Introdu C tI on
This booklet is intended as a guide for both new and existing boarders and parents. It tells you a little about the staff involved, the daily routine and what you can expect in your life here as a boarder.
Firstly, our Boarding House is called Colstocks after the farm that used to stand on our school site. I hope that you will find your experience as a boarder one that is fun and action packed and I hope that you will make lots of friends here.
The Androvian moral code is very much part of school and boarding life and is important for all to strive towards:
• Honesty
• Kindness
• Respect
• Gratitude
• Courage
In addition, the boarders design a House Charter, which sets out the values that they want to live by. At the time of writing these are to:
• Be respected
• To treat others how we would want to be treated
• Have our privacy respected
• Be happy
• Be kind
• Be listened to
• Feel comfortable
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Aims of boarding
The primary aim of the boarding house is to provide safe and comfortable residential accommodation, within a structured and friendly atmosphere, to the following groups of children:
• Full time boarders
• Weekly boarders
• Flexi and Ad-Hoc boarders
• Short stay (minimum half a term) international children
The House aims to cater equally to the needs of boys and girls and children from Year 3 to Year 8.
Boarding will help nurture qualities such as independence, self-discipline, friendship, camaraderie and responsibility as well as offer suitable preparation to those children who may wish to board at their senior schools. Children will also be exposed to a multicultural mix within a British educational setting, which is so important in an increasingly global society.
Boarding will achieve such aims by:
• Following the school’s safeguarding and child protection policy to maintain the highest standards with this regard and always having these at the forefront of boarding life
• Employing appropriate house staff who support and nurture boarders
• Creating a homely feel in which the children feel part of a big family
• Offering children comfortable spaces that can be personalised as well as spaces that are communal
• Ensuring that the children feel supported with their academic and pastoral needs through close liaison with other areas of the school, eg tutors, catering and medical staff.
• Offering a stimulating range of in house recreational pursuits as well as an exciting range of weekend activities and trips
• Providing suitable structures and routines
• Ensuring that boarders are able to communicate with their families
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In and around Colsto C ks
A typical day
7.00am Wake up
7.00am–7.45am
Washroom time and preparation for the school day including tooth brush. Please ask if you would like a shower as well. During this time you will need to make sure that your rooms are tidy, your bed is made and that you look smart for the day ahead. On certain days you will need to do bed change and games and towel change. Staff will help all new boarders with this.
7.45am–8.10am
Breakfast
Once your rooms have been checked you may go downstairs to breakfast. Staff will be looking out for shirts hanging out, shoes that need polishing and untidy hair.
8.10am
It is now time to get your things ready for school (pencil cases, books etc.). the boarding staff will be on hand to assist you.
Music Practice
You may choose to do your music practice at this time of the day in the music school, which will be supervised by a gap student.
All boarders should be in their tutor rooms by 8.30am
During the Day
There is no-one upstairs to supervise you during the day and so everyone should remain downstairs until 5.30pm. If you have forgotten something, you may ask permission to collect it.
6.15pm–6.45pm
Dinner Time
Dinner is served in the dining room. If you have a hobby, you should get here as soon as possible.
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Evening Routines
6.45pm–7.45pm
Downtime/Hobbies
Mr Tomsett will ensure that you do at least two after school hobbies per week. If you do not have one then you may have some downtime in the house or on the school field supervised by a member of staff.
8.00pm–8.30pm
Daily contact with families
This is the time to make contact with your families and you will be given your electronics to do this effectively.
Start of bedtime routines
Showers/Washroom times
(All children to shower every evening)
Years 3 to 4 by 7.45pm
Years 5 to 6 by 8.00pm
Years 7 to 8 by 8.15pm
Quiet/Reading times
Years 3 to 4 8.00pm
Years 5 to 6 8.45pm
Years 7 to 8 9.00pm
Lights Out
Years 3 to 4 8.15pm
Years 5 to 6 9.00pm
Years 7 to 8 9.15pm
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Boarding Staff
There are a number of people who you will come across in Colstocks. Mr Tomsett is your Housemaster and you can contact him by knocking on his door or ringing the bell outside his flat. He will probably be the first teacher you will meet on arrival at St. Andrew’s and will help you to find your room and the way around Colstocks. He will also give you a full induction and prepare you for boarding life. Mr Tomsett is married to Mrs Tomsett and they have two boys called Harvey and George as well as Lottie.
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The Tomsett family
Senior Boarding Staff
There is also Miss Lancefield (Resident House Tutor), Miss Campion our Resident Senior Nurse who lives in Colstocks and is in charge of the medical provision, Miss Lozano Arcas (House Tutor) and Mr Minister (House Tutor). The flats of the Colstocks live-in staff are all near to the main office and are easily accessible to the children. The names are displayed on the front doors and they all have a bell to ring when needed. A female gappie also lives in the penthouse flat in the girls’ boarding house and can be contacted if needed by the girls.
