Welcome

The NELVCI community wishes you and your family a warm welcome to our school.

The transition to a new school – whether from primary to high school, or from one secondary school to another – is a significant event in a student’s schooling experience.  It can also be an anxious time for parents as their child learns to navigate a new campus, make new friends, and develop an understanding of the new school’s expectations and routines.

Our teachers, support staff, and programs aim to make this transition a smooth and positive experience for both the student and family. Below you will find helpful advice and links to information that should ease the transition process.

Who to Contact:

The following staff members are here to assist with enrolment matters and transition processes:

Sis. Patience Mendscole  – For Enrolment Officer for enrolment scrutiny
Principal Kla – loh R. Kaffa – for enrolment applications and advice
Bro. Emmanuel H. Sally, Registrar & Business Administrator

Students Coordinators:

Our Coordinators monitor and support the transition of new students. They show new students around the campus, explain their timetables, and introduce them to peer ‘buddies’ who will look after them. The Year Coordinators are also a valuable point of contact for parents seeking feedback or advice about their child’s transition. In 2023, our Year Coordinators are:

• Year Co-ordinator,  Fredrick Maxwell Sekou
• Year Co-ordinator, Bro. Lincoln Natee
• Year Co-ordinator, Bro. G. Mator Youku 

Primary-To-High-School Transition

Our primary-to-high school transition process commences when students are in Year 6. Our Principal, Year Coordinator, and support staff visit local intake primary schools to talk to students about our school and what it’s like at high school. Our team also meets with teachers to learn about any students who may require additional support or have specific learning needs.

Our Transition Day is held the first week in October each year – usually on a Saturday, when students can enjoy full access to our facilities. While the children explore their new school, try out some really cool learning activities and meet their transition leaders, peers and some of their future teachers, our Principal hosts a special reception for their parents where school policies, procedures, and routines are explained.

Orientation Days

Our school year commences with our Orientation Program. This is a time for new students to get to know their peers in their Home Room, make new friends, learn about our school’s routines, find out what equipment they need, and have some fun. Importantly, students are introduced to “The NELVCI Way” – our expectations and code of conduct for all students – in class, on the grounds, at assemblies, and in the community.

Arriving At School

It is important to ensure your children arrive at school on time so they have time to settle in, and are relaxed and happy before class starts. If they arrive after the school day has started, they need to sign in at the front office – this is a legal requirement.  Please send your child with a note explaining their late arrival.

Similarly, if you need to collect your child before the end of the school day, please send them with a note for their classroom teacher, they will then proceed to Student Services to wait for collection and sign out.

Attending Every Day Is Important

Liberian law stipulates that all school-aged children must go to and attend school every day.

Developing the habit of going to school every day is vitally important so children and young people do not miss out on important ideas and skills they need for future learning. Did you know:

• missing half a day of school each week equates to one month of missed learning per year
• the attendance habits set by children when they first start school continue throughout their school life, if a child misses half a day of school each week between Pre-primary and Year 6, they would miss almost one full year of learning is cumulative – if your children miss a day, it is harder for them to catch up.
• You can help by making sure your children arrive at school on time; making sure they eat nutritious meals get enough sleep; making appointments with doctors, dentists and specialists, and making holiday plans during school holidays and not during the school term.
• If one of your children is unwell and unable to go to school, let the school know straight away by sending an SMS to 0555772597 – 0775197746 to the Attendance Officer. If they miss a day, it is important you talk with their teacher and the Principal to find out how you can help them catch up.

Arriving At School

• Our school gates open at 7.00am. Students then have 15 minutes to prepare for their day before the first class commences at 8.15am. Please note that students are not permitted early into the school grounds unless they are attending teacher-supervised activities.
• Students are discouraged from arriving early then 6:30; if they do, they are to sit quietly outside and engage in passive activities as we do not have staff available to supervise them.
• Students who arrive after the school day has started are to enter through Reception and sign in at the Student Services counter.
• New students with mobile phones are required to deposit these at Student Services on their way into school each morning and collect them at the end of the day. The mobile phone is handed in inside a clear plastic bag labeled with the student’s name and Home Room. 

Leaving At The End Of The Day

The last class of the day finishes at 12.45Am for lower level and 1:45 for upper level, Students exit from campus 2:30, unless student class or other school activities. Students are encouraged to go straight home.

Helping Your Grade 7 Child To Enjoy A Smooth Start To High School

The Board of NELVCI provides information about how families can help their children make a smooth and successful transition to high school. Here are excerpts:

• Moving from primary to secondary school is a significant event in every child’s education journey.
• As a parent you have helped your child adjust to many new and sometimes challenging situations. A new school, with new teachers and new ways of learning requires some adjustment so be prepared to support them as they settle into this new environment.
• Our school staff have transition plans and programs to support children in their move from primary to secondary school.
• Parents also play an important role at home. By preparing for and talking about the move, you can make a big difference to how well your child makes the transition. If you are well informed and knowledgeable about the move, you are better able to support your child.

Preparing For School

Here are some things you can do to help your children get the best start to secondary school:

• Practice the morning routine the week before school starts. This is especially important if your children are taking public transport or walking to school.
• Buy uniforms, school materials and equipment early.
• Make sure your children eat nutritious meals and are well rested.
• Buy your children a diary or study planner (if they do not get one from the school) so they can organize their time.
• Talk with your children about what they expect school will be like. Talk about the extra programs and activities they can be a part of. Remind them it is okay to feel nervous about starting something new.
• Talk about the subjects they will learn and how it is a time to see what they like before deciding on what to focus on in later year.

Enrolment Policy and Procedures

Enrolment decisions in schools are made in accordance with the School Education Act (1998) and Department of Education policy, on criteria based on age, residential location, and educational needs.

Who Should Complete the Enrolment Form?

A Parent/Carer/Guardian: who are defined in the School Education Act 1998 as persons who at law have responsibility for the long term care, welfare and development of the child; or the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the child.

Application and Eligibility

The school has accommodation for a student where their usual place of residence is within the boundary of the NELVCI local intake area as determined by the Department of Education at the time the enrolment commences. Siblings are not assured enrolment at the school where the family is outside the school boundary at the time of the sibling’s enrolment. A separate enrolment form needs to be completed for each child.

Required Documentation

• a copy of the student’s Birth Certificate;
• a copy of immunization records
• a copy of the most recent school report; and
• Any Family Court orders or parenting plans registered with the Family Court.

Please note appointments are required when submitting enrolment forms. Appointments require completed enrolments along with documentation.

Enrolment submission appointments are available between the hours of 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

For enrolments into 2022, please use the enrolment form below.