House Handbook Westwood House - Y7 & Y8 Boarding 2021/2022
Information to Parents and Guardians
CONTENTS Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 7 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 10 Page 11 Page 11 Page 11 Page 11 Page 11 Page 12 Page 12 Page 12 Page 12 Page 12 Page 12 Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 13 Page 14 Page 14 Page 14 Page 14 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 17
History of Westwood House Welcome from Mr Duke - Boarding Housemaster, Westwood House Role of House Staff Matrons Contacting Westwood House Start of Year Arrangements Role of Boarding House Captains Role of Boarding House Prefects Boarders’ Weekday Routine Boarders’ Weekend Routine Signing in and out of the House Visitors to Westwood House Weekend Arrangements Boarders’ Trips Boarders visiting Day Pupils Prep Arrangements Music Practice Medical Centre Medicines Westwood Chores Holiday and Travel Arrangements Dormitory and Bathroom Areas Casual Clothing PE and Games Swimming and Clothing Laundry Possessions Gadgets Storage of Equipment Lost Property Damage to Property Use of Dormitories The use of other rooms in Westwood Mail Food Birthdays Summer Term Exchange with Kingswood College, Grahamstown, South Africa House Fund Award System in Westwood Out of Bounds Boarders’ Voice Westwood Boarding Rules Sanctions Westwood House – Fire Instructions Worries and Complaints
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History of Westwood House According to the Kingswood School Archives Westwood House was the gift of the Posnett family to Kingswood School in 1933. The building was extended to accommodate the then 70 boarders. The Master in Charge of Westwood in 1933 wrote “the general aim of Westwood is to produce a free and happy atmosphere where common sense and service are guiding rules to allow ‘boys’ (as it was just then) to develop to the full, not only in book learning, but in Education in the widest sense”. Westwood House has been co-educational since 1999 and in the Kingswood in Focus (magazine) Edition in December 1999, the editor wrote “there is such a positive and bright start to senior school being provided by House staff at Westwood” and it remains today still a happy environment in which boys and girls who board aged 9 -13 develop their many friendships, diverse personalities and wide-ranging skills in a familyorientated environment. We hope to have 45 casual, flexi, weekly or termly boarders in our care, but have capacity for 51.
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Welcome from Mr Duke – Boarding Housemaster, Westwood House I am delighted you have chosen to send your child to join the Westwood House boarding community at Kingswood School. As Housemaster I look forward to getting to know your child with my wife, Satoko and my excellent team of assistants, Mrs Nicola Curtis (responsible for girls) and Mr Matthew Thatcher. They will also liaise effectively and frequently with your child’s tutor. There are also a number of non-resident teaching staff who take evening duties and Westwood is staffed during the day by Mrs Hollywell (previously the resident Housemistress) and the two Westwood matrons: Jodi Francis and Rebecca Harrington-Wills. 2021-22 marks an exciting new cross-Foundation venture with our prep school boarders joining us in Westwood. We very much hope our boarders in Year 7 and 8 will be good role models for our younger boarders; some will be siblings! I hope this handbook will answer many of questions you will have and serve to reassure you and your child(ren).
We are committed and determined to providing the very best pastoral care for your child as they board. We have really enjoyed our first 4 years in post and we hope your child will also thrive at Kingswood School and see Westwood as their home in term time. There is a real focus on family with two resident staff living in the house with their respective families, and another close by, and all boarders will have plenty of interaction with these families. These staff will keep a very close eye on your child and they should feel able to approach any of these staff day or night.
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The Role of House Staff Roderick Duke
Assistant House Staff – Evening Duties
Boarding Housemaster, Westwood House.
The staff below support Westwood boarders through evening duties Monday – Friday.
Mr Duke and his wife, Satoko Suzui, live in Westwood with their daughter, Eleanor, who is in Year 13. Mr Duke works very closely with Mr Harding, Head of Boarding (DHarding@kingswood.bath.sch.uk).
