This is your guide to boarding in Latessa Wing and contains everything you need to know.
We hope you will settle in quickly and soon feel at home in our historic Aston Webb building. If you have any queries or a question, please speak to your supportive Boarding House Staff who will be on duty around the clock to look after you.
You are now a proud member of a community in Latessa Wing. We advise you to make the most of your time here; make friends from other year groups, other nationalities, take part enthusiastically in House events, look after the House environment, study hard and be nice to people.
Mr Janowski Latessa Wing Housemaster
Contact Details for Latessa Wing
No calls after 10:30pm please, but these numbers can be used in an emergency.
Mrs Lang Assistant Housemistress mlang@royalrussell.co.uk
Please
Boarding Principles
Boarding Principles
Royal Russell is a family school, and the following principles will help our boarding pupils to thrive at the School.
• Each boarder and each member of staff is to be treated as an individual, and with respect, by other pupils and by staff.
• Each boarder has the right to extend their intellectual growth and be ambitious, courageous, distinctive, and open in an atmosphere of positive encouragement and in conditions that are conducive to learning.
• All boarders should be able to develop physically, spiritually, intellectually, morally, and socially with provisions being made for them to celebrate their own religions and cultural festivals.
• We respect all boarders, regardless of ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality or disability.
• Although living together, staff and boarders acknowledge the right to each other’s privacy.
• Boarders will be provided with a range of activities and opportunities appropriate to age and maturity that will assist in their personal, social, and cultural development.
• Boarders will be provided with accommodation that is comfortable and suited to their needs, according to age and maturity, and which provides adequate levels of privacy.
• Within our community we will develop boarders' sense of responsibility and respect for self, for others and for the environment along with qualities of leadership and teamwork.
• Boarders will be encouraged to contribute to the needs and welfare of others in the House and school, as well as those in the wider community.
• We create a boarding community where pupils feel able to turn to members of staff to share the good things in their lives, as well as seeking advice and support during times of difficulty.
• Each boarder has the right to be able to work, play and relax, free from abuse, intimidation, harassment, teasing and bullying.
• We will safeguard and promote the welfare of each boarder, by providing an environment that is free from physical hazards and dangers of any sort.
• Despite the distance separating boarders from their families, links with parents are seen as an indispensable part of the support and development of boarders. Guardians will play a key role in this respect for our overseas pupils.
Equipment
This is a list of equipment specifically for pupils who will be boarding. The full uniform list and academic equipment can be found within the Pupil & Parent Handbook.
Luggage
We have limited storage available for luggage, please bring only one hard-shell luggage, with any additional luggage being the soft-shell type, which can be stored inside the hard-shell case . Examples are:
Hard-shell luggage
Personal items
Clothes for weekend and evening use
1 x pop-up laundry bag
3 x linen bags
Name labels for your clothes
Soft-shell luggage
2 x padlocks with keys (or combination locks). Approximately 60 x 30 x 100 – shackle 3mm thick
1 x Dressing gown
2 x pairs of pyjamas or night attire
1 x pair of slippers
4 x large bath towels or 2 x large bath towels and 2 x hand towels
Toiletries including any medication you require (medication should be handed in to staff on arrival)
Chargers for devices (UK compliant)
Hairdryer
Mug or cup for personal use
A school bag for books
Sports kit to suit personal interests and facilities available
House Life
House Life
We hope you enjoy your time in House. We aim to ensure that you feel happy and safe and have a sense of independence.
There are a few House rules to ensure everyone takes responsibility for their House.
Your Bedroom
• All pupils are allocated a study bedroom.
• You may share this room with another boarder.
• You can personalise your room on the pinboard provided. Please put up photos of your friends, pets and family back home.
• You must not put posters or LED lights on decorated walls or wood.
• Your room is where you can be private, and visitors must knock and wait before entering.
• People can only enter your room if you invite them.
• Be considerate of your roommates.
• You must ensure that any valuables are locked away in your cupboard when you are not there.
