of
books. Books written specifically for children
and young people can be found in the ‘Lower
School’ section. ‘Young Adult’ (YA) novels,
which are often aimed at teenagers aged 14
and over, are clearly marked. Books in the
‘Upper School’ section include many standard
classics and contemporary novels, which will
be suitable for students in all year groups.
Some “YA” and ‘Upper School’ books are
restricted to older students, and lower school
students will be asked to obtain parental
permission before they borrow these items.
Open: Monday - Thursday 9:15am - 5:00pm, Friday 9:15am - 4:30pm
The Non-Fiction area has a comprehensive
collection of books and other resources
such as pamphlets, journals, magazines,
newspapers, DVDs which have been
selected to support teaching and learning,
and also to encourage reading for pleasure.
There is an extensive collection of Non-
Fiction and Fiction in the foreign languages
taught at school. All students have library
projects where they visit the library as
a class to do research and extend their
information handling skills. The Non-Fiction
collection comprises many attractive and
inspiring books, which may be borrowed for
study or pleasure. The very popular DAOS
Book Club meets on Wednesdays at break
when members can discuss what they have
been reading, choose from the newest
books and become involved in national
activities, such as Carnegie Shadowing, and
writing competitions. Literary lunches with
visiting authors are arranged for Book Club
members.
Student Librarian programme
We encourage pupils who are interested
to participate in our student librarian
programme. Based on the School Library
Association’s pupil librarian toolkit - this
programme allows students to learn the
skills necessary to help in the library.
Ultimately the students can use the
experience and skills they gain to count
towards the service component of the Duke
of Edinburgh Award.
Owens Library Online
The library has an online catalogue, a
selection of online journals and newspapers
and a dedicated area in the school’s Google
Classrooms, all of which are accessible 24/7
inside and outside the school.
Online Library Catalogue
Each student has a Library account where
they can search for books and other resources.
They can also renew, reserve, request and
review items online. There are online reading
lists for subjects and year groups. There is
a link to the online catalogue on the school
website homepage.
E-Resources
The online resources we have available
include databases of journal articles not freely
available on the Internet, online access to
newspapers and magazines and access to
open access resources. The librarian can give
advice on how best to find online resources.
Borrowing books
All books and resources must be properly
issued before leaving the library. All
students in years 7-11 can borrow up to
6 books at a time for two weeks. Sixth
formers can borrow up to 8 items. Students
can renew books online or via the librarians
if they are not long overdue or have not
been reserved by another borrower.
Students should be aware that they are
responsible for returning or renewing their
books by the return date. Reminders for
overdue books are sent out to students
via their school email address. Students
who fail to return books after 3 reminders
will be blocked from borrowing further
books until the items are returned. For long
overdue books an email will be sent home
to the parents/carers requesting the return
of the book, or payment for the cost of
replacement.
Library Stock
The library stock is constantly being updated
and the librarians are always pleased to
consider requests for books the library does
not have. The library is an important part
of our diverse school community and the
librarians purchase stock that reflects our
diversity and encourages discussion.
Computers
The library has 12 PCs for use by students.
Priority is given to students without computer
access at home and to those using them for
school work. The library computers are not
to be used for games, social media or chat
rooms. All students must follow the school’s
code of conduct for computer use.
The Stationery shop
Students may buy items of essential stationery
from the Bookshop. It is open at break and
lunchtime.
The librarian welcomes help from parents who
would like to volunteer to help in the library.
Please contact Dr James if you would like to
help: jamesh@damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk
or phone 01707 643441.
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Computer Network
We provide a range of IT equipment for
students at the school to use including
PCs, Macs, Chromebooks and laptops.
Students are provided with access to the
latest software including cloud based apps
through the use of a Google account.
Subject specific software are also available.
Each student is provided with a user ID and
password to allow them to access school
systems and they must use their account
responsibly, not disclosing their password to
anyone else. IT facilities are provided during
lunch time in the school library and in room
K5 but often, if a staff member is available
to supervise, you might be allowed to use
other IT rooms if you ask and the library
is full. There is a Computing and Coding
Club during lunch and a Robotics Club after
school once a week.
As with all schools we do not have a
limitless budget and so students should
treat equipment with respect and report
anything that is not working or broken
to the IT Support team or a teacher so it
can be fixed. If students damage school
equipment we may ask for payment to
replace it. Filtered access to the internet is
available throughout the school. Students
are expected to use this resource sensibly
and responsibly for study purposes.
Students are given an email account
through their Google account. Years 7-11
have restrictions on their email messaging
i.e. students can send email messages to
any address but can only receive messages
from within the Owen’s community. Years
12-13 can send and receive emails outside
of the Owen’s community but are reminded
that they must only use their accounts for
educational purposes and that their external
email should be used cautiously and wisely,
keeping e-Safety in mind.
If students have a smartphone or other device
they can connect it to our WiFi network using the
instructions posted outside the IT Support Office
in K Block and on the student intranet. Students
will also be shown how to do this in a Computing
lesson. Students and parents also have access
to EduLink One, which is a school information
platform that can be accessed on any device –
PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device – via a web
browser or via the EduLink app.
Rules for the use of Computers
STUDENTS MUST NOT:
• use any computer userID other than
their own
• attempt to access any part of a
computer or network which they
are unauthorised to access
• load any unauthorised programs on
to the network
• copy files not created by themselves
without permission
• switch machines on or off without
permission or touch any plugs,
cables or sockets
• disconnect or move any piece of
equipment attached to a computer,
e.g. printer, monitor, keyboard,
headphones or mouse – ask your
teacher to help
• print excessively – think before you
print and use print preview to check
you are printing what you think you
are printing – this saves trees
• enter a computer room unless
accompanied by a member of
teaching staff
The app is available for Android and iOS
devices. It has an engaging user interface,
allowing teachers, parents and students
to communicate and access information.
These include messaging, school reports
and documents, homework, behaviour and
achievements, timetables, attendance and
absence records.
Cloud technologies such as Google
Classroom and Google Drive allow students
to share files and work together with ease.
However, students must be careful to
ensure that work they hand in is their own.
Students should not use these sharing tools
maliciously. Students should always log off
after they have finished using a computer —
not doing so will give others access to their
files. Whilst our internet is filtered to make it
as safe as possible for learners to use, no
system is perfect. If students find something
online that makes them feel uncomfortable
they must tell a teacher. Most homework
is set online, use of the Google Drive is
encouraged as an easy way to transfer files
from home to school and school to home.
Mrs Asaffo
Head of Computer Science
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