Mr Luke Lorimer Mr Oliver East Mrs Elaine Francis Miss Antonia Tamblyn Mrs Satoko Suzui
Mr Duke joined the Kingswood staff in 2003 and started in Westwood as a Year 7 Tutor and a nonresident assistant housemaster in 2006. He was Head of Languages between 2006 - 2016. He became Assistant Resident Housemaster in 2012 and took over the main boarding role in September 2017. He is always available either using the telephone numbers supplied or via email. He will be in contact with boarding parents collectively on a weekly basis via a Westwood Boarding Update email or via the House Twitter feed @Westwoodboarding He will do his fortnightly weekend duties with his wife. (rduke@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Maths Teacher DT Teacher Music Teacher Drama Assistant Mr Duke’s wife
The following staff may sometimes cover the staff listed above. Mr Darrell Harding Miss Sophie Hay Mr Dan Cater
Head of Boarding Graduate Sports Assistant Graduate Sports Assistant
Non-Resident House Matron
Nicola Curtis
Mrs Ceri Hollywell is non-resident in Westwood and helps with the supervision of all Westwood pupils in conjunction with the Head of Lower School and the Westwood Boarding Housemaster. She can be contacted between 8.00am – 6.00pm (Monday – Thursday) and 8.00am – 1.00pm (Friday) on the numbers provided.
Senior Resident Assistant Boarding Housemistress of Westwood with responsibility for girls and Assistant Head of Lower School. Mrs Curtis arrived at Kingswood School in September 2016 as Head of Academic PE, having previously been a Head of Lower School at another day and boarding school. She is now Assistant Head of the Lower School with oversight for all the girls in Westwood She lives with her husband, Tom, and two sons, Sunny and Billy, in the accommodation on the left of Westwood House. Mrs Curtis will share her fortnightly weekend duties with Mr Thatcher. (ncurtis@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
Matrons Rebecca Harrington-Wills & Jason Seymour are our two other wonderful matrons. The dormitories in Westwood are kept in an excellent condition by them. They are not only responsible for the cleaning and the laundry, but they also always keep a friendly and watchful eye on all the boarders. The resident staff liaise frequently with the matrons to support all the boarders. Your son or daughter should feel able to speak to any of the Westwood staff at any time.
Matthew Thatcher – Resident Assistant Boarding Housemaster of Westwood. Mr Thatcher joined Kingswood in January 2012 and has served as Head of RPE since September 2013. He has been a Westwood tutor since September 2014 and a non-resident assistant Housemaster for 5 years. Currently, he lives across the road with his wife, Sara, and young family. Mr Thatcher will share his fortnightly weekend duties with Mrs Curtis. (mthatcher@kingswood.bath.sch.uk)
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Contacting Westwood House House Address
Westwood House Fonthill Road Lansdown Bath BA1 5RQ
Phone Numbers Duty telephone
01225 734487 Answered by staff outside of lessons
House mobile
07436 152347 Answered by duty staff in the evenings at the weekends. Boarders and boarders’ parents should store this number!
Boarding Office
01225 734443
If you wish to contact Mr Duke at home, please call 01225 734488 If you wish to contact Mrs Curtis at home, please call 01225 734490 Mr Stephen Pentreath, Head of Lower School – responsibility for the day pupils in Westwood. Mr Pentreath can be contacted via SPentreath@kingswood.bath.sch.uk or 01225 734486.
Unless the matter relates to boarding the first point of contact will be with the tutor. You will be sent your child’s tutor’s contact details in the first week of term. The best time to call resident house staff in the morning is from 7.45am – 8.15am or from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Email is often quicker. The House is staffed during the day by Mrs Hollywell and the matrons, so messages from boarders’ parents can be left. During prep times Monday to Thursday, please note that the house is empty from 6.00pm – 7.40pm. Evening duty staff are around until 9.15pm (9.30pm in the summer term). .
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for the post and have specific responsibilities and duties. It is hoped this will help develop a greater sense of leadership and responsibility. These pupils will receive a badge to show their role in the term they are in office. With younger boarders they are expected to be helpful older siblings.
Start of Year Arrangements Information regarding this will come to you via Mr Pentreath, Head of Lower School, and Mrs Patterson, Head of Admissions. Mr Harding, Head of Boarding, will be in touch about a welcome for new Overseas Boarders, pending Covid restrictions.
Role of Boarding House Prefects To support the boarders and boarding about thirty Year 12 prefects are carefully selected to help ensure Westwood boarding runs very smoothly; these older pupils act as role models for Westwood boarders. These prefects support all Westwood boarders in the weekday evenings and also during the weekends.