Tidiness
• Please keep your room clean and tidy (make your bed, tidy your desk, take dirty laundry downstairs)
• Use your space sensibly (hang clothes up, put empty luggage in the luggage cupboard)
• Personal hygiene is important. You should shower/wash every day and wear clean clothes.
Electrical Equipment
• Electrical equipment will be checked regularly by the school electrician. Any items which are considered to be dangerous may be confiscated.
• The School will provide an adaptor/multi-plug that is fused, earthed, and complies with UK standards.
• Laptops that use the School Wi-Fi must be checked with the IT Support Office.
• For safety, pupils must not have their own kettles, fridges, air conditioners/fans or heaters in their rooms.
Fire Alarm – What To Do If You Hear It
Day Time
If you hear the fire alarm in the building you are in during the day, you must leave that building by the nearest indicated exit immediately.
There are signs to show where you should assemble.
Nighttime
• If you hear the fire alarm at night, you must get up at once, exit via the main staircase and leave the House by the closest fire door.
• Make sure that everyone in your room has heard the bell and has left the room.
• Assemble at the House assembly point as instructed, which is on Chapel Quad.
• You must keep a pair of shoes or slippers within easy reach of your bed, and you must also have a dressing gown or coat where you can quickly grab it, should the fire alarm sound.
• Do not stop to collect anything else.
• Never run down the stairs.
• Keep silent so that the register can be called.
Signing In and Out
• Sign out whenever you leave the House (apart from for lessons and meals) and only go to the destination you have signed out to.
• See your noticeboard or your handbook for where you can go.
• If in doubt, ask a member of staff.
• Sign back in when you return.
• Never sign in or out for another pupil.
Personal Safety
• Never open the front door to people you do not know. Do not be afraid to deny entry to an unknown adult. Ask a member of staff if you are ever unsure.
• Never use the fire doors except in an emergency.
• We have a large campus. When it is dark, please keep to the lit pathways.
• The woods around the School are out of bounds unless you are on a cross-country run.
• Take care when travelling outside of the School. Travel in pairs/groups.
• Ask a member of staff if you can leave campus.
Valuable and lockable areas
• All pupils have a lockable area in their bedroom. Pupils must provide their own lock, although the House will have a number of these for sale at given times.
• Lockers within the main school buildings are only available for day pupils.
• Mobile telephones, laptops and any other valuables should be kept in your lockable wardrobe/drawers.
• Any large sums of money (exceeding £50) should be deposited with the School bank.
• The School is not responsible for items that are lost or damaged.
Guardians
All pupils must have a UK guardian in place before joining the School. The House Staff must hold complete and up-to-date information about your guardian. If you change your guardian, it is essential to pass the latest information to the House Staff. Your guardian must be in the UK when you are here or you will need to appoint another guardian and let House Staff know.
Jobs
Jobs
You are part of a community and we all do our bit. You will do a kitchen duty, as well as help and volunteer for other jobs, as it is always very welcome.
House Tidying
• We all try to keep the house as clean and tidy as possible.
• The communal areas (lounges, lobby, pool room, kitchen, etc.) are for everyone to enjoy.
• They should be left tidy at the end of every day.
Laundry
All personal bed linen, towels and clothing must be clearly named.
• All bed linen and towels must be washed every week.
• Items of underwear must be put into a white net washing bag.
• Your laundry must be put into the trolley in the morning before you go to school by 8:00am. It will be returned to your named pigeon-hole, usually the following day.
• Please check the returned laundry regularly.
• Look at the notices around the House to see which items can be put into the trolley on any day.
• A washing machine and dryer are available in the House for personal washing Please ask a member of staff for assistance if needed
Prefect Duties
(Years 12 and 13)
• Year 12 and 13 pupils (Sixth Formers) are senior members of the House and as such are expected to always set a good example.
• Full details of senior duties are given out at the start of the year and are on noticeboards around the House.
• Please carry out your duties properly and report any problems to the member of staff on duty or the Head/Deputy Head of House.
