House Handbook School House 2021/2022
Information to Parents and Guardians
Contents Page 3
Introduction
Page 4
Contacts
Page 4
Role of Housestaff
Page 5
Housestaff
Page 5
House Prefects
Page 6
House Plan
Page 7
House Routines and Arrangements
Page 7
Evening Bedtime Routine
Page 8
Boarders’ Responsibilities
Page 8
Town Leave and Exeats
Page 10
House Routines and Rules
Page 11
Sanctions
Page 12
Uniform
Page 13
House Events
Page 13
Additional Information
Page 14
Fire Instructions
2
Introduction to School House The House system at Kingswood was set up in 1895. School House was so called because it was over what was the “Senior Schoolroom” until the Ferens was built in 1926. School House became a girls’ boarding house in September 1992 when the Kingswood house structure changed into three senior boys’ and three senior girls’ houses. The House aims to be a place where the girls can grow with a sense of responsibility for themselves and others; learn to co-operate and support one another as members of a community; and develop intellectually and socially in a Christian environment. School House has undergone various changes since I was an Assistant Housemistress in September 1992: •
September 1992 to June 2000 Boarding and Day girls for Years 9 to U6
•
September 2000 to June 2003 Entirely Day girls
•
September 2003 to present Boarding for Sixth Form Day girls for Years 9 to U6
House symbols dating way back are a Bullfrog called ‘Bulf’ and a Tulip.
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Contacts Official House address:
School House Kingswood School Lansdown Road Bath BA1 5RG
School House Flat:
01225 734416
School House Office:
01225 734415
Twitter:
@KWS_SchoolHouse
Senior Housemistress
Una-Jean Paver (ujpaver@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Tutors and Contact Your daughter will be allocated a tutor from the ten tutors for the coming academic year. In practice this means the supervision of academic progress, extra-curricular involvement and general pastoral needs. There are organised group tutorials twice a week, from 8.30am to 9.00am. Tutors will also liaise regularly on a one-to-one tutorial with their tutee. In the first place it is your daughter’s tutor who deals with academic or extra-curricular matters arising and you may wish to contact your daughter’s tutor directly on these matters by leaving a message with the School Secretary (01225 734200) or by letter, or email (email addresses given on page 5). Otherwise, please regard me as the first point of contact on all matters regarding your daughter’s life in school and I shall take up any issues arising with the appropriate member of staff as necessary. My telephone numbers are as listed and I am happy to speak to you any time between 7.30am and 9.00pm. During the day I will be teaching and if you are unable to reach me please leave a message with the School Secretary (01225 734200) who will pass the message on to me that day if it is before 4.30pm. You may also e-mail me if you do not require an immediate response.
Matrons My two matrons also play an important part in the pastoral care of the boarders. Their hours are 8.00am until 2.00pm Monday to Friday. The matrons are happy to deal with domestic issues as they arise throughout the school day and are available at lunchtime and quarter break if they are needed or simply to have a chat.
Senior and Assistant Housestaff Supervision of the boarders during evenings and weekends is the responsibility of the Senior Housemistress and Assistant Housestaff. A member of staff is available to the girls 24 hours a day in case of emergency. A member of the Housestaff is available in the House with the girls from the end of prep until bedtime on a weekday. At weekends there is daytime as well as evening contact with Housestaff. It is the normal procedure for the Senior Housemistress to be responsible for three duties per week including the majority of the weekend duties. The assistants share the remaining duties. Una-Jean Paver (Senior Housemistress)
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House Staff
Matrons Mrs Jayne Pillinger Mrs Caroline Ridewood
Senior Housemistress: Miss Una-Jean Paver Resident within School House, Miss Paver teaches Physical Education and Games, A Level Physical Education, Biology and Junior Science.
House Prefects We have a team of House Prefects in the Upper Sixth who are elected each year. They help the Housestaff run the House, supervise prep for Years 9, 10 and 11, and play an active role in the pastoral care of others. They assist in organising House teams, competitions and social events as well as initiating charity work.
Assistant Resident Housestaff: Miss Kirsty Sutherland (ksutherland@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Miss Sutherland is resident within School House and is the school’s Librarian and Head of EPQ.