Miss Armin is our Head of Housekeeping and is in charge of laundry and maintenance of uniform.
You will also come across the Gappies who live in Colstocks. They have their own flat in the boys’ half of the house. They will also help with boarding duties and will help to entertain you in the evenings and at weekends.
Our Independent listener is Jorj Kowszun , who is an ex Brighton University lecturer and member of St John’s Church. He will on occasion join the Boarders for breakfast or dinner and is always available to talk if you would prefer not to talk to a member of staff. Mr Tomsett will introduce you to him.
Contact Details
Housemaster – Mark Tomsett
Email: mtomsett@standrewsprep.co.uk
Work number: +441323 733203
Evening and weekends: +41323 744833
Mobile: +447495 682 991
Colstocks number to contact children: +441323 744835
Mobile: +447495 682 991
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Miss Lancefield Resident House Tutor
Jorj Kowszun Independent Listener
Miss Campion Resident Senior Nurse
Sara Lozano Arcas House Tutor
Mr Minister House Tutor
Boarding Activities in Colstocks
We run a varied programme of both indoor and outdoor activities on weekday evenings, starting after Supper. We like you to join in with these activities if you can, so that you make friends and take part in the wider community of the House. If there is something that you would particularly like to do, please let the House staff know as we will always try to accommodate requests if possible.
Birthdays
There may be a time in the year when you or another child will be celebrating their birthday. All
birthdays are celebrated in Colstocks, just as they would be at home. All boarders will sign a birthday card and Mr Tomsett will arrange a birthday cake.
Bedrooms
Your room will be named after a famous British person. The bedrooms are homely and comfortable and will have a mixture of Full and English Flexi Boarders in them.
Bedding
We know that being away from home can be difficult, so children are allowed to bring their duvets and pillow cases to help personalise their own beds. Teddies and other personal belongings are also fantastic sources of comfort.
Boarders’ Council
The Boarding House council usually meets once a term. Mr Tomsett chairs the council, and boarders can put themselves forward to sit on this council. The council is one of your opportunities to let us know what you think we could change in the House – you will be encouraged to contribute towards the council meetings through the council representatives. Each term the representatives change so everyone has the chance to help in the running of the House.
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Equipment
If you need replacement equipment eg pens, pencils these can be obtained from the school online shop (school blazer). We suggest setting up an amazon account in order to purchase all items.
Exeat weekends
We have an Exeat weekend every half term when the school is closed. Pupils are able to stay with parents or guardians during this time.
Food committee
A Food Committee made up of tutor group representatives and a boarding representative meet once a term with the Head of Catering in order to talk through our catering provision. Please give us any ideas on how menus and meals can be improved, as we always have your best interests at heart, and the kitchen is very keen to ‘get it right’.
Hair
The Housemaster will arrange a haircut for any boarders who need or want one and the cost will be added to your bill. School rules will apply as to how your hair should be.
Laundry Rota
Hobbies
There is a wide range of hobbies and activities on offer every evening of the week except Wednesdays. Hobbies for Year 5 upwards happen between 5.30pm and 6.15pm. We insist that each child chooses at least 2 hobbies per week. Activities are sent out in advance and normally during the holiday before the start of a new term. Junior hobbies for Years 3 and 4 take place between 4.15pm and 5pm.
Letters and parcels
Particularly in the early stages, we encourage parents, friends and relatives to send a letter or card to you each week. Please make sure that you have addresses of friends and family! We will always be happy to provide the stamp. Some parents and grandparents, aunties etc like to send parcels. While this is of course lovely, please be aware that we will ask you to open parcels in front of one of us, so that we can look after any sweets or food (remember to tell your family that it must be nut free) and also ensure that the gift is suitable for the dorm. Please ask them not to send you money, as it is really easy to lose it and we can’t be responsible for money if we don’t know that you have it. (see ‘Pocket Money’).
Medical
If you have any medicines that you need to take, these should be handed in to Senior Nurse and they will be given out at the appropriate time. You may be able to keep medication in your room providing the school nurse has done a risk assessment.
Head of Housekeeping is responsible for doing all your laundry. The list below shows you what you should hand in on each day. If you get anything else dirty, just hand that in too.
Every night: Uniform
Please make sure you have the correct uniform for the next day before putting your uniform in the wash. If you need something washed for the next day, please tell either Miss Campion or Mrs Armin so they can ensure it is washed in time. This includes day clothes and any uniform.
