House Handbook Fonthill House 2021/2022
Information to Parents and Guardians
Contents Page 3
Welcome to Fonthill
Page 5
House Staff
Page 6
House Prefects & Mentors
Page 8
House Contact Details
Page 9
House Rules
Page 11
House Sanctions
Page 11
House Awards & Recognition
Page 12
House Events & Competitions
Page 13
House Charities
Page 14
Daily House Routines & Protocols
Page 15
Other House Information
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Welcome to Fonthill from the Housemistress This will be my third year as Housemistress of Fonthill, and I am really looking forward to welcoming everyone back in September – new and existing pupils alike. I still feel hugely privileged to have been given this role, having worked in Kingswood boarding for 17 years, as well as being a teacher of English, Games and PSHCE, and involved in many aspects of the extra-curricular programme of the School. I am proud that, despite the challenges of the last two years, the house has maintained it’s spirit and identity, and the Fonthill family is stronger than ever. Here’s hoping for another great year! Mrs Juliette Mainwaring
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House History
House Emblem
The original Fonthill House (on Lansdown Road, opposite the main school gates) was built well over a hundred years ago (c.1874/5). It opened in 1972 as the first girls’ house in Kingswood School, with just eight Sixth Form boarders. In 1979, junior girls also joined the house, and within a few years Fonthill numbers had increased to almost 60 girls. In 2001, under the stewardship of Housemistress, Miss Angie Wright (who then became Kingswood’s Head of Boarding until retiring in July 2020), the house was relocated to its current position at the end of Fonthill Road, at the top of the line of four boarding houses on this side of the School campus. Until 2019, the house was led by Mrs Clare Sergeant, who stepped down from leadership of the house to take up a position as Kingswood’s Assistant Head (Pastoral). Both Miss Wright and Mrs Sergeant give their names to house end-of-year awards.
Fonthill’s house colour is red, as reflected in the house’s current emblem, which was formalised in 2021. It comprises of a design of its main letters (produced by former Fonthill member, Maddy, several years ago), and the house symbol of a bird in flight. The bird was drawn by former Fonthill pupil, Lizzie, as representation of freedom and independence, which we hope all Fonthill members will achieve a sense of through their time in the house. The bird is sometimes affectionately known by Fonthill as the ‘flying seal’!
In Fonthill this year there are 93 pupils, of whom 29 are boarders. There are over 10 different nationalities represented by members of the house. Fonthill is paired with a boys’ house - Hall - with whom it shares many events throughout the school year, including regular tutor time discussions of various topics.
The two house mottos were established by Upper Sixth pupils in 2019-20, led by Head of House, Minnie – an inspiring group who were extremely principled and passionate, and who worked tirelessly for change in all areas of school and global life. These mottos are also reflected in the house aims and ethos.
House Aims & Ethos In addition to the general ethos of the School, Fonthill House has its own specific values, which reflect the nature of the pupils in it. The following aims are actively promoted within the house – both by its tutors and senior pupils:
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To encourage Fonthill members to take responsibility through service – for themselves and their actions, for others, and for the closer community and wider world around them
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To encourage Fonthill pupils to take pride in, and be principled and passionate about all that they do, say and believe in - whatever that may be
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To foster in all Fonthill members a sense of their importance as women, recognising their value and worth as such, whatever future path they choose to take
House Staff Fonthill has a dedicated team of tutors, with a wide range of academic subjects and specialisms. All pupils are allocated a tutor – for a minimum of one year, but who may take them for subsequent years – who is responsible for their daily academic and pastoral wellbeing. The tutors get to know their tutees extremely well, and should be first point of contact in the event that any issues arise. Dependent on the weekly timetable, tutor groups get together for tutor time prior to period 1, and individual tutorials are also arranged between tutors and pupils at other times during the week. SENIOR HOUSEMISTRESS Mrs Juliette Mainwaring English, Games, PSHCE; Tutor – various year groups (jmainwaring@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
House staff doing evening duties Miss Anna Galloway Graduate Music Assistant
RESIDENT ASSISTANT HOUSEMISTRESS Miss Alice Moore English; Year 13 Tutor (amoore@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Matrons Mrs Yasmine Haines & Miss Chloe Dalton
… and Twiglet ‘Boarder’ Terrier and house dog!