The House Prefect team is managed by the Head of House and assisted by her Deputy:
Miss Rosie Bond (rbond@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Miss Bond is non-resident and teaches Modern Languages.
Head of House:
Annie
Deputy Head of House:
Evie
Head of Boarding:
Haysley
Senior Prefects:
Emily (Deputy Head Girl)
Additional Tutors Mrs Sophie Andell Modern Languages teacher. Mrs Andell will be a tutor for one term. (sandell@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Vicki Bels
Ms Jo Brayton Head of Drama. Ms Brayton is taking up her post in January 2022 and will take over from Mrs Andell.
Elli Hannah
Mrs Sarah Dakin Latin and Greek teacher, Head of Classics (sdakin@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Kitty Issy
Miss Charlotte Evans Head of German (cevans@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Holly
Mrs Emma Prowse Learning Support (eprowse@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Mia
Edie
House Prefects
Miss Bethany Rolfe Biology teacher, Head of PSHCE (brolfe@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Upper Sixth pupils will be invited to be House Prefects in September.
Buddies
Ms Najat Taibi Head of French (ntaibi@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
All pupils new to the house are allocated a buddy who is responsible for looking out for them and ensuring they find their way around the school in the first couple of weeks. In addition to this a ‘Big Sister’ system operates in School House with an U6 pupils allocated to a Year 10 pupil and a L6 pupil allocated to a Year 9 pupil in order to help and support them throughout their first year in the senior house.
Dr Jenny Wood Chemistry teacher, Head of Science (jwood@kingswood.bath.sch.uk) Tutors are all non-resident.
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School House Plan Downstairs Common Room
Staff Flat Miss Paver
Hallway Stairs
Laundry Room
Kitchen
ENTRANCE
Staff Office
Office
Upstairs Bedroom 2 Beds Bedroom 2 Beds Bedroom 2 Beds
Stairs
Matrons Room
Fire Exit
Staff Flat
Shower
Fire Exit
Shower Room
Bedroom 2 Beds
Bedroom 2 Beds
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Bedroom 2 Beds
Bedroom 2 Beds
Bedroom 3 Beds
Bedroom 2 Beds
Bedroom 3 Beds
House Routines and Arrangements HOUSE DAILY ROUTINE
Fridays
The House daily routine follows the school routine and includes the following:
1 to 4 as left. Prep ends at 8.00pm. All boarders must report for a roll call at 8.00pm to Housestaff on duty.
Monday to Thursday 1.
8.25am morning registration takes place in the Library, for all year groups.
2.
Day pupils in Years 9 to 11 departing at 5.30pm should sign out in the House with Housestaff in person in the House from 5.20pm. If for any reason a day pupil needs to leave early for an outside activity their parent/guardian must inform the Senior Housemistress in writing.
3.
4.
5.
Saturday and Sundays Roll call times and arrangements on separate sheet. Boarders use the BOARDINGWARE ipad to indicate their whereabouts on campus. No boarder should leave the House before 10.00am without prior permission from Housestaff.
Day pupils in years 9 to 11 leaving at the end of prep should sign out with the member of staff on duty. Sixth form day pupils may leave the school premises after lessons finish at 4.20pm.
Please note the following:
Sixth Form boarders return to the House at 8.30pm following prep, unless they have excused themselves from the member of staff on duty if they have an activity. Boarders should check in personally with the member of staff on duty. If a boarder has any reason to leave the House once they have ‘signed in’ then they must see the member of staff on duty to check out and back in again. All boarders should be in the House from any activity by 10.00pm.
Kitchen duty must be completed by 10.00pm Showers should be finished by 10.15pm Lights out means:
After lesson time boarders should indicate their whereabouts on campus using Boardingware. No boarders should be in the House during lesson time.
6.
‘Lights out’ for Lower Sixth at 10.30pm.
7.
‘Lights out’ for Upper Sixth at 10.45pm.
•
Boarders in their bedclothes.
•
No music playing.
•
Telephone conversations to be finished. Minimal use of mobile devices will be strongly encouraged.
•
Laptops only to be used for academic work.
