Boarders Handbook This handbook belongs to:
Contents: Welcome Boarding Houses Boarding Staff Principles of Boarding at SPS Boarding Buddies Dormitories Decorating and Home Comforts Music Practice Evening Activities Meals Post Home Clothes Hygiene Health Laundry Pocket Money Tuck Communication Who to talk to? Having your say Faith Equality and Diversity Daily Routines Bedtimes Reading Time
Welcome to Sherborne Prep School Welcome to the Sherborne Prep Boarding Family. We hope your time here will be filled with fun and that you will create many happy memories whilst you are with us. This book is to welcome you to the Prep and give you a few pointers on what life will be like here as a Boarder. We have two boarding houses: Acreman is where the boys live and where we have our meals together. Netherton is where the girls live, just across the front lawn. Mr and Mrs Chiappa-Patching Ms Shambarla House Tutor Miss Vermeer House Tutor Miss Harper House Tutor Mr Roberts House Tutor Mr Liu Matron Mrs Shardlow Matron Miss Rostron Gap Tutor Miss Boyce Gap Tutor Miss Small We all live here too and are here make sure you have a great time and are well looked after. If you ever need to talk to any of us we are always around the school and our doors are always open.
Principles and aims of boarding When you board you become part of a big family, and we want to help you learn about each other as well as the world around you. This means that there will be: An understanding and respect that we are all unique and individual An environment provided which is safe, enjoyable, relaxing and free from bullying, teasing and intimidation A communication of values to allow us to grow spiritually, culturally, morally and socially Equal opportunity given to all, regardless of ethnicity, culture, gender or disability. We are all the same A place for you to be on your own when you want to be Positive encouragement given to us all so we can all continue to grow intellectually Communication with your parents and/or guardians to make sure you are happy and safe At Sherborne Preparatory School we will aim to nurture: the physical needs a sense of security a sense of belonging the self esteem the self realisation of every boarder. Everyone in the school is encouraged to uphold the school values:
Boarding Buddies: When you first arrive you may have already been in touch with a boarder in your year group or dorm. They will have lots of good information and will also be your boarding buddy until you feel settled and comfortable with the new routines. Dormitories: There are 9 dormitories in Acreman and 4 in Netherton. You will normally be in a dorm with your year group. However, on Saturday nights we encourage den building and you may swap dorms if you wish, both of which make bedtime quite exciting- fortunately you can have a lie in on Sunday morning! Decorating and Home Comforts: Your dorm is your room and you live there. We want you to be happy in it and we love it when you personalise your area: Teddies, pictures, posters, books and throws are all brilliant and it is not unusual for us to give prizes for the best interior designer! You can also bring ipods, books, board games, Lego, posters, pictures and photographs. Mr Chiappa-Patching loves books and there are always plenty of books around the boarding houses, which you are welcome to borrow. You also have the Powys Library and its excellent selection of books and audiobooks to choose from. If you are bringing in electrical items, they do need to be checked by our maintenance department before you use them in school. If you re not sure whether you are allowed a particular item, please do ask one of us.
Music Practice: If you re lucky enough to be learning a musical instrument there is time and space for you to practise throughout the week. If you are having lessons at school, your instructor will give you a practice diary and we can help you keep this up to date. Evening Activities: In the evenings there is time for you to play with your toys, practise your instruments, read books, write letters to friends and pen pals, watch TV and when the days get longer- play outside. This is your time and is there for you to relax after a busy day. Most evenings we will organise special activities, such as a football match, or game in the Sports Hall or a project in the Art Room; we are lucky enough to have all the fantastic facilities of the school available to us. Below is an example of what to look out for in the boarding houses.