Westwood House Boarding Captains Each term at least one girl and one boy boarder in Year 8 will be appointed Boarding Captain. These pupils will be briefly interviewed by the Westwood Boarding staff
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House Daily Routine The daily and weekend pattern for boarders is clearly set out on the main house notice boards. Pupils are expected to turn up promptly for all meals (attendance at meals is compulsory) to show good eating habits, to be organised for lessons, and be prompt for registration, assemblies and lessons. MONDAY – FRIDAY 7.00am 7.25am 7.30am 8.10am 8.25am 8.40am 5.30pm 6.10pm 6.15pm 7.15pm 7.30pm 8.30pm
8.35pm 9.00pm 9.15pm
Boarders wake up Boarders complete chores, if relevant Boarders go to breakfast accompanied by one resident member of staff Boarders downstairs Registration for all pupils School routine begins Boarders head to supper Boarders head to New Building, with all their books, to complete prep accompanied by 2 member(s) of staff and two prefects. (Please note Friday prep takes place in the House) Prep begins after registration Music Practice accompanied by prefect (return at 7.45pm to Westwood) Back to Westwood for showers, tuck (twice a week) and down time Evening Meeting (8.45pm in the summer term) Registration and collection of all devices which are locked away overnight under supervision of prefect Boarders complete chores, if relevant All boarders in beds reading Lights-out/Prefects leave (9.30pm in the summer term)
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SATURDAY 8.00am 8.25am 8.30am 9.00am 10.00am 10.15am 12.15pm 1.00pm 1.15pm 4.00 – 4.30pm 5.30pm 6.20pm 7.15pm 8.15pm 9.15pm 9.30pm 9.20pm 9.30pm
Boarders get up Boarders complete chores, if relevant Breakfast in House Boarders’ Swimming Pupils go to matches as recorded on team sheet and liaise with duty staff Boarders’ registration & explanation about plans for the weekend. Activity – sport or creative/cooking Boarders go to lunch accompanied by one resident member of staff Meeting with prefects – registration and pocket money dispensed Town leave with prefects (slight change in summer term) Pupils sign back in (5.00pm in the summer term) Boarders head to supper with second wave of prefects Evening meeting/registration House film (family time/digital detox) Snacks Boarders complete chores, if relevant Final register taken by staff. Collection of all devices which are locked away overnight All boarders in beds reading having brushed teeth. Lights out/Prefects leave. (9.45pm in the summer term.)
SUNDAY 8.00am 8.25am 8.30 – 9.30am 9.00 - 10.00am 10.15am 11.00am 12:00 – 1.00pm 4.30 – 5.00pm 5.30pm 6.20pm 6.30pm 7.25pm 7.30 – 8.30pm 8.30pm 8.35pm 9.00pm 9.15pm
House staff wake up boarders Boarders complete chores, if relevant Breakfast in the Westwood Kitchen Boarders’ registration & explanation about plans for the weekend. Activity in the sports hall Boarders head to Brunch accompanied by one resident member of staff Depart on trip by minibus or coach after meeting to dispense money and registration Approximate return from trip. Two prefects arrive to do duty with staff. Boarders go to supper with prefects Evening meeting/registration Quiet hour – do prep, tidy dorms, get ready for new school week (we sometimes do this in the morning if our trip comes back later) Boarders’ Swimming Showers, snacks and down time Evening Meeting (8.45pm in the summer term) Registration and collection of all devices which are locked away overnight Boarders complete chores, if relevant All boarders in beds reading Lights-out/Prefects leave (9.30pm in the summer term)
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Please note there are sometimes extra consent forms required by outdoor activity centres which must be completed and signed by parents or guardians. All the Sunday trips are heavily subsidised by the school but do have cost implications for parents.
Signing in and out of the House It is possible for boarders to go to town in groups and with prefects on Saturday afternoons. There is more freedom for Year 8 pupils. Year 7 pupils gain more freedom in the summer term. Pupils must make sure they speak to the member of staff on duty before leaving the house and a register is kept at the weekend. Pupils must sign in with the member of staff on their return. In the Summer term, if pupils want to play outside after prep, they must seek the permission of the member of staff on duty.
We will occasionally plan for more expensive trips e.g. Thorpe Park. To help us plan efficiently, we do need advance notice if any boarders will be away from School for the weekend.