•
Side lights on.
Boarders are expected to remain in their rooms from lights out unless there is an emergency.
Evening Bedtime Routine Time to go to Bedrooms
Lights out
L6
U6
L6
U6
Sunday to Thursday
10.00pm
10.15pm
10.30pm
10.45pm
Friday
10.30pm
10.30pm
10.45pm
10.45pm
Saturday
11.00pm
11.00pm
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Lights out boarders’ discretion
Boarder’s Responsibilities
Exeats
•
Each boarder is expected to do a duty in the house roughly once a fortnight. This involves tidying the common room and kitchen and loading the dishwasher.
1.
•
There is a washing machine and dryer in the house which the boarders may use. They should sign up on the rota provided and make sure the room is kept tidy and remove washing once it is dry.
or 2.
Sunday
House staff check on boarders in their rooms at 9.00am. Formal registration at 12 noon, 6.00pm and 10.00pm/ 10.45pm.
Boarders must sign out in the exeat book when leaving and sign back in on return. Having signed back in, returning boarders must report to the staff on duty in person immediately.
House staff check on boarders in their rooms at 9.00am. Formal registration at 12 noon, 5.30pm and 8.00pm.
All Boarders should return by 8.00pm on a Sunday evening and by 5.30pm for a Day Exeat.
Duty Nights for Non-Resident Housestaff
Weekly Boarders It is assumed that a weekly Boarder goes home for Friday and Saturday nights and returns by 8pm on a Sunday. Or for Saturday and Sunday nights, and returns to School in time for 8.25am registration on Monday morning. The School has no responsibility for those pupils during the time of exeat. Should you wish your daughter to go home for the Friday night and return Monday morning then the Senior Housemistress must be informed in writing by 6.30pm on the Thursday preceding the weekend.
When non-resident Housestaff leave duty after lights out, Miss Paver, and occasionally the resident assistant, will be on call throughout the night.
Town Leave •
Boarders may go down to town during the week after lessons only in exceptional circumstances. Boarders are expected to be back in time for supper. Permission must be given by a member of house staff.
•
Friday night: Boarders may go to town after prep at 8.00pm and should be back in the house in good order by 10.00pm. (tbc)
•
Boarders may go into town on Saturday and Sunday. Boarders are expected to be present for all registrations.
•
Saturday night: Boarders may go to town after the 6.30pm check. Lower sixth form boarders are expected back by 10.00pm in good order. Upper sixth form boarders are expected back by 10.45pm in good order.
•
A Day Exeat, e.g. to visit Bristol or London during the weekend.
The Senior Housemistress must receive requests for weekend leave by 6.30pm on the Thursday preceding the weekend. A request must be supported by written permission by parents or guardians, and the host if applicable, by Thursday at the latest.
Registration times for boarders on the weekend Saturday
This covers a pupil wishing to have overnight weekend leave on a Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday.
Visits To Bath Boarders are allowed to visit Bath during the week and at weekends, but the following should be noted:
There is no town leave on a Sunday night. All boarders are expected back in house by 8.00pm.
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•
Weekday visits after lessons should be kept to a minimum and only when absolutely necessary.
•
Permission must be sought for each visit.
•
Pupils must sign out and back in.
•
Weekdays return time is by 6.00pm.
•
Weekend return times are 5.30pm (see separate sheet).
School Meals
Name Labels
All meals are compulsory with the exception of Saturday lunch, supper and Sunday Brunch.
All clothing worn at School should be clearly named. It is helpful for Boarders to have an extra stock of labels for new garments that are purchased. The Matrons are happy to label items of clothing for the Boarders.
•
Breakfast is provided in the House on a Saturday.
•
On Sunday a Brunch is served mid morning.
•
Boarders are encouraged to cook together on a Saturday night as part of the weekend entertainment.
•
The kitchen can be used for preparing snacks throughout the week, but cooking meals to replace those provided by school is not allowed.
•
Food should be eaten in the kitchen or the House Common Room, not in the bedrooms.
Laundry Boarders are encouraged to use the School Laundry Service. However, the House does have a washing machine which the Boarders may use for any specific items that they wish to wash.