Meals: Mealtimes are a very important time for us all and we like to all sit together in the Dining Hall. Breakfast: Lunch: 7:30am 12:05pm (Y3-5) 12:40pm (y6-8) Dinner: 6:15pm We are very lucky to have a fantastic group of ladies working in the kitchen who make lots of great food. The menu is also one of the things that we want to have your input on, and we are always grateful for ideas at our Sunday night Boarder's Forum. Post: We all enjoy getting post. It helps to send some in order to receive some though! You have plenty of time in the week to sit down and write a letter to family or friends and we can always send them for you. You also have a school email address that you can use to send and receive emails. Home Clothes: When the school day finishes, you can run back up to your dorms and change into home clothes. It s really important that you re comfortable and that you understand that although you re still in the school building, it is home time. Hygiene: As you are running around a lot, we do expect you to have a shower every evening before getting into your pyjamas. Rubber ducks are encouraged.
What should I do if I don't feel well or hurt myself? Please tell an adult immediately. If you get hurt or feel unwell during the day or early evening you need to come upstairs to matron, probably with a friend. She will look after you and make sure that you receive the care and treatment that you need. If it happens later in the evening or at night, please don't worry. Mr Chiappa-Patching and Ms Shambarla will have shown you where they sleep. They both wake up really easily and they don't mind getting up to look after you. They both want you to feel well, and are happy to help at any time night or day! Laundry: Every dorm has its own laundry basket or bag. In Acreman each dorm is responsible for taking their laundry bag down to Matron in the morning. Remember that everything needs to be named as otherwise we won't know who to return it to. In Netherton, Ms Shambarla helps you organise and get your laundry over to be washed- remember to thank her! Pocket money: You do have the opportunity to go into town at times and you may want to buy some tuck. You don t need much money, perhaps 2-3 a week, and Matron will look after it so you don t lose it. If you need to buy souvenirs or birthday presents, we can arrange this with your parents. Tuck: There are lots of treats that we provide in school. But nothing beats a little bit of tuck. We allow you to have a nibble on a Wednesday night after a busy sporting afternoon and on Saturday when we have a movie night. We also have a little penny tuck shop in Netherton on Wednesday night, so you don t need to worry about bringing loads in with you.
Homework/Prep: There is an hour set aside before supper for you to do any homework that you may have. If you need any extra help though, you only have to ask. Communications: If you want to talk to your parents or friends, we have Skype available on all the school computers. We also have a few phones that your parents can call if they want to talk to you. They are always available between 7.30 and 8.00 in the evenings and their numbers are: Acreman: Netherton: 07548 987 101 07548 942 861 07548 987 149 01935 812444 If it s really important that you talk to someone, you can come to us at any point and we can help you to get in contact with them. Mobile Phones: If you have your own mobile phone it must be kept in you pigeon-hole in the Common Room, or with Ms Shambarla. You may use them in the evenings after activities and on Sundays when you may want to call home. Tablets & Internet enabled devices: These are also allowed and must be kept safe in your pigeon holes. Like your mobile phones, you may have them in the evenings after activities and on Sundays. We think that they are fantastic pieces of equipment, but you must be safe when using them. The internet gives you unlimited access to the world - which is amazing; but also a little scary. If you want to use your internet in the school you and your parents will need to sign the school consent forms to show you understand why we have a few rules.
Independent Listeners: If you re ever feeling lonely or unhappy, there are plenty of staff to help you. However, you may wish to talk to an adult from outside the School. We have Independent Listeners and they are always ready to listen if you need them. They are: Dr Simon Mottram, retired School Doctor: 01935 812003 Reverend Becky Ayers Harris, School Chaplain: 01935 812245/01935 815309 Reverend Lindsay Collins, School Chaplain: 01935 813846 Other Independent Listeners with no connection to the School: Childline: 0800 11 11 Ofsted (for boarding and welfare concerns): 08456 404040 Having your say: The most important part of the whole boarding life is you. And we encourage you to help us. Which is why we have a weekly Boarders Forum on a Sunday evening where we can all sit down and share our ideas. Whether it s something you d like to see on the menu, an evening activity that you d love to do, or even an idea for a trip - tell us. But you don t just need to wait until then. There is a book outside the Headmaster s office that you can put down any of your amazing ideas or you can tell the Head Boarders who will tell us. We re not promising that you ll get your icecream machine for breakfast, but at least you re thinking about how we can all improve boarding! Faith: Sherborne Prep has a Christian ethos and assemblies are held four mornings per week during the school day. On Sundays there is a boarders service with a guest speaker. However, if you are from another faith, we will make sure that you can observe your own religious practices as far as possible. Equality & Diversity: Sherborne Prep is lucky to have staff and families from diverse countries and cultures. We think this is great as it shows that we are now part of a global community, develops an appreciation of each other s differences and similarities and helps us value and respect everyone.