Boarders visiting Day Pupils If you would like to allow your child to visit a friend’s home, please email Mr Duke by the Thursday morning preceding the weekend to confirm arrangements (proposed times of collection and return and any names of hosts/drivers). I will also need an email from the host parents if your child is visiting a friend. I remind you that team or other school responsibilities must come first, and pupils must ensure that nothing is missed.
Visitors Parents and/or guardians are welcome to visit Westwood. Any parent/guardian/visitor must sign in on the table in the Westwood Foyer on the ground floor. Parents may only enter dormitories under guidance from boarding staff on first and final days of the School year. There is a visitor’s toilet on the ground floor.
Prep Arrangements
Weekend Arrangements
Prep time takes place after supper from 6.15pm – 7.30pm. Boarders are allowed to do their prep in house on Friday and Sunday evenings and in the New Building opposite Westwood between Monday and Thursday, supervised by prefects and a member of staff. Staff will check what prep is set on Firefly and are always happy to answer queries, as can prefects and fellow boarders. Westwood boarders are expected to do their prep to the best of their ability and to submit it on time. Boarders have access to laptops and tablets. Westwood boarders are always very good at helping casual boarders or day pupils, who stay to do prep, with the usual routines.
Activities are provided every weekend for boarders, but since these may include trips out of Westwood it is essential to know if boarders are not going to be in the House at the weekend. Weekend arrangements should be confirmed by email by Thursday morning. Any late notification may result in costs being incurred. It should be noted that weekly boarders should not arrive back before the times specified as there may well be no one in the House if boarders are on a trip. We are usually back by 5.00pm from trips. Prefects are usually available from 4.30pm. The weekly email from Mr Duke will remind parents about return times on Sundays. If in doubt, always call the House mobile 07436 152347
Music Practice Boarders who receive individual music tuition must go the Music School on the allocated days (weekly information is sent out by the Music Secretary regarding the times of these). This information is posted in the House, too. Pupils are escorted there and back by a prefect to evening practice; please note there is a simple practice room in Westwood with a piano which pupils are encouraged to use at the weekends when the Music School is closed.
Boarders’ Trips Most full boarder trips take place on a Sunday afternoon and might typically include: the cinema, laser tag, climbing, the theatre, Segway, ten pin bowling, WWT, Slimbridge, Outlet shopping, Crazy Golf etc. If there is space on coach for such a trip there may be an opportunity for other boarders to join. Once a term we go on a whole day trip to a theme park or an outdoor activities centre. The cost of all these trips throughout the year should not exceed £275 in total. We may explore the possibility of a PGL style trip in the summer term 2022 at a larger extra cost.
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Medical Centre
Dormitory and Bathroom Areas
Westwood pupils should note the arrangements on the main Westwood notice board for visiting the Medical Centre. A list is posted each morning on the whiteboard in the entrance hall with the names of pupils (day and boarders) who must visit the Medical Centre that day.
Boys and girls have their own dormitories and bathroom areas. On NO occasion should boys visit the girls’ dormitories or bathroom areas or girls visit the boys’ dormitories or bathroom areas. There are separate toilets for visitors and Staff on the ground floor and second floor that should not be used by pupils. The water in the bathrooms is drinking water.
If Westwood boarders are taken ill overnight they should seek out the member of staff on duty (pupils know the rota and shown the door bells) and the Medical Centre may be contacted. If a boarder requires overnight care they will be accommodated in the Medical Centre for treatment and parents will be informed if necessary.
Each pupil will have the following items provided by the School: •
A single wardrobe (please think carefully how much clothing your child really needs!)
Medicines
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A single bed and mattress
There is a lockable cupboard which holds first aid, general medicines and pupil specific medicines. Boarders are not permitted to keep any medicines or supplements in the dormitories without the express permission of the Medical Centre. All medication is recorded on the School’s admin system called ISAMS. Staff liaise with Medical Centre about any concerns.
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A desk and chair
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A small plastic tuck box for food – pupils do not have extra space to store more and can regularly purchase tuck items at the weekends.
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A drawer under the bed for casual clothing
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A plastic box kept under the bed for games clothing
Westwood Chores Westwood boarders take it in turns each half-term to carry out small chores to help the smooth running of the house first thing in the morning and shortly before lights out. These are decided at the start of each halfterm and posted in the boarding area. This system encourages pupils to take some responsibility for communal areas.