Monday Weekend clothes and girls’ towels
Wednesday Boys’ bedding
Thursday Girls’ bedding
Friday Sports kit and boys’ towels
Please bring your string bag to the medical centre after games every Friday
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Night Time
We take your sleep very seriously – some children find it difficult to get to sleep, and others get very tired, especially once they are fully immersed in school life. Therefore we will not tolerate talking after lights out, or any night time silliness. Some children who are new to boarding find it quite exciting to be sharing a dormitory with others, but it really is very important that you learn to calm down during quiet time so that you are ready to sleep. If you are silly after the lights have been turned out, we will give your dormitory a warning. If you continue to talk or disturb others we will award you with a boarding sanction and deduct points from your room score.Waking your dormitory up early in the morning is also unfair on others who want to sleep. If you are an early waker, we can suggest ways in which you can stay quiet, such as reading from a back-lit Kindle. Some children don’t like the dark, in which case please tell us, and we will put a night light by your bed.
If you are ill during the night:
Girls and Boys – you should call the relevant staff member on duty via the medical phones in your house. (Mr Tomsett will show you how to do this).
Phone calls
There is a phone number which your parents can ring in the evening in order to speak to you. It is 00 44 1323 744835. Alternatively, you may wish to ring them via smartphones and we have Wifi to assist you with this.
Boarders are allowed to have mobile phones but they are only allowed at certain times. These will be displayed on the notice board. They should be named and they are kept locked away in a safe. Your mobile should be charged during your access and your chargers will be PAT tested upon arrival.
Photos and posters
Every child has a board by their bed upon which they can pin things to personalise it. We can provide the pins but some thought about what can go on the board will help.
Photo of your family – please bring a picture of you and your family and we will put it up on our display board.
Photo of your holiday – please bring a few photos of your time at home and we will put these on our notice board.
Pocket Money
We politely ask that boarders do not come to St Andrew’s with large amounts of pocket money. The maximum we would ask each child to bring with them is £40 which should be used at the airport. We will draw pocket money out for you each week from the bank.
Rewards and Sanctions
There are a number of rewards and sanctions in place to assist with the smooth running of Colstocks. Specific details of these can be found at the end of this booklet.
Rechargeable items
The following items will be charged to your end of term account if purchased:
• Noodles (£1.50)
• All toiletries (£2.50)
There may be other items that will be recharged to your end of term bill and these include:
• Any taxi journeys
• School shoes (if required)
• Clothing (if required)
• Any expenses incurred on your behalf by the Colstocks staff
The Housemaster will endeavour to contact your parents if he needs to purchase an important item on your behalf.
Request for leave of absence
Please send all requests for leave of absence to the school’s Headmaster, Mr Gregory (TBGregory@ standrewsprep.co.uk)
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Saturday Afternoon and Evening
If you are not in a school match on a Saturday, there will be members of staff on duty who will arrange activities for you. This may involve going somewhere local, some fun on the fields or some time in the Computer Room. If there is something that you desperately want to do, speak to the duty member of staff. On a Saturday night there are two films –one will be suitable for everyone and the other will be for those children who are 12 or over and this will be the time to enjoy your tuck! Everyone goes through the washroom early on a Saturday so that the films can start at about 7.30pm. All children will go to bed at the end of the films which is normally slightly later than a school night!
Sundays
On Sunday everyone gets up an hour later at 8am. There are also trips arranged most Sundays and these are displayed in Colstocks and the school calendar.
Showers
We have five showers in the Boys’ House and three showers in the Girls’ House. Showers are optional in the mornings and are compulsory in the evenings.
Tickets and Passports
Many of you will have tickets and passports which need to be kept in a safe place. If you hand these in at the start of term we will keep them in the school safe until you need them.
Tuck/Noodles
Boarders are given the opportunity to have noodles on a Wednesday evening. On a Saturday you will be given your tuck with the movie. We will keep all personal tuck locked away in the tuck cupboard for safe keeping.
Boarders do not need to bring any food into school. If they purchase food from town then it should be handed in, as it is not allowed in the dorms. Food containing nuts or traces of nuts are not allowed in school.
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Uniform
All uniform including sports kit must be named. School Blazer offer a naming service when ordering and so all items ordered via School Blazer will arrive labeled by them if requested. Playerlayer will supply iron-on name labels for a small charge and these will need to be applied to all items of sports kit before arriving at school. We expect all home clothes to be clearly labelled at home before starting. The school will purchase sticky name labels for each child in order for us to be able to name any new garments during the term (a charge of £15 will be added to the school bill to cover this cost)
Valuables
You may wish to have at school certain pieces of valuable electronic equipment. While the school cannot take responsibility for this, we will keep any such equipment locked away. These are allowed in dorms although, as with mobile phones, they will be distributed at certain times throughout the week. Your electronic equipment will be checked and PAT tested as well.
Weekends
There are activities on a Saturday morning and so the routines are slightly different to the week and home clothes may be worn. Boarders will have to do the four sessions on offer by selecting them on School Cloud with their parents beofre they arrive.