House Tutors Miss Abi Bowman Psychology; Year 11 Tutor (abowman@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Mrs Monica Corripio-Lopez English, PSHCE; Year 12 Tutor (mlopez@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Mrs Claire Edwards Head of Psychology; Year 13 Tutor (cedwards@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Miss Alice Fox Second in Mathematics; Year 10 Tutor (afox@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Mrs Janine Gardner Computer Science; Diversity and Inclusion Lead; Year 11 Tutor (jsgardner@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Mrs Sarah Hopkin Head of Economics; Year 10 Tutor (shopkin@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Miss Lucy Morris Mathematics; Year 12 Tutor (lmorris@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Miss Louise Sobey MFL (Spanish); Year 9 Tutor (lsobey@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Mrs Fiona Wight Cover Supervisor; Year 9 Tutor (cedwards@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
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Prefects and Mentors Positions of Responsibility
Mentoring
The school aims to give positions of responsibility to senior Upper Sixth pupils. These are chosen from each house at the end of the Lower Sixth and include: the Head & Deputy Head Girl & Boy; Head of House, Deputy Head of House & Head of Boarding from each house; and Senior and House prefects.
The house follows the Schools lead in terms of placing importance on peer mentoring, in the following ways: •
Big Sisters / Little Sisters – each junior member of the house is allocated a house ‘big sister’ when they join in Year 9. The sisters are house Lower Sixth pupils, and they remain as big sisters to their little sisters through until the end of Year 13 (when their sisters are in Year 10). The sisters have regular scheduled times to meet and chat, but often meet or communicate outside this.
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Lower Sixth Prefects – Year 12 pupils engage in a range of prefect and mentoring roles, including: Westwood Prefects (who work with Year 7 & 8 pupils); Junior Boarding Prefects (who assist with the youngest boarders); as well as prefects in other specific areas of the School, including Activities, KPS Activities, Library, IT, Careers, and academic subjects. Some students also get involved in Mentoring Plus, and work with young disadvantaged pupils from a local primary school.
The Fonthill positions of responsibility for this year are as follows: Grace
Head of House
Olivia
Deputy Head of House (also additional PR member)
Ningwa
Head of Boarding
Senior Prefects
Thea Jasmine Larissa Aunam Isabella
House prefects are chosen in September, and along with the Senior prefects, and under the leadership of the Head and Deputy Head of House, and House Head of Boarding, play an important role in the house: assisting house-staff on duty; organising house events and teams; taking the lead in charity initiatives; and acting as role models and mentors for younger pupils. The prefects are crucial in setting the tone for the house and promoting the ethos of both the School and Fonthill House.
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From the Head of House Hello, my name is Grace and I feel very honoured to be Head of Fonthill for this academic year. I look forward to welcoming all Fonthill members - both old and new - to the House in September, and I am so excited about the year ahead. When I joined Kingswood in Year 7, I was more than a little nervous. However, I threw myself into almost every activity that Kingswood has to offer, and over the last six years I have loved trying so many new things. They gave me confidence and I have made amazing friends.
My top tips for 2021/22 are: •
Take every opportunity you can at school. Your time here will start to fly by. Try new things. You can achieve anything you set your mind to – and you might make new friendships along the way.
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Get involved in House events even if you don’t think you are the best player, fastest runner or have two left feet! It is so much more fun when we are in it together.
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Be kind and look out for each other.
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Share your experiences - both the highs and the lows - we can all be inspired by achievements and supportive when things don’t go to plan.
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And finally… take pride in Fonthill – it is the BEST House.
Here’s to a great year!
Fonthill House is a family, and it has supported me throughout my Kingswood journey since Year 9. I would like all Fonthill members, both boarders and day pupils, to feel part of this family. The last 18 months have been challenging for everyone, but I am hopeful that we are going to be able to share many more experiences together as a House this year.