Boarders are encouraged to bring a small box which has a padlock for personal items. Each boarder has access to a locker on the ground or first floor and they can also lock their cupboards or a draw in their desk; this must be used for precious items. Due to this provision, the School is not liable if items go missing. Each Westwood boarder has a pin board by their bed and are encouraged to personalise areas in the dormitories using drawing pins and Blu-tack to decorate with photographs and suitable posters. Personal photographs may also be kept on desks. During the year we sometimes change the dorm plans to improve friendships. Same sex siblings will not always be together in the same dorm.
Holiday and Travel Arrangements Please indicate your child’s holiday arrangements for the coming year or term, by completing the pro-forma that will be sent to you by the School office. It should contain details of the person picking up, precise dates and times, and methods of travel. The School dates are pre-published and should be adhered to where possible. If, due to exceptional circumstances, your child needs to miss School to travel home or to a guardian etc. please contact the Headmaster to obtain permission via lwaltham@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
A full list of required clothing is provided. In addition, all boarders need a wash bag which is kept in the wardrobe. Individual items are not to be left out in the dormitories. Please use sew-in labels for all clothing as marker pen wears off! Electrical equipment can be dangerous and must be checked by the School Maintenance Department. This is usually undertaken in September. Overseas boarders, please ensure you comply with the BSA safety regulations for electrical appliances. Make sure you have plugs, not adaptors and label them.
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Westwood staff will check this happens. Westwood House does have spare items if sports kit gets very dirty and there is a washing machine in Westwood which can be operated by House staff and Matrons when a problem arises.
Casual Clothing Boarders will need casual clothing but, as space is limited, boarders should not bring too many items to School. If trainers are dirty, they should be cleaned before taking them up to the dormitories. If clothes are wet, pupils should ask the Matrons to dry them. They should not be left in the dormitories. Westwood boarders will clean their shoes outside on Sunday evenings and should have black polish and the necessary equipment to do this.
Possessions Personal monies and articles of considerable value pose security problems. Boarders in Westwood are free to bring MP3/4 players, though personal televisions are forbidden. Lap-top computers and tablets are also a major part of ‘everyday’ equipment, as are mobile phones; while Westwood boarders are free to bring the above equipment with them, borrowing and lending is strongly discouraged and the owner must be entirely responsible for his own property.
PE and Games We sincerely hope that Westwood boarders will have many opportunities during the week for physical exercise. This can be done either within the school curriculum or during the activity sessions, some of which will take place early in the morning e.g. cricket coaching, swimming and tennis in the summer term. Having an alarm is useful (not on a phone). Boarding staff will show the Westwood boarders how to take care of their equipment and kit in the first few weeks and it is hoped your son or daughter will quickly learn these routines. They must not leave bags lying around the school.
Every pupil has a lockable space. Expensive items can be locked in the Westwood safe and staff & prefects collect in all gadgets at the end of each day. Money, passports, biometric cards/important documents and air tickets MUST BE KEPT in the House safe. These will be signed in and out by pupils and are always collected in at the start of term/half-term. Pupils must not keep more than £5 in the dormitories in their wallets.
There are sports fixtures every weekend and Westwood boarders are often involved. If you live quite close to school, please feel free to come and support your son or daughter. The team sheets are put up in Westwood and along with the school calendar an updated fixture list is in the weekly school newsletter published on Thursdays and website with relevant phone numbers in case of emergencies. Please contact the PE staff if there are any problems with availability or general queries.
All Westwood boarders must ensure that all their possessions are named and kept in the correct places. This might be a locked a locked trunk or school book locker or locked wardrobe. Valuable possessions (cameras, laptops, etc.) must be handed in to House Staff. All valuables must be insured as the House cannot accept responsibility for these items. Pupils may have their own bank account with a cash card but must ensure that cards are kept in a locked place. Westwood House staff can dispense pocket money which is stored carefully in the Westwood safe. It can be obtained at the weekend and prior to a school event, if necessary. It is very helpful if this money is broken into £5 and £10 notes because shops are not delighted to give change for £50 notes and this is an awful lot of money for pupils to carry. It is helpful if parents specify how much a child should be allowed to spend each weekend. Unless a pupil is topping up a mobile phone, £10 a week ought to be enough.