Weekly newsletter
Each week on a Friday you will be able to keep up to date with all of the school news when the school Bulletin is published. This normally comes out at 6.00pm and will be emailed to your parents. Mr Tomsett has a blog there with stories from the House.
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School Rules
School rules exist for the efficient running of the school and in order to ensure the safety of everyone.
Behaviour / Demeanour
• We should wait outside the classroom in a calm manner until the teacher invites us in, unless permission has been given otherwise by our teacher
• We are polite and courteous and follow the classroom and general behaviour charter
• We wait until an adult is present before entering the changing rooms.
School Bounds
• We only use the Pink Path at the start of the school day, otherwise it is out of bounds
• We do not leave the school site during the school day, unless supervised by a member of staff
• We do not go behind the sports hall or pavilion at break times and stay in bounds throughout the school day.
Demeanour or Transition
• We move around school using our indoor voices and are silent as we transition through the library
• We do not run in school
• We hold open doors for others.
Appearance
• Our school white shirts should be tucked in, apart from at break times
• We should always wear school branded kit
• Our hair must be tied back in a neat manner (off the shoulders)
• We do not chew gum or eat sweets unless given by a member of staff as a reward.
Technology and Devices
• Our iPads should only be used in the classroom or in the library if permission has been given
• We are not allowed our mobile devices (including Apple watches) in school, except for school iPads and any other devices used for educational support
• We only use Teams for academic purposes and not to chat in groups or with friends
• Our group chats on Teams should include a member of staff.
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If somethIng goes wrong In Colsto
C ks
What to do if something is worrying you
However big or small the problem, there are many people
who you can talk to. They will always be able to make time to listen. In the Boarding House there are:
• Your Housemaster
Mr Tomsett
• Resident House Tutor
Miss Lancefield
• House Tutors
Miss Lozano
Mr Minister
• Resident Senior Nurse
Miss Campion
• A Gappie
• Jorj Kowszun ‘Independent Listener’
Tel 01323 737745
or email jorj@cogency.info
You may prefer to talk to another teacher within school:
• Your Tutor
• Your Form Teacher
• A Teacher
• The Headmaster
• Listening Service ( Mrs Piper)
If you want to speak to someone outside school you can ring:
• Childline 0800 1111
childline.org.uk
• Office of Children’s commissioner 020 7783 8330
childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
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Bullying
Unfortunately when a large number of children – or adults, for that matter – live under the same roof, as there are in Colstocks, there are bound to be some minor disagreements and fallings out. Sometimes these can go too far, leading to deliberate unkindness or long-term unpleasantness to one (or several) boarders and causing them a lot of upset. This may include name-calling, teasing, and laughing at – rather than with – another boarder, and is called bullying.
We always make sure we have a large number of staff on duty to try to spot potential issues and stop bullying in its tracks before anyone gets hurt. If we become aware of any incident, however big or small, we take it very seriously. If you ever feel unhappy because of what another child or children are doing or saying – whether to you or to another child –please, please tell a member of staff: we are all here to help, and are very good at finding ways to deal with situations and make your life better without anyone ever knowing that you told us.
If you find it difficult to speak up, there is a worry box in the Colstocks Cabin and this is checked weekly. We hope that the family feel of the House means that all of this will very rarely be necessary; when issues do arise they are dealt with swiftly.
Acts of physical violence are never tolerated. Our aim, where possible, is to keep any incidents which do occur as ‘in House’ matters: we view the Boarding House as a ‘home from home’ and so try as far as possible not to let ‘home’ issues spill over into school hours – like any parent would. But also like any parent, if we feel one of our pupils is facing a particular problem which could be eased by the day staff knowing and being on the lookout too, we will not hesitate to pass on information. However, if an ‘in House’ problem continues or is particularly bad, parents will be informed immediately.
It is crucial to the overall happiness of the House that every boarder knows that we will never tolerate bullying, and will do everything we can to get rid of it quickly and finally. If you or your parents want to read more about the School’s Anti-Bullying Policy, which we follow in the House, you can find it on the school website.
Homesickness
It happens to all of us, young and old – don’t be surprised if at times you really miss your home and family, especially when you first start boarding. We all have different ways of dealing with homesickness – perhaps by reading a book, or playing a physical game, or talking to a friend or a member of staff. However, the most important advice is to accept that this is perfectly normal. Warn your parents that occasionally you might phone home in tears. Ask them to listen kindly, and to encourage you to get busy or talk to someone. Often parents can spend the night worrying about you, when five minutes later the moment has passed. If this happens they are more than welcome to speak to Mr Tomsett or another Colstocks staff member.
We are sure that you will have an extremely positive experience and make many close friends during your time here.
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