Your Property Money
Your Property
The School recommends that all pupils open a bank account with a debit card as soon as they arrive in the UK for any personal expenditure.
The School does not accept responsibility for pupils’ cash kept in their rooms.
The School operates a pocket money system for pupils who do not hold a bank account, or as a temporary measure whilst an account is being opened. Pocket money should be sent by bank transfer in advance and thereafter to ‘top-up’ pupils’ pocket money as required. Cash will not be accepted.
Pupils can make cash withdrawals on Monday and Friday between 4:00pm and 4:20pm. If pupils require more than £50, this can be collected on a Friday and pupils must email Ms Lawrence (dlawrence@royalrussell.co.uk) by Wednesday of that week.
All bank transfers must clearly show the pupil’s full name and ‘pocket money’ as a reference.
Bank cards and cash can be locked in the House Office for security.
The School’s bank details are as follows:
Bank Name
Bank Address
Barclays Bank plc
Barclays Bank 1 North End Croydon Surrey, CR9 1RN UK
Account Name Russell School Trust
Account No. 00775142
Sort Code 20 - 24 - 87
Swift Code BARCGB22
International Bank Code GB 53 BARC 202487 00775142
Post and Parcels
Any packages or letters for you will be delivered to the House. Please make sure any packages are sent fully addressed with your name on and the name of the House. This should be Latessa Wing and not Oxford or Cambridge.
Please DO NOT order bottled water or large amounts of dried food to be delivered.
Mobile Phones
You will need a mobile phone which works in the UK and you must register the number with a member of the boarding staff. Remember to update this information if you change your phone. Your telephone MUST NOT be used during school hours unless in the Sixth Form. It will be confiscated if you break this rule.
Your parents are responsible for making sure that your telephone is covered by insurance in case it is lost or stolen – please ask them about this. Always keep your phone in a safe place – locked away (if possible) when you are at school. Please inform us of your most up to date UK number which we can use to contact you.
Do not use your telephone at Prep time or after ‘lights out.’ It may be confiscated if you break this rule.
Cars
Boarding pupils may not have cars at school. Boarding pupils may not travel in a day pupil’s car without specific prior written permission from their parents and the parents of the driver.
Food and Drink
Food and Drink
Catering
The Catering Department work extremely hard to ensure there is an impressive range of food available at every mealtime. Please do your best to eat a balanced diet – if you would like some advice on a balanced diet, please ask. If you have suggestions about the food on offer, talk to the Food Committee representative.
Meal Times
Sixth Formers do not need to attend breakfast. Mealtimes are as follows:
Monday to Friday 7:30 - 8:00am See Rota Monday – Friday 6:15 - 7:00pm
• Takeaways can only be ordered on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons).
• They should not be a replacement for normal school meals. Pupils are expected to attend all meals unless given permission otherwise.
• Takeaways must be ordered in good time and should not arrive after 9:00pm on a Friday or Saturday. On Sunday the latest you can order a takeaway is 3:00pm.
• They should be eaten in the kitchen or any other designated area and not in bedrooms.
Kitchen Tidying
• If you use the kitchen, you must leave it clean and tidy; wash up your own plates/cutlery etc. and put rubbish in the bin.
• You will do kitchen duty at least once a week at 10:00pm, see the Rota for details.
• The senior pupil on duty should supervise the kitchen tidying and ensure that it is done correctly.
Weekly Routine
7:00am Duty Staff wake up the House
8:00 - 8:10am Tidy room, make bed, put any laundry in basket and get ready for House Assembly the Oxford or Cambridge followed by Chapel or Tutorials
8:15am Registration
8:20 - 8:45am Tutorial
8:45am - 12:55pm Lessons 1-4
12:55 - 1:55pm Lunchtime
1:55pm Afternoon Registration
1:50 - 3:50pm Lessons 5-6
3:50 - 5:25pm Free Time. Be back in House before the start of Prep at 5:30pm Activities/Clubs Visit local shops Croydon for Years 12 and 13: YOU HAVE TO SIGN OUT BEFORE 4PM TO ENSURE YOU ARE BACK IN TIME FOR HOUSE MEETING
5:25pm House meeting and registration
After 5:30pm No pupils to leave the School site (exception for Years 12 and 13 on Friday with permission)
5:30 – 6:00pm First Prep
6:15 – 7:00pm Supper (with registration)
7:00 - 8:00pm Second Prep
8:00pm - until bedtime Free time.
