McNabb and Tait Information Booklet

Dollar Academy

McNabb and Tait Information Booklet

A Welcome from the Houseparents

A big welcome to McNabb and Tait, and to Dollar Academy. We are delighted to have you in McNabb and Tait House for the coming session.

We hope that you will enjoy your time with us, and that you will make the most of all that Dollar has to offer. You’re not expected to read and learn everything straight away, but we hope that this booklet will give you all the information you are likely to need.

Of course – if you’re in doubt about anything, the best thing to do is to ask. We’re a very friendly house, in a friendly school, as you will soon discover, and everybody is happy to help.

We look forward to watching you thrive at Dollar Academy and going on to great successes.

Best wishes for a fantastic 2024/25 school year!

Mr and Mrs Baird, Houseparents

McNabb and Tait House provides excellent accommodation for up to 53 boys at Dollar Academy. Each year we welcome boys from all corners of the world.

We aim to provide a stimulating, safe and supportive environment to ensure that you make the most of your time here. If you are new to the boarding house, on your arrival we will assign you a ‘buddy’ who will help you settle in, look after you and answer any questions you may have.

McNabb and Tait is a very welcoming and inclusive community and we are very happy to have you here with us.

Contact Information

NcNabb and Tait House 1-5 Academy Place Dollar FK14 7DY

Houseparents

Mr Baird and Mrs Baird: 01259 740585

Mr Baird Mobile: 07827 647804

Mrs Baird Mobile: 07827 647804

Assistant Houseparents

Mr and Mrs McEwan: 01259 740586

House Tutors, Assistant Housestaff & Domestic Staff

What is a typical day like?

Prep Time & Evening Activities

Curfews & Bedtime

House Registration

Areas of the House

How can I arrange to see friends/family?

What if I don’t feel well?

What should I wear?

Recreational areas and Bathrooms/Shower Rooms

What doors do I use to enter/exit the house?

Where can I practice my musical instrument?

What do we do at the weekend?

What do I do about money?

Boundaries

House Council & Food Forum

Fire Procedure

What do I do if I have a concern or question?

Your First Day: Getting Started

Term Dates

House Tutors

The House Tutors support the Houseparents in the running of the boarding house in the evenings (Monday – Thursday) between 6pm – 11pm.

They provide academic and pastoral support to our boarders, whilst also providing a mentor role for a set group of pupils.

Assistant House Staff

We have a team of Assistant House Staff who are in the boarding house between 8am and 10pm every day.

They complete the routine tasks needed in any household to ensure the boys’ wellbeing and organisational needs are met. They play a key pastoral role in the boarding house.

Domestic Staff

The Domesitc team work very hard to keep the boarding house looking its best.

Mr David Chant

Miss Heather Holloway

Mr Andrew Fynn

Mr Dean Campbell

Mr Stuart Edwardson

Jennifer Fraser

Andrea Dodd Maria Stolarek Patricia Allison

Caroline Carmichael Tracey Macbean Suzanne Thomson Janet Mair

What is a Typical Day Like?

7.15am

7.45am - 8.15am

8.40am

12.30pm - 1.20pm

Wake up - you will be woken by your Houseparent.

Morning routine and breakfast in the dining hall.

Time for school and to go to your form class.

Lunch is served in the school dining Hall.

You can go to your co-curricular activities.

Dinner will be served in the Dining Hall.

House meetings (Monday and Thursdays only)

Prep time

What Happens During Prep Time?

‘Prep’ is what we call homework at Dollar Academy. Prep time is very important and we expect the house to be quiet and settled. Prep starts at 6pm each night.

If you are in JI- JII, your prep time will be from 6-7pm and you will work in the supervised Prep Room in Tait. If you are in F1-F2 your prep time will be from 67.30pm and you will also work in the supervised Prep Room in Tait.

For those pupils in F3 and above, you will work independently in your room from 6-8pm. The duty members of staff will check in on you periodically to provide help or academic support if necessary.

We do try to limit telephone calls, unless very important, during these times so please let your family and friends know. There are several computers and printers for use in the IT rooms. You can access the internet here and stay in touch with family and friends. We do have WIFI in the house too.

