To help make your child's first day at the USI as exciting as possible, we've collated this checklist. This means you can focus on getting that 'first-day photograph', rather than worrying about whether or not you've packed the right footwear.
Click on the appropriate school age below, and you get a list of everything you need to bring. We've also included some general recommendations to make your child's first day run as smoothly as possible.
Early Years Essentials
It is important that both you, and your child are excited about starting your journey with our fantastic Early Years team.
You can begin preparations by talking to your little one about the transition and showing them pictures of their new environment. You can also enlist their help in preparations. Perhaps they can help label their personal items, such as lunch boxes and water bottles.
Things to bring to school on your child's first day
- Uniform - please make sure your child comes in their uniform. You can read about the uniform and how to purchase it on our uniform page.
- Suitable footwear - students should wear plain black shoes, unless they have PE. Your teacher will provide you with the timetable so you know which days your child has PE.
- Sunscreen and sun hats – please carefully apply sunscreen to your child in the morning before drop-off. Please also provide a sun hat every day. When it is cool enough we take the children to play outside - the playground is fully covered by shades, but there are times when they may go to the football pitch, which is not shaded.
- Snack and lunch - if you are ordering lunch from the canteen, you will need to send in a snack for morning break, and a further snack for the afternoon if your child is staying until late pick-up at 2pm.
- A water bottle - containing fresh water (no sweet juices)]
Suggested food for snacks:
- Sandwiches
- Cubes of cheese
- Diced Fruit/Veg - apples, carrots etc.
- Cereal bars
- Savoury biscuits/Crisp breads
Please do NOT send the following:
- Sweets or chocolate (unless prearranged for a special occasion).
- Drinks in cans or glass bottles for safety reasons.
- No NUTS in case of allergies of other children. We are a nut-free school.
- Jewellery or small objects for safety reasons.
If you decide to order school lunch for your child through our lunch provider, please make sure you have pre-ordered the meals. Students in Years 4 and above will be able to choose their own lunch from the canteen and pay using their cashless canteen card. Visit Lunch & Snacks for more information.
Primary School Essentials
We hope you and your child are excited about joining our wonderful Primary school community.
In order for your child to have the best possible first day, there are few things you can prepare.
Things to bring to school on your child's first day
- Uniform - please make sure your child comes in their uniform. You can read about the uniform and how to purchase it on our uniform page.
- Suitable footwear - students should wear plain black shoes, unless they have PE. Your teacher will provide you with the timetable so you know which days your child has PE.
- Sunscreen and sun hats – please carefully apply sunscreen to your child in the morning before drop-off. Please also provide a sun hat every day. When it is cool enough we take the children to play outside - the playground is fully covered by shades, but there are times when they may go to the football pitch, which is not shaded.
- A spare change of clothes. Clothes will remain at school unless used. In this case, your teacher will inform you to re-stock the bag.
- Snack and lunch - if you are ordering lunch from the canteen, you will need to send in a snack for morning break
- A water bottle - containing fresh water (no sweet juices)
Suggested food for snacks:
- Sandwiches
- Cubes of cheese
- Diced Fruit/Veg - apples, carrots etc.
- Cereal bars
- Savoury biscuits/Crisp breads
Please do NOT send the following:
- Sweets or chocolate (unless prearranged for a special occasion).
- Drinks in cans or glass bottles for safety reasons.
- No NUTS in case of allergies of other children. We are a nut-free school.
- Jewellery or small objects for safety reasons.
If you decide to order school lunch for your child through our lunch provider, please make sure you have pre-ordered the meals. Visit Lunch & Snacks for more information.
PRIMARY SCHOOL STATIONERY LIST
- 1 small to medium sized pencil case (no large/A4 style)
- 6 HB lead pencils (please replace throughout the year)
- 2 erasers
- 1 pencil sharpener
- 6 whiteboard markers (please replace throughout the year)
- 1 highlighter
- 4 solid glue sticks – Bostik/Pritt Stik brand preferred (please replace throughout the year)
- 30cm ruler (no bendy rulers)
- Small scissors
- Coloured pencils
- Library bag
- Paint shirt (or an old shirt)
Secondary School Essentials
We hope you and your child are excited about joining our wonderful Secondary school community.
In order for your child to have the best possible first day, there are few things you can prepare.
Things to bring to school on your child's first day
- Uniform - please make sure your child comes in their uniform. You can read about the uniform and how to purchase it on our uniform page.
- Suitable footwear - students should wear plain black shoes, unless they have PE. Your teacher will provide you with the timetable so you know which days your child has PE.
- Laptop - please refer to out Bring Your Own Device page for recommended specifications.
- A water bottle - containing fresh water (no sweet juices).
SECONDARY SCHOOL STATIONERY LIST
- Blue, black and red pens
- 10 x lead HB pencil
- 2 x erasers (small)
- Small pencil case
- 30cm ruler wooden/plastic (no metal/no bendy)
- A USB memory stick for school and home
- A protractor and compass
- A library bag
- Paint shirt/old t-shirt
- Subject specific equipment – students will require specific equipment for their lessons for example a scientific calculator (Casio fx-570EX), protractor and compass for mathematics. However, they will not be expected to have all this on their first day.
LUNCH AND SNACKS
Suggested food for snacks:
- Sandwiches
- Cubes of cheese
- Diced Fruit/Veg - apples, carrots etc.
- Cereal bars
- Savoury biscuits/Crisp breads
Please do NOT send the following:
- Sweets or chocolate (unless prearranged for a special occasion).
- Drinks in cans or glass bottles for safety reasons.
- No NUTS in case of allergies of other children. We are a nut-free school.
- Jewellery or small objects for safety reasons.
If you decide to order school lunch for your child through our lunch provider, please make sure you have pre-ordered the meals. Visit Lunch & Snacks for more information.