Years 12 and 13 can visit the other Boarding Houses Year 12 and 13 return by 10:00pm and Year 13 School Prefects by 10:30pm
Bedtime
Year Group Lights Out and Quiet 12 and 13 By 11:00pm
Please note – NO showers after 10:00pm and the House should be quiet after this time.
You must sleep in your own room. You must go to bed at the correct time and be quiet after ‘lights out.’
All mobile phones should be switched off and charging away from your bed after lights out.
Any pupils playing on laptops or phones after these times will have them confiscated.
On a Friday and Saturday night, these times are extended at the discretion of the duty member of staff.
Saturdays Sundays
8:00 - 8:15am Get up Lie-in unless there is a morning Chapel
8:15 - 11:00am Breakfast
10:30am Rollcall in House
12:00pm Rollcall - see noticeboards for details
6:15pm Rollcall in House followed by supper
6:15pm Rollcall in House followed by supper 7:00 - 8:30pm Quiet Prep/Tidy time in rooms
10:00 - 11:00pm Bedtimes at discretion of House staff Usual bedtimes as forMonday-Thursday
Friday and Saturday evening (Friday after Prep, Saturday after supper)
• Years 12 and 13 may go to a restaurant/cinema if they have been given permission by the member of staff on duty. They must provide details of where they are going and not go alone. They must return by the time agreed and no later than 11:00pm
Saturday and Sunday Morning
• In House or onsite unless in an activity away from school or on weekend leave.
• Free time - In House or activity
Saturday and Sunday Afternoon (12:15 - 6:00pm)
• All pupils may go into Croydon at these times.
• Pupils can only leave after lunchtime rollcall (10:30am on Saturday and 12:15pm on Sunday) and must be back in time for evening rollcall (6:00pm).
• Check noticeboards for and changes to rollcall times.
Visits to Local Shops
Monday-Friday 3:50 - 5:30pm where can boarders go?
Year Groups Chapel View or M&S (Gravel Hill) Croydon
12 and 13 Yes Yes
If you want to go anywhere else (e.g., Lloyd Park, The Viewpoint), you MUST ask permission from the member of staff on duty
Visits to London
• Pupils in Years 12 and 13 can travel to London in pairs, if they have permission from their guardian or Housemaster/Housemistress
• For Years 12 and 13 please complete a weekend leave form if you wish to go into London and hand to House Staff by 5:30pm on the Thursday before.
Sunday Evening (after 6:30pm)
• All pupils must be back on site by 5:30pm
Prep (homework) Times and Guidelines
Years 12 and 13 should all be in their own rooms and quiet during Prep.
• Any pupils playing games on laptops during Prep will have them confiscated.
Prep times are as follows:
Monday - Thursday 5:30 - 6:00pm 7:00 - 8:00pm
Sunday 7:00 - 8:30pm Quiet Time/Prep/Tidy time in rooms.
• Prep should be done quietly and in an orderly way.
• If you have another organised activity, such as sports matches, music or drama performances and will miss the scheduled homework time, please ask permission from a member of the House Staff.
• All pupils attending the gym must register for first Prep, notify a member of the duty team and then complete this in a communal area
Information
Information
Noticeboards
This can be found at the top of the stairs outside of the office. It contains lots of useful information and will also have important messages on it, so place look at it frequently.
Travel
Travel
Weekend Leave
Collect a ‘Weekend Leave Form’ from outside the office.
• Ask your guardian to email your Housemaster requesting permission and giving details of your proposed weekend address and relevant telephone numbers.