Grace
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Contacting the House House address
Fonthill House Fonthill Road Bath BA1 5RP
Telephone Numbers If you wish to contact the house, please use one of the numbers below. House staff on duty will answer when there, and if not you can leave a message, or send a text to the house mobile. If the message is urgent, it is best to contact the School Reception directly (01225 734200). During the School day the matrons are in the house to take calls, and duty staff are present in the house from 4.30pm 5.45pm, and again from 8.30pm - 10.30pm. Duty staff also have the house mobile with them from 4.30pm - 10.30pm. Fonthill House Office
01225 734498
House Staff Duty Mobile
07436 152341
School Reception
01225 734200
Contacting the Housemistress Although first point of contact is usually the tutor, please feel free to contact me over anything regarding your daughter (however small it may seem!). I would much rather respond to matters as they occur, than let them develop into bigger issues. I would also love to hear about everyone’s endeavours and successes outside of school, so that they can be shared and celebrated within the house. I can be contacted any time between 7.45am and 10.30pm, either via the house numbers above, the Main School Office (who will pass on a message), or via the email address below, which I check regularly throughout the day. I will try to respond to any phone messages or emails within 24 hours, unless they require more urgent attention. Jmainwaring@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
House Social Media Fonthill has a Twitter account, which records and celebrates the life of the house, including information and images. This can be found on Twitter as follows: @KWS_Fonthill Please follow the house account, to get a sense of the Fonthill family!
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House Rules The following rules apply to Fonthill House. They are either house-specific, or are a re-iteration of School Rules that are particularly important. All members of Fonthill are asked to read and sign a copy of these rules at the start of the academic year. 1.
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All house members are expected to co-operate with staff and prefects.
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All Fonthill members are expected to behave with good sense, good manners and good will at all times, and show friendliness, helpfulness and sensitivity to others.
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Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
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School rules regarding dress and uniform (including hair and make-up) must be followed by all pupils at all times. Neat, tidy and appropriate personal presentation should be the aim of all members of the house.
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The fabric of the house - furniture / belongings / communal areas - must be treated with respect and care. This includes the Locker Room and the Creed Room, as ‘extensions’ of the main house space.
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Members of the house are expected to fully support Fonthill wherever possible – the house ethos as well as its specific events and competitions.
No pupil may visit the house during lessons, unless with the permission of a member of staff.
10. Visitors from other houses (including boys’ houses) are welcome in the house at Quarter, Lunchtime and after lessons, but must be signed in by a member of Fonthill, who is then responsible for their guest’s behaviour. Only one guest per Fonthill member is allowed. 11. No day pupil visitors are allowed in boarders’ bedrooms. 12. All pupils are expected to be punctual for morning registration and prep (if staying for this). 13. All day pupils are expected to sign out from the Fonthill Office at the end of the school day (5.20pm). Permission to leave early may be given after a written request from parent / guardian. No signing out from the School Office, without good reason to do so. 14. Use of mobile phones in the house spaces must be in line with the rules in the rest of the School. No mobile phones should be used at Registration or during other communal house gatherings e.g. assemblies / house notices.
All members are responsible for keeping the house clean and tidy, including using plates when eating, washing up / loading the dishwasher, putting rubbish / recycling in appropriate bins etc.
15. All school meals during the week are compulsory. No substitute ‘meals’ may be prepared or consumed in the house.
Pupils using the television in the Common Room must ensure that their viewing is age-appropriate. Should this not be the case, duty staff may ask pupils to switch the television off. 18 certificate films are not to be viewed at any time.
16. Smoking (including e-cigarettes) or possessing / consuming alcohol in the house are considered very serious breaches of trust, and will be dealt with in line with the School Policies.
Signed………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….
