Use of the College Website

The Marlborough College website url is www.marlboroughcollege.org it is optimised to work on a variety of devices including phone, tablet and PC.

Through this portal the sites for the Marlburian Club (OMs), Marlborough Malaysia, Foundation and Summer School can be accessed.

The website is a crucial source for up-to-date information. It consists of two distinct areas.

1. The open/public area • Please visit and bookmark www.marlboroughcollege.org/parents a handy page of useful information including term dates, policy documents and school rules that can be openly accessed. • This contains an online searchable version of the College calendar (the Almanac), term dates, information about online safety and social media. • Weekly fixture information can be accessed from the main website or via the sports website (sport.marlboroughcollege.org). Clear details of venues, time, directions and cancellations are published before each major block fixture on a Saturday. Team lists are password protected for security, and this password is shared with parents at the beginning of an academic year.

2. The secure/parents’ area

The secure Parent Portal is accessed by going to https://parents.marlboroughcollege.org or by going to the SCHOOL LIFE section of the College website and selecting PARENTS.

Before you can use this site, you will need to undertake a short registration process, entering details given to you by the College. Once you have registered, you will be able to login and view the latest information relating specifically to your child(ren). This information includes:

• Timetables, additional lessons, Progress Indicator Reports (PIRs), end of term reports, internal and external exam entries, arrangements and results. • There is also an online version of this Parents’ Handbook, information about forthcoming trips and other important notices, documents and letters for parents. • Details for accessing the Sports website for weekly fixtures and team lists.

Routine

Term Dates for 2021 – 22

Michaelmas Term 2021 Start Tuesday 7 September* Exeat 24 – 26 September End Wednesday 15 December Half-term 15 – 31 October Exeat 19 – 22 November

Lent Term 2022 Start Tuesday 4 January End Friday 25 March Exeat 21 – 23 January Half-term 11 – 20 February Exeat 11 – 13 March

Summer Term 2022 Start Tuesday 19 April End Friday 1 July Exeat 6 – 8 May Half-term 28 May – 5 June

*New Lower Sixth pupils arrive on 6th September 2021, new Shell pupils on 7th September 2021.

At the start of terms and after half-terms and exeats, pupils rejoin their Houses no earlier than 6pm and no later than 9pm. Pupils are usually free to leave for exeats at the end of Period 3. The timings for ends of terms are similar.

Exeats

The first weekend of each term is closed. In addition to half-terms the College has a number of fixed weekend exeats (Fixed Privs) during the school year, when most pupils go home or to stay with friends although, exceptionally, some pupils remain at the school. A pupil may take six further weekends (Privs) in the course of the year. These require some forward planning and the agreement of HMs, plus written parental permission in good time, (by the Thursday of the preceding week at the latest). Privs begin after the fulfilment of Saturday commitments (usually school matches) and end by 9pm Sunday evening. On rare occasions HM permission is refused, usually for academic or disciplinary reasons. In the case of a pupil who wishes to visit the home of another pupil the HM needs written permission from both sets of parents.

If pupils are invited to parties during Privs, parents must give written permission to the HM for their son or daughter to attend, and are asked to contact the host’s parents directly to satisfy themselves as to the arrangements. No party should be allowed in the absence of

parental supervision and the College discourages any gathering involving more than half a dozen pupils. No pupil may ever travel in a car whose driver is under 25 years of age. HMs do not advance cash for travel. Parents may find it helpful to refer to the document Guidance on ‘Privs’ & Parties which can be found in the secure Parent Portal (see page 13).

Given their short duration, it is the College’s strong recommendation that Fixed Privs and Privs are used for vital rest and recuperation, and are not occasions for parties. Pupils will find it difficult to re-engage with their busy school life, after a weekend of late nights. We ask for parents’ co-operation in this matter.

Travel

At the end of term and at half-term and exeats, transport can be arranged for pupils. For complete details see the Transport Information on page 55.

Sundays

Pupils may go out on Sundays with their HM’s permission after Chapel, returning in time for prep on Sunday evening at 7.30pm. Parental permission is required when a pupil is travelling by car or outside of Marlborough.

Telephones & Mobile Telephones

HMs will not summon pupils to the telephone except in emergencies; however they will be happy to take messages within reason and to ask pupils to ring back. Similarly, messages can be left for pupils with the college switchboard.

Marlburians are allowed mobile phones, if parents so wish. Members of the College community follow a protocol for the use of mobile devices, which will be available to pupils and explained to them in their Houses. Pupils may not receive or make calls during Studies, Prep, nor after 10.15pm or bedtime if that is earlier.

Parents are asked to observe the following restriction on ringing pupils on mobile phones in order to avoid disturbing the house in its work routine:

• Lesson times; • Studies (Tuesdays and Thursdays 5.30 – 6.40pm); • Prep (nightly except Saturdays 7.30 – 9.00pm).

Inappropriate material may not be stored or viewed on a PC, laptop disk, phone or other digital device. Pupils joining the College are required to abide by all College policies governing the use of ICT.

All Marlburians have their own email addresses consisting of their school number @marlboroughcollege.org

Pocket Money

All necessities are provided by the school with the exception of textbooks and personal stationery which are paid for through the Book Office on the termly bill. Essential items can be paid for through the “chit” system (see page 50); these are added to the termly bill. Please seek the HM’s advice as to how much additional pocket money your son/daughter should receive, and as to suitable arrangements for its receipt. Most houses run a House Bank for pupils in the Lower School; you will receive details from your child’s HM in due course.

Parents may feel that they want their child to have a bank account and possibly a cash card as he or she becomes more senior. Virtually all a pupil’s needs are catered for by the school or through the chit system and large sums at a pupil’s disposal are not necessary or helpful. The bank managers in Marlborough have agreed to keep the College informed of bank accounts where their management is causing them concern and, therefore, parents are advised to open an account with one of the banks in the town. Their telephone numbers are:

Barclays 0845 7555555 Lloyds TSB 0845 3000000 Nat West 0870 2403377

Clothing and Laundry

All washable clothing must be suitable for sending to the College laundry (i.e. suitable for machine wash and tumble dry) and all must be clearly marked with the pupil’s name, school number and house code, which are to be found in this booklet. The College cannot accept liability for damage to unsuitable articles of clothing sent to the laundry. Items that require hand washing should not be sent, and items marked dry clean will be returned unwashed.

Crosby & Lawrence, 67 High Street, Marlborough

“Crosby’s” is the sole provider of uniform for the College and is also a fully equipped sports shop. The shop also has a second hand uniform department. The manager can be contacted on 01672 892498. During the summer the shop operates a booking system for parents of new pupils wishing to buy uniform. Appointments should be made between 1st June and 20th August for UK pupils requiring the name taping service. Please telephone the above number for an appointment.