ADepending on your year group, you are able to sign out of the boarding house to meet friends or to go to the shop in the town. The gym is also open in the evenings and there are also many other organised activities on such as basketball, football, rounders and many more.

When do I need to be back in the Boarding House?

Curfew (Term 1 until 30 September)

Form 5/6 Form 4 Form 3 Form 2 Form 1 Junior 1/2

9 45pm 9 30pm 9 15pm 9 00pm 8 45pm 8 30pm

Weekend extended curfew visiting other houses at discretion of HP/House Staff

Curfew (1 October until the end of Term 2)

Form 5/6 Form 4 Form 3 Form 2 Form 1

1/2

9 15pm 8 45pm 8 30pm 8 15pm 8 00pm 7 30pm

Weekend extended curfew visiting other houses at discretion of HP/House Staff

Curfew (Term 3)

Form 5/6 Form 4 Form 3 Form 2 Form 1 Junior 1/2

9 45pm 9 30pm 9 15pm 9 00pm 8 45pm 8 30pm

Weekend extended curfew visiting other houses at discretion of HP/House Staff

What time do I go to bed?

Bedtime

Form 6 Form 5 Form 4 Form 3 Form 2 Form 1 Junior 1/2 10 30-11pm 10-10 30pm 9 45-10:15pm 9 30-10pm 9-9 30pm 8 45-9 15pm 8 30-9pm

House Registration Times

During the week and at the weekend there are certain times where a whole house registration is necessary to account for the whereabouts of the boarders and ensure their safety. The registration times are listed below:

Monday, 6.00pm

Tuesday, 6.00pm

Wednesday, 6.00pm

Thursday, 6.00pm

Friday, 5.30pm

Saturday, 12.45pm

Sunday, 6.00pm

Morning registration takes place when the pupils are woken up by house staff. Pupils should make house staff aware prior to any registration time, if they are going to miss the registration for any reason. This will be noted on the registration document.

Areas of the House

The boarding house has two kitchen areas where after school snacks and suppers will be served. You are welcome to use the kitchens to prepare snacks, other food items and hot/cold drinks. We ask that you please clean up after yourself.

There are two large common room areas with pool tables, table football, table tennis and TVs with gaming devices. The common rooms are lively and sociable areas of the house and we encourage everyone to come down and enjoy the fun.

You can watch a Virtual Tour of the boarding house here.

What doors do I use to enter/exit the house?

The are two main entrances to the house, one at the McNabb end of the house and one at the Tait end. With only a couple of exceptions you should use the door at the end of the house where your room is located. There are sign in/out books at both doors so please make sure you are using them.

Only at lunch time during the school day, we ask that all boys use the McNabb door. This is so that house staff are aware that you have entered the house for safety reasons.

Once you have entered one of these doors, you will find the shoe boxes, where you should store your outdoor shoes.

The doors are operated with keypads and you will be given the code when you arrive. It is very important for the security of the House that you do not give the door codes to anyone.

What do I do when I want to go out?

The signing in/out book will always be found at the entrance. If you have permission for a day/weekend out you must sign in/out in addition to reporting in/out to a member of staff.

You do not need to sign out if you are going to routine meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), an after school activity or an organised house trip.

For anything else when you leave the house, you must sign out and, on your return, you must sign in again.

Can Friends and Family visit me in the house?

Of course, you may have school friends visit you in the house but please remember to let a member of the house staff know and ensure they sign in when they arrive and sign out when they leave.

Please let the house staff know if your family are planning to visit. We will make sure there is a room free downstairs for you to have time together and we will try to ensure the HP/AHS are around to welcome them.

No visitors are allowed upstairs without permission.

No one other than the occupants of a room are allowed in rooms unless the occupant is present or has given permission. This is very important and will help protect your belongings.

How Can I Arrange to See Friends/Family outside of the house?

You can go out at the weekends to stay with friends or family. In order to arrange to stay with a friend you need two emails giving permission; one from your parents and one from the host parent who you will stay with.

If you are being collected by your parent or guardian, then you just need to let us know in advance that this is happening. Permission emails should ideally be received by the Thursday before you want to go out.