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House Sanctions Breaches of these house rules (especially persistent breaches) will result initially in warnings, followed by sanctions being applied. Details of these are recorded in the House Sanctions Book, which is checked regularly by members of the Senior Management Team, especially Mr Harding, Head of Boarding. Sanctions are commensurate with the misdemeanour, and may include the following: •
Pupils may be asked to pay for damage caused to the house through irresponsible behaviour
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Pupils may be banned from certain areas of the house if their behaviour falls below the expectation. The length of any ban will depend on the seriousness of the offence
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Pupils may be asked to clean up any mess in communal areas directly attributable to them. This includes the Locker Room and Creed Room
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Infringements relating to mobile phone use may result in the pupil being asked to hand in their phone to a member of staff for a specified length of time (usually until the end of the School day)
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Persistent lateness for registrations or failure to sign out may result in communication with home, a house detention in activity time (4.30pm 5.30pm), or be elevated to a School detention with the Deputy Head (Friday 5.30pm - 6.30pm)
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Persistent infringements relating to dress / uniform / makeup / hair / jewellery will result in the same sanctions as above
House Awards and Recognition Fonthill takes great pride in the achievements of all members of the house. Individual or one-off achievements in specific fields e.g. Academic, Music, Drama or Sport will be recognised in house via assemblies or the house Twitter account, as well as in Whole School Assembly and the School Newsletter. In addition, the house wishes to officially recognise those whose values, actions or general demeanour consistently place them ‘above and beyond’ the normal expectations of house members. House awards and recognitions are as follows:
End of Year Awards In addition to House Colours, Fonthill makes the following awards to pupils once a year, in the final house assembly.
Spirit of Fonthill (The Lewis Trophy) This is awarded annually, at the end of the year, and is given to a house member who embodies the spirit of the House through a positive attitude towards House and School life, showing kindness to others, volunteering to help peers and/or staff, or willingly offering to participate in House events. It is the students' choice, and each year many different names are nominated across all year groups. The recipient’s name is recorded on a stone plaque which hangs in the house. The recipient last year was Y11 Fonthill boarder, Tobina.
House Colours These are awarded at the end of each term, and recognise pupils who have given a lot in terms of involvement in house or School life. They can be Fonthill members in any year group. Recipients are chosen through nomination and discussion between housestaff, including matrons. The Head and Deputy Head of House and House Head of Boarding may also offer their opinions. A badge with the house letters is presented to the recipient of House colours, and may be worn on the school blazer or jacket.
The Wright Way Named in honour of Miss Angie Wright, a previous Housemistress of Fonthill, this is awarded annually, at the end of the year. It recognises a Fonthill member who has trodden the ‘Wright’ path by consistently going the extra mile to help out, somebody who is proactive - seeing what needs to be done before being asked - or somebody who acts with humility and not seeking the limelight. It could also recognise a pupil who has re-found the ‘Wright’ way, although who may not always have trodden it! It is always a hard decision for Fonthill tutors since there are so many pupils this could apply to. The recipient’s name is recorded on a wood plaque which hangs in the house. The recipient last year was Y13 House Head of Boarding, Eloise.
Last academic year, 8 members of the house were awarded their house colours, as follows: Christmas Term:
Evelyn (Y13) Eloise (Y13) Ningwa (Y12)
Spring Term:
Grace (Y12) Precious (Y13)
Summer Term:
Thea (Y12) Olivia (Y12) Jasmine (Y12)
The Sergeant Leadership Award This award was created in 2021, to mark the retirement from Kingswood of previous Housemistress, Mrs Clare Sergeant. It is not necessarily for the Head of House, but recognises a person in Fonthill who has shown effective leadership in any capacity – as captain of a sports team, leader of an orchestra, main part in a production, spokesperson for a group in school such as Pride, or head of an event such as an MUN conference. The award could perhaps recognise some of the less well celebrated qualities of leadership such as good organisation, or kindness to others, and as such may go to those who lead by example and the values they hold, rather than through obvious action and showy outcome – in other words, exactly the way that Mrs Sergeant led the house for her 7 years as housemistress. The inaugural recipient was Head of House, Niamh.
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House Events and Competitions Competitions
House Shirts
There are several inter-house competitions which take place throughout the year and in which Fonthill members take on either the other girls’ houses, or pair with our brother house, Hall, to take on the other brother / sister houses. These events often require different year groups to within the house to work together, and are great for house bonding, as much as they promote healthy and friendly competition in the right spirit.