Travel Arrangements A Travel Arrangement Form is provided by the School, by e-mail, to enable Parents and Guardians to indicate travel arrangement details for each Half Term and Full Term Holiday. It is very helpful to receive these details by post, fax or email by the dates given.
Domestic Appliances Any electrical equipment that your daughter brings to School will undergo a safety check by the School electricians; should unsafe equipment be found it will be removed from use. If you plan to bring any portable equipment with you, e.g. laptops, hair-dryers, etc. can you please ensure, as far as is practicably possible, that the power supply cable is in good condition; that the plug is not damaged or corroded; that the flex has no signs of tears/breaks; and is either the original cable supplied or a replacement approved by the manufacturer of the equipment to be used. Please check that all equipment, including chargers, will function appropriately using the 240 Volt supply in the UK. Your power cable should also be fitted with the correct size fuse – 3 amp for equipment below 700 Watts, and a 13 amp fuse for anything over 700 Watts.
Guests A Guest is someone who is not a member of School House. Only School House Boarders are allowed upstairs.
Boarders are not allowed to use kettles or any other kitchen appliance within their bedrooms. The House has a fully equipped kitchen and your daughter should ask for assistance if she is unsure on how to operate any appliance. This includes the use of the washing machine and dryer.
Medication, Passports and Money Any Boarders bringing in medication, passports and money should hand these in to the Senior Housemistress on their arrival at school. Passports and money will be locked away for safe-keeping in the house office. Medication should not be kept by boarders unless this has been discussed and agreed with the staff at the Medical Centre. The Senior Housemistress will keep any medication and dispense of it as necessary.
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1.
Pupils from other Houses The guidelines are one guest per person. The Host signs in the Guest on the Guest Sheet and is responsible for their Guest’s behaviour.
2.
Boys are welcome but the above rules apply. If a boy visits, the host should introduce him to the Housestaff on arrival.
3.
Parents and family members (not at Kingswood) If parents visit, they should be introduced to Housestaff on arrival and signed in the appropriate book. No visitors should enter the upstairs boarding area. The exception to this is the beginning and end of term to help with luggage.
4.
Non-Kingswood visitors A person who is not a member of the Kingswood community may not be invited into the House without prior arrangement with the Senior Housemistress. They should on arrival, sign in at Reception.
House Routines and Rules In addition to the School Community Code, the following rules are specific to School House to help with the smooth running of the House in a harmonious manner. 1.
Girls are expected to behave with good sense, good manners and good will at all times.
2.
Friendliness, helpfulness and sensitivity to others is expected of all girls.
3.
All girls are expected to co-operate with staff and prefects in their duties.
4.
Girls are expected to support School House events and competitions.
5.
The House common room is a Phone Free Zone (no mobile devices are allowed except during supervised prep times).
6.
All school meals are compulsory, with the exception of Saturday meals and Sunday brunch for boarders.
7.
Meal times are to be strictly adhered to.
8.
During prep, girls are expected to work silently. The use of headphones are only permitted in consultation with House staff.
9.
Visitors from other houses are welcome as long as they follow the guidelines set out in the Guest Signing –In Book. The host is responsible for their good behaviour.
15. *Boarders must sign in/out of the house if they have an external activity, during the evenings and weekends. 16. *Boarders should observe the times to be back in the House. 17. Boarders should be in their bedrooms and should be quiet after lights out. Nobody should be out of bed after lights out, except to visit the toilet, or in an emergency. 18. Boarders should not make or receive calls after bedtime 19. Mobile phones and laptops should not be used after lights out. 20. Each boarder is responsible for making her own bed in the morning and keeping her area of the bedroom tidy. 21. Each boarder must remove personal belongings from the communal areas at the end of each day. 22. No girl should be in the House during lessons without specific permission from a member of the House staff. 23. No visitors are allowed upstairs in the bedrooms. 24. No candles or naked flames are allowed in the bedrooms.
10. Pupils are responsible for any damage to soft furnishings due to negligent behaviour and will be expected to pay for any damage.
25. 18 certificate films are not to be shown in the House. Other videos/DVDs may be played with the House staff’s permission.