You must sign out prior to leaving and then sign in when you return, please also tell a member of staff that you are leaving and again let them know when you return.

Cars and Transport

It is important you have opportunities to see your day pupil friends whilst you are boarding. If a boarder needs to travel in a car driven by a day pupil parent, they must have email permission sent to their houseparent in advance of the journey.

Only in special circumstances can a boarder keep their car at school. If you need to do this please request permission in writing from the Deputy Rector. The keys must be handed in to your Houseparent when you arrive at school and will be stored safely. Boarders are not permitted to travel in a car driven by another pupil.

Boundaries

Dollar is a safe and picturesque town to explore and enjoy in your free time, however there are some areas of Dollar where you are not allowed to be. These include:

Gloomhill Quarry

The mines at Vicar’s Bridge

‘Witches Cauldron’ in the Dollar Glen

The graveyard in Dollar

You are allowed to be on the old railway line in daylight, for exercise purposes or walking to Tillicoultry, but are not permitted to be on the railway line after dark. Y h ld t l th il li t k f

You are allowed to enjoy playing on the golf course during the day. This area becomes out of bounds after dark.

You are allowed to enjoy the burn in the Millgreen, but no pupil should be in the burn at any point above the Millgreen. Only Form 3 pupils and above are allowed to walk up through the Glen to Castle Campbell.

If you would like to leave the town of Dollar you must speak with your house staff and plan your movements with them.

Pupils should not enter the area of the Gloomhill Quarry.

Pupils can enjoy the use of the golf course in the light, but the areas becomes out of bounds after dark.

The railway line is okay to visit but out of bounds after dark.

Pupils should not enter the burn at any point above the Millgreen. Only pupils in Form 3 or above can be using the paths through the glen up to Castle Campbell.

Pupils should not be in the graveyard at Dollar Parish Church.

What Do We Do at the Weekend?

have regular House Trips either as a whole boarding mmunity, with the whole House or with individual year ups.

se are organised termly and the termly plan is emailed to r families. You are encouraged to participate in as many these as you can in order to get the most out of your rding experience.

you have any suggestions for weekend activities then ase let us know. Our trips usually include:

to the cinema. ping in Stirling, Edinburgh or Glasgow. out for a Meal. re trips. ties such as swimming, climbing or paintballing. arting and Laser Quest.

g ise activities within the House too such as themed days and evening quizzes.

re are also many other boarding social events throughout year such as Christmas parties and the Boarders Ceilidh, ok Groups, Senior Social Get Togethers as well as Sports ekend.

How do I get involved and make new friends?

There are many co-curricular clubs and societies which you can join. It is a great way to meet people at these, and make friends on an informal basis.

We would encourage you to make the most of these opportunities as they will enhance your experience of boarding at Dollar Academy.

What if I don’t Feel Well?

When you arrive in Dollar you will be registered with the local Health Centre. Should you need to isit the doctor, a member of staff will make an ppointment for you.

All members of house staff are trained in ispensing medication. The boarding house has a tock of ‘over the counter’ medications such as aracetamol and ibuprofen. Boarders should not ring any medication from home unless it has een previously arranged between your parents nd your Houseparent.

you don’t feel well, please let the a member of ouse staff know. If you need to be absent from chool, you will stay in your own room. The house taff will check on you every hour during the day o ensure you are feeling ok, that you are omfortable and that you have adequate supplies f food and water. Your meals will be ordered to he house, so you do not need to go to the dining hall if you are not feeling well.

If you have any medication with you, please hand it in to house staff immediately. Prescribed medication from overseas is acceptable if all information is ‘pre-translated' into English for safe administration. Nonprescribed medication from overseas is not accepted and should not be brought into the boarding house. If there are any questions about this, please contact the houseparents.

You are encouraged to maintain your own dentist at home and organise appointments for when you are at home during the holidays. We can organise an emergency dental appointment for you if necessary.

What Should I Wear?

During the school day, you should be in school uniform as outlined in our uniform list. Your shirt should be tucked in, your tie should be fully done up, and your top button should be fastened. Blazers should be worn at all times. Any item worn under a school shirt or blouse should not have a visible logo or design.