Swimming and Clothing Over the weekend there are often opportunities to swim. On returning to Westwood, wet clothes should be placed in the basket below the Boarders' notice board. Boarders must also do this after swimming in games lessons. Some Sunday trips may also include swimming.
Laundry Bed linen is changed once a fortnight (usually on a Tuesday). Boarders change their own beds and put the dirty linen in the large white bags outside the dormitories.
Gadgets All electronic devices are collected in between 8.20pm - 8.30pm. They must be turned off and will NOT be charged overnight. They are locked away in a locker. Boarders have time before and after supper and prep to charge them. Gadgets are available from 7.15am Monday to Friday and after 8.00am - 8.30am at the weekends.
Each boarder must have their own laundry bag near their bed area. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, dirty laundry must be placed in the big white named laundry bags. It is important that all dirty clothes are handed in and that clothes are changed daily.
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therefore out of bounds. Similarly some day rooms are set aside as for boys only or girls only or year groups only.
Storage of Equipment Each pupil in Westwood has their own locker for storing books, usually in their tutor area. Games kit should be kept in a single named sports bag and stored on the games bag racks on the ground floor. All games equipment must be named. Musical instruments are stored in the Music School and not in Westwood. Boarders can store books on their desks and in their lockers on the ground or first floor. Each boarder also has a lockable space the dormitories. Boarders should not have craft knives in a pencil case.
Mail Post for Westwood pupils is delivered to the foyer and parcels to the boarding office. If pupils wish to send letters, they should have stamps.
Food Kingswood provides regular, balanced meals for all boarders. Most meals are eaten in the School Dining Hall. Staff are vigilant at meal times ensuring pupils eat healthily and in a balanced fashion. At the weekend, breakfast is taken in the House between 8.30 am - 9.30 am. Please note given the proximity of breakfast to brunch on a Sunday, breakfast is not compulsory on Sundays, but brunch, like all other meals, is.
Lost Property All property should be named. Lost property (if lost in Westwood) can be found in the lost property box on the ground floor. This should be checked first if property goes missing or is mislaid. There is also a central lost property office in main school. All pupils are discouraged from bringing in valuable items.
On a Saturday evening a snack is provided. Each evening after prep, food for boarders (e.g. Toast, spreads etc.) is available. Pupils must not use the toaster without supervision. Boarders must make sure that any food they purchase themselves is kept appropriately in their tuck box (provided by the House). ALL TUCK MUST BE NUT FREE!
Damage to Property We hope that all pupils will respect the building and facilities. In the event of something being broken or damaged it should be reported to the member of Staff on duty or to a Matron who will complete a maintenance form detailing the work to be done and, if necessary, naming the child to be charged. If appropriate, a sanction may also be applied.
Food should only be consumed in kitchen to ensure other areas of the House are kept clean! Pupils are able to replenish their tuck supplies in town at the weekend.
Use of Dormitories Dormitories are for the sole use of boarders and weekly/flexi boarders. Boarders are not allowed to go up to the dormitories without permission from a member of staff or a Matron from after breakfast until 5.00pm. from Monday to Friday. These rules are relaxed at the weekend. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils are not permitted in Year 7 and 8 dorms, and vice versa.
Toast is available every evening, but boarders are only permitted to consume noodles on FRIDAYS. The tuck box is deliberately small to control the amount of food being consumed and there is NO EXTRA SPACE to store excess food. Tuck is permitted midweek TWICE. We review our policy on tuck to encourage healthier eating habits so may well make changes during the year and value your support.
The use of other rooms in Westwood
Term time Birthdays
The lounge is available in the evenings for watching television/DVDs in free time. It is a mobile phone free zone. It has Wii and PS4 consoles which are always very popular. There is an additional TV room downstairs with DVD.
We celebrate all term time birthdays in the House. Boarders with term-time birthdays will receive a card, a modest edible gift and simple fairy cakes baked by Mrs Duke. We encourage parents to send weekly boarders in with cakes, or for cakes to be ordered and sent to Westwood on the occasion of the pupil’s birthday so your child can celebrate with friends. It may be that there is also cake for your child’s day friends, too. Pupils often share sweets with friends to mark birthdays. Some parents have arranged for pizzas to be delivered for 7.30pm on the day of a birthday. If you are sending a cake or pizzas, please liaise with house staff in advance and ensure that is nut free.