11. Any damage should be reported to House staff immediately. 12. Everyone should ensure that rubbish is put in bins.
26. Applications for weekend exeats, together with accompanying emails/letters, must be made by Thursday 6.30pm prior to the relevant weekend.
13. Only sixth formers may use the kitchen and should tidy up after themselves and put any used crockery and cutlery in the dishwasher.
27. *Smoking, bringing alcohol into the House or being out of the House after hours are all considered very serious breaches of trust, and will be dealt with accordingly.
14. Food should be eaten from a plate or a bowl and should not be taken upstairs to the bedrooms.
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Sanctions
House Colours
•
If any of the above rules are broken a warning will be given.
•
Following 2 warnings a boarder will be punished by reporting at 7.30am fully dressed to Miss Paver in the house office.
House colours are awarded to any pupil in School House who has gone ‘above and beyond’ the normal expectation of behaviour and involvement in school and house activities.
•
Day pupils will be given a house gating.
•
*Strict observation should be made of these rules and if broken they will be dealt with swiftly with the involvement of the SMT.
A badge with the House emblem is presented to the recipient of the award and may be worn on their school blazer/jacket.
Out Of Bounds Any areas outside of the school campus are considered to be out of bounds. Boarders should seek permission from a member of the house staff to access these areas. Boarders should sign out in the house signing out/in book. Any boarder accessing out of bounds areas without permission will be punished as stated in the Parent/Pupil Handbook.
Rules on alcohol, smoking and drugs are clearly explained in the Pupil and Parent Handbook. Pupils are expected to know and follow these rules.
House Sanctions There is a House Sanctions book where misdemeanours are recorded, with any action that is taken.
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Uniform The School's dress regulations are intended to ensure that pupils are dressed tidily and in a business-like fashion during the working day. Full details of current dress regulations are in the Pupil Parent Handbook. However, please note the following: •
We prefer hair not to be dyed at all. However, if hair is dyed, it should be dyed only in a single natural colour. A pupil must expect to be sent home if hair dye leads to an inappropriate appearance in our opinion. Hair bands and clips may be worn but must be completely plain. Shaven heads, No 1 and No 2 haircuts are not permitted.
Dress Code and Requirements for Years 7–11 We want our community to be as purposeful and professional in appearance as is possible during the working day. This means that we expect pupils to look as smart as they can. The main points in this respect are as follows:
•
Body art tattoos of any description, whether permanent or temporary, are unacceptable.
All Pupils
•
In Years 7-11 make-up may not be worn during School time. Sixth Form pupils may wear discreet make-up if they wish.
School Wear: this is for lesson time, meals, week-day wear, visits to other schools, special occasions and certain School functions. It consists of:
•
Earrings are expected to be inconspicuous; only a matching pair of studs may be worn and they should be simple and small, and without any dangling attachments. If ears are pierced there should be only one hole in each ear and the piercing must be carried out under the supervision of parents or guardians. It must not, under any circumstances, be done by other pupils.
•
Pupils are not permitted to wear tongue, nose or eyebrow studs or indeed any visible piercing judged unsuitable.
•
One ring may be worn on each hand, but these will have to be removed for safety reasons in some lessons. Rings should be of simple style and reasonably small size.
•
A single simple bracelet may be worn on each wrist.
•
Non-School badges, visible necklaces or ankle chains must not be worn with School uniform.
•
Boarders may wear casual clothes at weekends and Sixth Formers, both day and boarding, may change into casual clothes at 4.20pm each day. There is no specific restriction on the type of casual clothes worn or the amount to be brought, but common sense should prevail over the choice.
1.
Black school blazer with School crest.
2.
Charcoal V-neck pullover.
3.
White shirt (long or short sleeve) with School tie. or
4.
White blouse (3/4 sleeve open rever collar).
5.
Charcoal grey trousers with plain grey or black socks. or
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6.
Tartan school skirt, no shorter than 3” from centre of the knee with black tights (optional grey or white socks in the Summer Term).
7.
Black leather shoes (not flat, heel must not be higher than 2”. Boots, suede shoes, trainers and casual shoes are not acceptable).
8.