For Physical Education lessons and exercise based co-curricular activities, you should wear Dollar Academy sports clothing as per the uniform list. Boarders should bring their own sports clothing for use in their own personal time.

Uniform is worn for school and to certain school occasions throughout the year. At all other times you are free to wear your own clothes.

All of your uniform, sports kit and casual clothing should be named using stick on/ sew on labels before you arrive in the boarding house. This is to ensure all your items get back to you safely after being in the laundry.

Please take off your outdoor shoes when in the House as this helps to keep the house clean and tidy. We will give you a box to store your shoes at the entrance and all your shoes should be stored in this box. Please keep your shoe box neat and tidy.

What do I do with my laundry?

As you can imagine, this is a very important part of the routines of the House. It is your responsibility to ensure all your dirty clothes are brought to the laundry. It will be washed, dried and ironed and returned to you as soon as possible, usually the same day. You should change your shirt, underwear and socks daily.

Your sports kit must be washed regularly, and it is your responsibility to put it in the wash when it needs to be done. Your bed linen is changed every two weeks. All clothing should be, if possible, machine washable and clearly named.

If you have any clothing still to be named please speak to the Assistant House Staff and they will do this for you. Please do not put dry clean items in the laundry baskets.

Where can I watch TV and play games?

There is adequate social space in McNabb and Tait House, where you can watch TV or play computer games.

Each area has its own TV. Please ensure you adhere to the classification appropriate for your age unless you have permission to do otherwise.

Where do I shower and clean my teeth?

McNabb and Tait House has a number of bathrooms and shower rooms throughout the house. At the Tait end these tend to be larger in size and so you will be sharing them with more pupils.

In the McNabb end the bathrooms are smaller and are shared between two or three pupils. Please use the shower room that is closest to your bedroom.

There are two baths in the house. If you prefer a bath to a shower, please feel free to make use of it irrelevant of where your room is located in relation to the bath.

The bathrooms are spacious and cleaned every day. We ask that you help to keep these areas tidy after use and also work with your peers to ensure that the facilities are shared fairly.

Will my birthday be celebrated?

We celebrate boys’ birthdays during term time in the evening, after Supper, with a cake, candles, and our own special rendition of Happy Birthday. This really is a McNabb and Tait tradition.

If your family has a treat planned, let us know as that can be accommodated.

Where can I practise my musical instrument?

There is a piano in the House which may be used for practice. A number of boys in the House play a variety of musical instruments. You are encouraged to practise in the House either before, during or after Prep time.

If you would like to arrange tuition in a particular instrument then please ask Mr or Mrs Baird to help you arrange this.

What do I do about money?

Generally, most boys operate their own bank accounts and do not require cash.

However, if you do have large sums of money please hand it in to Mr or Mrs Baird and we will look after it for you. You can take small amounts out as and when you require it.

Wallets should be locked in your lockable space when not in your possession. Please take good care of your money and bank cards, these are your responsibility.

Am I Responsible for my Own Property?

We insist on high standards in this area. We will provide you with adequate storage for your books and clothes. We encourage and expect you to keep your room tidy and take good care of your belongings.

Please make sure that you ask us to keep anything which is very valuable.

You have a lockable box in your room to store valuable possessions securely. You will need to provide a padlock for this.

When you arrive at the boarding house you should hand your passport and any other important documents into Mr and Mrs Baird for safe keeping in your pupil f

House Council and Food Forum

Every half term we will run a House Council meeting in the House. This is an opportunity for your Houseparent to hear your thoughts and ideas on a wide variety of topics related to the school and your boarding experience.

We strive to make your boarding experience the best it can be, so these meetings are crucial to gain feedback and instigate change.

Each house council meeting will run representative from each year group. P and take your turn at feeding back information on behalf of your year.

Twice per term the Food Forum meet to discuss ideas and feedback for our dining hall. All pupils have the opportunity to be part of the food forum and we would encourage you to get involved.

These meetings produce useful feedback for our catering team and it enables them to take on your wishes, where possible.