Boarders Routines: You are going to be busy little bees and we want to help you be as organised as possible. On the following pages we ve put together some important times to remember, as well as an example of what your week might look like. Remember though - things do change and there are plenty of exciting activities that we do that aren t in this routine. Bed Times: Depending on which year you are in, your evening routine can be a little different. Sleep in one of the most important things for a growing mind and body and we like you to get your rest. Year Registration/Shower Snack Rooms Lights out 3/4/5 7.30 7.45 8.00 8.15 6 7.30 7.45 8.00 8.30 7 7.30 8.00 8.30 8.50 8 7.30 8.00 8.40 9.00 Reading Time: We love a good book and think that it s a great idea to have a little reading time before we turn out the lights. We have plenty of books to choose from here at school, but please do bring your favourites in with you. Story Time: Sometimes you find such a good book or story that you want to share it with your dorm! When this happens, we love to read it to you all whilst you snuggle up in bed.
WEEKDAYS Mornings 7.00am 7.30am 8.00am 8.15am Wake up (no early morning travel for you!) Breakfast Check out with Matron Form Time and your school day starts Evenings 5.00pm 5.10pm 5.40pm 6.05pm 6.45pm 7.30pm Lessons end and you now make your way to Registration and Prep. Prep Time Year 3-5 Games Home Clothes & Supper Free Time/Evening Activities Shower/Pyjamas/Snack/Quiet time. Wednesday Afternoons Wednesday afternoons are a little different as there are sports matches against other schools and you may be involved in these. If your team is not involved in a match, there are training sessions- so everyone gets a chance to have a run around! 12:40pm 1:50pm 3:30pm 5:00pm 6:05pm 6:45pm Matches Training for those not involved in a match Registration and Activities Boarders Registration/Home clothes/free time Supper Netherton Tuck Shop/Evening Activities
WEEKENDS Saturday mornings: The whole school have activities on a Saturday and you will choose these at the end of the previous term. All staff offer an activity and it is a chance for you to do something you really enjoy- or try out new things. 7.30am 8.00am 8:30am 9:00am Wake up (a little lie in!) Breakfast Brush teeth and check those rooms are tidy! Class room for registration 9.10 am Activities Session 1 10.10 am Activities Session 2 11.10 am Break 11.30 am Activities Session 3 12.30 pm Lunch - Boarders/Teams If you are in a match you will have lunch with your team. Boarders who are not in a match sit together on the Boarders' tables Saturday afternoons: Many of you will be involved in games on a Saturday afternoon. If you re not, there s the opportunity to go and support your friends or have a little time to yourself. After the matches have finished there is the opportunity to go for a trip into town. 1:00pm 3:30pm 5.30pm 7.00pm 9.00pm Matches/Boarders Activities Free time/trip to town Tea and return from matches Movie Night/Den Building Lights out Children often ask to stay in another dormitory on a Saturday night and this is allowed if their behaviour has been good. We also encourage den building on these nights.
Sundays: Sundays are a much more relaxed day, much like it might be at home. Usually the following happens: 8.30am 9.00am 10.00am 10:30am 12.30pm 1.00pm 6.00pm 6:45pm Wake up Breakfast Service/Assembly Letter Writing or early departure for Activity/Outing Lunch (If on site. Packed lunch/picnic if out). Activity/Outing - this is different every weekend and we always try to do something new and fun Supper Boarders Forum
Sherborne Prep School MMXV