For many of these events, Fonthill uses its house shirts or vests. These display the house emblem and name, and were brand new in 2021, thanks to a very generous donation from an anonymous Fonthill parent, who wanted their gift to be put towards ‘something permanent that would benefit as many members of the house as possible’. These house shirts are always worn with pride!
The year starts with the House Performance – comprising a house song competition and an ensemble competition. Fonthill and Hall combine to choose and prepare songs for this, including a mass dance routine. Despite not winning the previous time this was held, Fonthill has a strong record in the House Performance, and it is always very well supported by members of the house. Other house competitive events throughout the year include: •
All major School sports: Hockey, Netball, Athletics (Senior Sports Day), Tennis, Swimming, Cross Country / Cross Country Relays
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Debating
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Academic Awards: Commendations (Years 9-11), Distinctions (Years 12-13)
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Boarders’ Bake Off
House Mascots Fonthill has several house mascots, who accompany the house to competitions when they are not resident in the house lounge. The mascots are bears, Big Trevor (also known as ‘Trevor Bigland’) and Mini Trev. In the last academic year, whilst the house were in Year group Learning Zones, the Fonthill Year 12s also adopted the skeleton in Science 1, officially welcoming a new member of the Fonthill family!
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Events
House Charities
During the year there are several House Events.
Fonthill House supports two charities each year:
There is always evening House Entertainment in the final week before the end of each term. Fonthill gets together with Hall House for these events, and all members of both houses are invited to attend. The events are as follows:
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The Restart Centre in Kenya, and particularly sponsorship of two boys – Ken and Kelvin – to help with their living and education. This has been Fonthill’s main charity for a number of years now.
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And a charity nominated by someone in the house – which changes each year. Previous charities have included the Mental Health Charity, Mind, and Freedom4Girls, a period poverty charity supporting women in the UK and Uganda. For the forthcoming year, the house has chosen to support The Life Project, a Bath-based charity which supports people with learning disabilities and their carers.
Autumn Term
Ice Skating in Bath, followed by a hot chocolate & hotdogs
Spring Term
Dodgeball Tournament
Summer Term
Outdoor Games - sumo wrestling bungee football, bungee running and limbo – followed by the very competitive inter-year group tug of war.
Additionally, at the end of the Summer term, the Fonthill Upper Sixth get together for an event to celebrate their time in the School and House. This includes reminiscences, and also the now traditional 'person most likely to ...' awards and baby / first day at school photographs for each Year 13 leaver. There is also a Leavers’ Dinner / Ball. Upper Sixth Prefects from Fonthill and Hall also enjoy a dinner out in Bath during the Autumn term – a thank you in advance from Mrs Mainwaring and Mr Harding (Senior Housemaster of Hall) for all that they will do to help during the year.
House charity events and initiatives include the everpopular candy canes at Christmas, organised by the Lower Sixth ‘elves’, and Fonthill ice creams in the Summer term. In future, senior members of the house also plan to participate in Cancer Research events such as Pretty Muddy and Race for Life 5 / 10km.
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House Daily Routines House Registration
Absence
Pupils at Kingswood gather in house groups every morning. Fonthill’s location is The Creed Room, adjacent to the Sixth Form Dixon Building, and members of the house meet here at 8.25am each morning to be registered as a house. The exception to this is mornings when pupils are with their tutors, in specific locations around the school.
The School is required by law to keep detailed and accurate registers, and evidence is required from parents to cover every period of absence. If a pupil is going to be late or absent, for whatever reason, this must be authorised. Doing this in the following way is ideal (for sudden, unexpected, as well as prior known absence):
Assemblies, Worship and Tutor Time
An email sent to registration@kingswood.bath.sch.uk, with the pupil’s tutor and housemistress copied in.