Fire Procedure

Your safety is our number one priority. When you arrive at the boarding house, please take time to read over the ‘Fire Order’ in your bedroom. This will outline your quickest and safest route out of the house in the event of a fire. There will be a fire drill early on in your time in the House.

If you discover a fire: Inform a member of staff immediately.

House who will take this information to the Heads and Deputies meetings which is chaired by the Deputy Rector, Mr Pyper. You might also want to make use of our ‘Talk to Us’ feedback forms which can be accessed via the QR codes which can be found around the House. These forms can be accessed and filled out at any time and can be made anonymous if you wish.

Your First Day: Getting Started

This is the start of an exciting new adventure for you! Whether you are an experienced boarder or not, feeling a little bit nervous is very normal. Please do not worry if you have forgotten something or feel like you don’t know what to do. After you have unpacked please make your bed. There are spare hangers downstairs in the laundry room if needed– please help yourself. You should bring your suitcase down and store it neatly in the trunk store. A member of staff will show you where it goes. We would like you to unpack quickly so you can come back downstairs to the common rooms to meet your new housemates. There will always be something going on for you to join in with.

Please do not move the furniture in your room. Posters can be put up on your notice board, wardrobe and on the back of your door but please do not put them on the walls.Shoes are kept in the boxes at the front doors. There will be a box which has your name on it. Please take off your shoes when you return to the house and store them in these boxes to save mud coming into the house.

Passports and any important documents should be handed in to Mr or Mrs Baird for safekeeping on arrival. Please ensure that you have an up-to-date visa and if you think there may be a problem with this let Mr/Mrs Baird know as soon as possible.

Large sums of money should be given to the Housestaff for safekeeping. You have a lockable cupboard in your room but you need to supply your own padlock for this. These can be easily ordered online.

Doors – the entrance to the house has a security lock. You will be told the code for your door – please do not give out this information to anyone outside the House.

If you travelled alone today please make sure you phone home to let your parents/guardians know you have arrived safely.

Remember, homesickness is very normal over the first few days of being away. Please come and speak to a member of staff if you are feeling homesick. Our best advice for homesickness is to be busy and get involved in as much as you can.

Session 2024/2025 Term Dates

To view our term dates, please click here.

Packing List

Please make sure that all clothing is labelled with your daughter's name or initials.

School Uniform:

Black trousers

Blazer

Three long sleeved white shirts

Jumper - dark blue (not compulsory)

Flat black, polish-able shoes (no boots)

Tie

Black socks

School scarf, hat and gloves (not compulsory)

Sports kit:

Shorts

White Dollar Academy sports t-shirt

White Dollar Academy rugby shirt (compulsory for Form 3 and below)

Long navy socks (compulsory for Form 3 and below)

Long Sleeve thermal base layer (optional but a good idea)

Navy mid-layer

Dollar Academy tracksuit trousers

Dollar Academy tracksuit top (optional but a good idea)

Trainers

Gum shield (if playing rugby)

Navy or black swimming costume

Tennis racket (optional)

Sports bag

Water bottle

For the boarding house:

Duvet, pillow, sheet, duvet cover and pillowcase

Two towels

Casual clothes. We do the laundry every day, so there is no need to bring a lot. Usually we have the chance to dress up for parties at Christmas time, and at the end of the year, but there is normally the chance to go shopping for these events, and it is possible to have deliveries made to the house

Toiletries

For Schoolwork:

Pencil case

School bag

Paper/folders

Electronic Devices

We want to draw your attention to new requirements for next session. Dollar Academy now asks all pupils to have an appropriate electronic device for classroom and evening study use.

You will receive communication about this directly from the school, but if you have any queries please let us know and we can put you in touch with the correct members of staff.

Chargers/adaptors/electronic equipment:

Hairdryers/straighteners etc – these are allowed

Please note that if your daughter is bringing electronics from abroad, we will only be able to allow adaptors that are fused.

You will be able to purchase uniform in advance from:

Hendersons of Stirling:

(6/8 Friars Street Stirling FK8 1HB Tel: +44 (1786) 473681)

Stevensons:

(21-23 High Street Perth PH1 5TJ)