• The form and the permission should be received by 5:30pm on the Thursday prior to your weekend away.
• Boarders may accept invitations to go out with a friend’s family if their parent/guardian agrees and at the discretion of your Housemaster.
If the pupil is required to leave earlier or return later from a weekend leave, the guardian must make this request in writing to your Housemaster.
Weekend leave begins at 4:00pm on Friday. Weekend leave ends at 5:30pm on Sunday.
Pupils are permitted to stay with their guardian or parents.
If pupils wish to stay with anyone else (another family member, family friend or the parents of another pupil) then permission and details must be received from all parties. Your Housemaster will have final say as to whether the weekend leave is permitted.
Travel Arrangements
• You must make sure travel arrangements to and from school are made well in advance and notified to House Staff.
• It is essential that you do not arrive after term starts or depart before the end of the term. Pupils are not permitted to miss term time for the convenience of travel arrangements and unauthorised absence is not permitted.
• Pupils with parents overseas must try to confirm their flight arrangements with House Staff at least one Half Term in advance.
• You must hand your passport, Visa, ID cards and tickets to your House Staff for safe keeping when you arrive back from a holiday.
Passports
Your passport must be handed in for security purposes and they will be locked in the office.
This also includes Visa and ID cards.
Oyster Zip Card
The Oyster Zip Card provides discounted travel on trams and buses. The House Staff will organise this when you arrive if you do not already have one.
Activities
Activities and Wellbeing
There is a wide range of activities on offer at Royal Russell.
Regular activities
Every day after school, and most lunchtimes, there are clubs that you can join (Music, Sport, Drama, CCF, Model United Nations, Computing, learning a new language, etc.).
Most evenings and at weekends boarders can also make use of the onsite gym and swimming pool, at designated times. There are also many opportunities to participate in sports, including basketball, volleyball, football and badminton.
Sunday trips and special activities
A boarders' activities programme runs throughout the year, including a mixture of trips and onsite activities. This programme includes trips to London, Brighton, Premier League football matches, theme parks, bowling and the cinema. There are opportunities to try everything from mountain biking to pottery painting, laser tag to go-karting.
Boarders are expected to sign up at the start of each term and are encouraged to suggest activities to be added to the programme.
Wellbeing
Feeling Down or Unwell
• If you have any worries or concerns, you should not hesitate to talk to your Tutor, Housemaster/Housemistress, or any other member of staff or your friends.
• The Childline number (0800 1111) is always displayed on the House noticeboard.
School Counsellor
Pupils are encouraged to discuss personal concerns, worries or problems with someone they trust – a parent, friend, mentor, or teacher. At school there are always people who are available to help including House Staff, Academic Tutors, and House Tutors.
If you would rather talk to someone who is not a member of the School, you can see the Counsellor on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Health and Wellbeing Centre. Please speak to your Tutor or Housemaster to arrange a referral for you.
Health and Wellbeing Centre
• If you are feeling unwell, you should inform your teacher during the School day or the duty member of staff at other times.
• During the night, you should knock on the Housemaster, Deputy Housemaster or Assistant Housemistress’ door.
• The staff at the Health and Wellbeing Centre are Nurses Hayleigh Schenk, Jordon Benney, Melanie Perry, Kirsty Butler, Katie White and Healthcare Administrator Janet Brockwell.
Medicines
• Pupils should not self-medicate unless they have permission from their Housemaster or the Health and Wellbeing Centre staff.
• Any past/current medical conditions must be disclosed to the House Staff so we can ensure that the best medical care is in place for you.
• Any medicines should be handed in to staff on arrival.
• Pupils with medicines in their room may have them confiscated.
Chapel
• Royal Russell has a Christian ethos but welcomes pupils of all faiths. Boarders will attend Chapel services on several weekends throughout the year as well as a few times during the term on a Monday with day pupils. The services are a time for collective worship and prayer or quiet reflection.
• Boarding houses will also organise and participate in numerous services.