The games rooms, including two top quality pool tables, are available for boarders each evening and at weekends. The outdoor table tennis/patio area is available if the weather is good. Having a table tennis bat may be useful. Boarders may need to ask House staff for the equipment. Westwood House is shared with a number of families and some areas are clearly marked as private and
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There are also Kindness Pins awarded each week by resident staff for random acts of kindness. Small edible prizes are also added to these awards and the winners are mentioned in the weekly boarding update which goes to all boarders’ parents and guardians.
Summer Term Exchange with Kingswood College, Grahamstown, South Africa In the first half of the summer term, we welcome four Year 8 pupils from our sister school in South Africa. These carefully selected pupils have joined us in Westwood for the last 26 years and Westwood boarders look forward to their arrival and are excellent at making them feel at home. Four Kingswood pupils are paired with them and spend five weeks in July and August at Kingswood College, Grahamstown. These four Year 8 Westwood pupils could be boarders and/or day pupils.
A record of weekly winners is kept to encourage praise to be spread widely. All pupils are expected to behave courteously at all times, but when they go the extra mile a point goes against the boarder’s name and at the end of each half-term a small prize is awarded.
Out of Bounds The Kingswood campus is very extensive and boarders should familiarise themselves with those areas which are out of bounds. All boarders must not go into the woods without supervision, or to the Sports Hall or Swimming Pool. Boarders will be given a map of this and it will be clearly explained as part of the first day induction.
House Fund The House facilities include HD television, a DVD player, a stereo system, pool table, three computers (with skype facilities) and a well-equipped kitchen. The School provides each House with a small allowance to help towards the cost of these, but I also have to apply a small annual House levy, which helps to fund House entertainment, which is added to the School account: £10.00 per Boarder per term.
Boarders’ Voice In addition to the School Council and Boarders’ Meetings, Westwood boarders have opportunities to feedback on all aspects of how the House runs during some Sunday evening meetings. These minutes are recorded by the Captains of Boarding and staff then take these issues further with the aim of giving the boarders the best possible experience. A number of significant changes have taken place since September 2017. For a list of these, please ask resident staff.
Award System in Westwood To encourage considerate, positive and good behaviour there are to awards which are given out weekly. The Matrons’ Award is for the tidiest area in the dormitories and is chosen by Mrs Harrington-Wills.
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Westwood House – Boarding Rules In addition to the School Community Code and Westwood Day House ethos, the following are rules specific to Westwood boarding, or are a reiteration of School rules that are particularly important. 1.
Boarders 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 boarders.
3.
The boarders are expected to co-operate with the prefects and staff as they carry out their duties.
10. Only 12 certificate films and games are to be watched/played by boarders in the House.
4.
During prep, boarders work silently and may only listen to music from 7.00pm.
11. Applications for weekend exeats (leave), together with an accompanying email, must be made by the Thursday preceding the relevant weekend.
5.
All boarders should observe the times to be back in the House, 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.
12. Boarders are expected to be sensitive in their use of the House phone. Nobody should get calls after their bed times (after 9.00pm).
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8.
9.
Everyone is responsible for making their own bed in the morning and keeping their area of the room tidy. Everyone is responsible for making their own bed in the morning and keeping their area of the room tidy.
13. Tablet and Lap-top computers should not be used after lights out and should be used sensibly at all times. Boarders’ phones are collected in each evening by the relevant staff and prefects.
All boarders are responsible for doing their own washing up. Pupils who do kitchen chores are simply expected to do a final tidy and not to do other pupils’ washing up.
14. Items of value and sums of money over £5 should be deposited in the Westwood safe.
Food should be eaten with a plate and may only be consumed in the kitchen. Everyone should ensure that rubbish is put in the correct recycling bins.
15. Boarders are expected to support House events and competitions, in addition to school events whenever possible.
Only boys are allowed in boys’ dormitories and girls in girls’ dormitories.
16. Smoking or bringing alcohol into the House are considered very serious breaches of trust and will be dealt in line with school policy.