Following morning house registration, there is a regular pattern of assemblies, worship and time with tutors as follows: Monday
Whole School Assembly – Theatre, Chapel, Sports Hall
Tuesday
Year 9, 10 & 11 Chapel Year 12 & 13 Tutor time
Wednesday
Year 9, 10 & 11 Tutor time + Assembly in Theatre Week A Year 12 &13 Tutor time + Assembly in Theatre Week B
Thursday
Year 12 & 13 Chapel Year 9, 10 & 11 Tutor time
Friday
House Assembly
Alternatively, you can call the School Office on 01225 734203.
Leaving Early If a day pupil has to leave School early, written permission from parents / guardians needs to have been given in advance. •
Pupils should sign out from the School Office if they leave anytime before the final lesson ends at 4.20pm.
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Thereafter, signing out should be via the Fonthill member of staff on duty in the house, unless there is a reason to sign out from the School Office (for example being picked up from the Side Entrance).
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A regular early leave (e.g. for on out-of-school club) may be communicated via just an initial email to the housemistress at the start of each term.
Signing Out All pupils are expected to sign out of school when they leave at the end of the day. They do this through the house / School signing out procedures, as follows: 5.15pm
Signing Out for Years 9, 10 & 11 and remaining Sixth Form from the Fonthill Office.
Sixth Form
Sixth Form pupils may leave either following their last afternoon lesson of the day (by emailing to say they are leaving), or at 4.30pm (by signing out from the Fonthill Office
Staying for Supper and Prep / Evening Activity Any day pupil is welcome to stay for supper and / or prep, following the boarders’ usual evening routine. There is a small charge for this, which is added to the School bill.
Twice daily registrations (at the start of period 1 and period 6) are legal requirements. Signing Out is part of the School’s good practice in monitoring the whereabouts of pupils during School hours. Your cooperation in ensuring that pupils adhere to registrations and signing out is much appreciated; this is for everyone’s safety and security.
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This can be on an ‘ad hoc’ basis, by signing in during morning registration, or during the day in the School Office.
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It can also be a regular arrangement of a particular night(s) each week. This can be organised by emailing the Housemistress at the start of each term.
Other General Information A combination lock is best. For locks needing keys, a spare should be handed in to Mrs Mainwaring, in a clearly named envelope. Sixth Form have a study in the Dixon where they keep their belongings, and this also includes a lockable space.
The House Fund Fonthill House facilities include a Smart TV, DVD player, computer workstations, and a well-equipped kitchen and comfy lounge. These are available for use by anyone in the house, and their ‘guests’ to the house. A number of House social occasions take place during the year, including end of term ‘entertainment’. The school provides an allowance to help towards the cost of these facilities and events, but each House also applies a levy of £5 for day pupils and £10 for boarders per term, which is added to the school bill.
Casual Boarding Day pupils are welcome to casual board in Fonthill, if the need arises. This will either be in a spare bed, or a camp bed added to a room, depending on year group. A casual boarding form may be obtained from Mrs Mainwaring to book this facility and includes details of nightly charges (which are added to the termly bill). The form needs to be returned prior to the date of casual boarding.
Personal Property It is imperative that all clothing and personal possessions are clearly named – ideally with pupil name and house. If this is the case, any item that goes missing will be returned to its owner through the lost property system. It is recommended that valuable items such as mobile phones, laptops / tablets, and musical instruments be privately insured. Pupils must take full responsibility for these items, using school systems to ensure they are stored securely.
Inviting Boarders Home at Weekends It is lovely that, on occasions, day parents invite boarders into their homes. Please email Mrs Mainwaring a request in writing by Thursday lunchtime, stating timings, transport etc. Confirmation is also required from the boarder’s parents or guardian to agree to the exeat.
Locker Rooms The Fonthill Locker Rooms are in Main School, underneath the Library. Each girl in Years 9-11 has a locker, which is large enough to store books, Games bag and hockey stick / tennis racket. The lockers can be securely locked, so that personal belongings may be kept safe. Pupils are asked to supply their own padlock, please.
Years 9-11 may leave at 5.30pm on Friday. Sixth Formers may leave at 4.20pm. Please let us know exactly what time the boarder will return to the house, and therefore when you relinquish responsibility for them. J. Mainwaring, Jul 2021
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