School scarf (optional).
9.
Hair should be tied back, if necessary, with only a plain band, slide or grip. Scarves, ‘scrunchies’ or decorative slides are not suitable.
House Events
Sixth Form Formal Wear: This is for special occasions – e.g., certain Kingswood functions, visits to other schools and interviews. It consists of: 1.
A dark tailored suit (i.e., black, grey, or navy jacket and trousers or skirt of the same material). The hem of the skirt should not be more than 3" above the centre of the knee.
2.
A white long-sleeved tailored ‘business’ shirt (which must be tucked in).
3.
School tie.
4.
A plain, dark V-neck pullover may be worn.
5.
Polished black leather shoes. The heels should not be more than 3" high. Stiletto heels are not permitted for either formal or school wear. Trainer style shoes and casual shoes are not acceptable.
6.
Black socks (when wearing trousers).
7.
Plain flesh-coloured or plain dark tights (when wearing a skirt).
8.
If a Colours jacket is worn on a formal occasion, the formal trousers or skirt must be plain black or grey.
9.
If a belt is worn it must be either black or brown.
Typically every year sees a number of Inter-House Competitions involving all year groups.
A shirt which buttons at the neck and which has a stiff collar, or a shirt which has a Rever collar. Shirts may be plain or small checked or striped and must be tucked in.
3.
A tie must be worn with a stiff collar shirt.
4.
A plain V-neck pullover may be worn.
5.
Socks (when wearing trousers).
6.
Plain flesh-coloured or plain dark tights (when wearing a skirt).
7.
Shoes should be of a dark single colour. Heels should not be more than 3” high. Boots, slingbacks, backless shoes, trainer style shoes, moccasin-type shoes and casual shoes are not acceptable.
8.
A non-school scarf may be worn, although not in lessons, the dining hall or assembly.
9.
If a belt is worn it must be either black or brown.
Spring Term
House Cross-Country House Netball
Summer Term
House Swimming Gala Sports Day – House Athletics House Tennis
House Levy A charge of £10 per term for Boarders and £5 for day pupils is added to the School Bill. This levy helps to finance House Trips and Parties throughout the year.
A dark tailored suit (i.e., black, grey, or navy jacket and trousers or skirt of the same material). The hem of the skirt should not be more than 3" above the centre of the knee.
2.
House Music Competition House Debating Competition House Hockey
House trips and functions also happen in conjunction with our paired house, Upper House, at least once a term. These have included: Bowling, Ice-Skating, Shopping, Paint-Balling, Curry nights, Quiz nights and Theatre Trips. There is also a joint house event at the end of each term. This takes the form of Wide games in the Autumn term, a Quiz night in the Spring term and a BBQ and farewell to Leavers in the Summer term.
School Wear: 1.
Autumn Term
Hosting Boarders We are very grateful to families who invite boarders to stay at the weekend. It is important that Senior Housestaff receive a written request by 6.30pm on the Thursday preceding a weekend. This is so that all necessary arrangements can be fully checked. The letter should contain precise details about times of leaving and return to the School, the travel arrangements, and the supervision. Some details about the reason for the visit are helpful. It is also vital that the host address and telephone numbers are given
Additional Information Pupil And Parent Handbook Further information regarding Personal Matters, School Policies and School Rules can be obtained from the Pupil and Parent Handbook.
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Fire Instructions – School House Main School fire and assembly instructions are posted throughout the school and house notice board. The following instructions refer to times when you are based in the house/bedrooms in the evenings and at weekends. Please read the following carefully and know where your nearest FIRE EXIT is. There are three exits on the dormitory level and one on the lower floor. Assembly point is at the FRONT OF SCHOOL. On hearing the Fire Alarm: 1.
You must leave the house by the most convenient exit.
2.
Proceed quietly and efficiently to the assembly point - do not stop to collect personal items from your rooms.
3.
Assemble at the front of school.
4.
Answer your name when it is called out by a member of Housestaff.
5.
Do not re-enter the building unless told to do so by a member of Housestaff.
Note: It may be helpful to have a pair of slippers and dressing gown conveniently placed near your bed. U-J Paver, July 2021
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