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Sanctions We hope that all Westwood boarders will want to contribute positively to the community and to support the smooth running of the House. We hope they will also support our desire to educate pupils in the safe and appropriate use of internet. All such sanctions are recorded in the sanctions’ spreadsheet which is counter-signed at the end of each term by the Head of Boarding.
The community code aims to create a friendly and supportive, well-structured House. It is essential that all the Westwood boarders use prep time productively, keep their areas reasonably tidy, are on time for House meetings, are considerate and polite at all times and get plenty of sleep hence why phones are collected in every evening. However, if a pupil misbehaves the following series of sanctions using a traffic light system will be used. Pupils are to be silent after lights out.
First Offence • Verbal warning and recorded in sanctions’ spreadsheet Second Offence • 15 minute community chore overseen by duty staff & recorded in sanctions’ spreadsheet
If Year 7 pupils return from town to the House in the company of Year 8 pupils all pupils in that group will lose town leave the following week and Year 8 pupils not in a group of three or more on their return will also face the same sanction. Failure to return on time from town will also result in town leave privilege being removed for a week. Failure to attend school meals will result in the loss of tuck box for a period of time. If such cases occur parents will be informed by email.
Failure to attend a school meal would result in tuck box being removed for 24 hours, but bread and cereal available
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Second Lateness to meeting results in gadgets being confiscated for a period of time, but house phone made available
Third Offence • 30 minute community chore overseen by Housemaster (could be after Music) recorded in sanctions’ spreadsheet
Repeated anti-social behaviour and failure to abide by House rules will lead to a formal meeting between Westwood Housemaster and Head of Boarding or Deputy Head. These serious offences follow the School policy and the correct sanction is given; this can mean loss of more free time, loss of town leave privilege, more community service, withdrawal from a boarding event or a full House gating. For sanctions regarding consumption and storage of food in dormitories, please see food section earlier in document.
Nature of Offence
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Failure to attend a second school meal would result in tuck box being removed for 48 hours, but bread and cereal available
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Repeated Lateness to meeting results in gadgets being confiscated for a longer period of time, but house phone made available.
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A third offence will always result in parents being informed.
First Offence
Second Offence
Third Offence
Gadget confiscated. Kept in boarding office for up to 24 hours. Pupils may call home from office phone. Parents emailed.
Gadget confiscated. Kept in boarding office for up to 24 hours. Pupils may call home from office phone. 15 minute detention and parents emailed
Gadget confiscated. Kept in boarding office for up to 24 hours. Pupils may call home from office phone. 30 minute detention and parents emailed.
Poor focus in prep Late to prep Forgetting equipment Lateness to House meetings Late to Breakfast (school sanctions applied/weekend meals (highly unlikely as staff and pupils attend together) Uncooperative at bed time and not ready by 9.15 pm Out of bed at talking after 10 pm in dorms* Reading after lights out at 10 pm Possession and use of gadget after lights out
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Westwood House Fire Procedures 1.
On Hearing the Fire Alarm:
All pupils take part in regular fire drills that take place both during the day and at night.
2.
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.
3.
Please read the following carefully and know where your nearest FIRE EXIT is. There are three exits on the ground floor of Westwood and fire exits in the large boys’ dormitory on the second floor and on the floor above in the girls’ dormitory.
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You must leave the house by the most convenient exit.
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Proceed quietly and efficiently to the assembly point - do not stop to collect personal items from your rooms. Assemble at the front of Westwood on the terrace.
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Answer your name when it is called out by a member of house staff.
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Do not re-enter the building unless told to do so by a member of house staff
Boarders should always have shoes on their feet in the house, but it might be helpful to have a pair of slippers and dressing gown conveniently placed near your bed if the fire alarm sounds whilst in the dormitories.
Assembly point is at the FRONT OF WESTWOOD ON THE TERRACE
Worries and Complaints Boarding issues can be raised by boarders through Captains of Boarding who meet with boarding staff regularly. There is a short weekly evening meeting chaired by our Captains of Boarding when we reflect on the boarding week just gone and it allows for concerns to also be raised; resident staff always follow up on such matters. Westwood representatives on the School Council can also raise issues with a member of the Senior Management Team. Obviously, if parents are concerned and have a complaint these can be made directly to the Westwood Boarding Housemaster, the Head of Boarding, Deputy Head, or Headmaster if necessary.
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