S. Carnell 2016
Boarding at Saint Ronan’s
Saint Ronan’s School
Water Lane, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 5DJ Web: www.saintronans.co.uk Email: info@saintronans.co.uk
Let the magic begin! Boarding at Saint Ronan’s is a well-established tradition which aims to provide a secure, friendly and family style environment for the children. The house and grounds provide a wonderful setting for the boarders to flourish and become independent, organised and open-minded children. Boarding is available from Monday night through to Thursday night for pupils from Year 4 upwards. It is a great opportunity to gain experience before full boarding later on, or simply just a chance to be with friends overnight and have some fun. The children are looked after by Mr Fox, who lives in the school house with his wife and young family. He is assisted by a number of the teaching staff, a resident Gap Student and the House Parent. This extended family is on hand to give care and support and to ensure that the pupils enjoy their experience of boarding.
Mr Fox Assistant Headmaster
Meet the boarding staff & Bramble
Tim Fox
Head of Boarding
I am a keen Brighton and Hove Albion fan and enjoy anything to do with sport. I also enjoy organising events such as the X-Factor and playing games like German Spot Light with the children.
Bramble
Sock Controller
Bramble is in charge of collecting socks each evening!
Julie Gillam House Parent/ Boarding Matron
I enjoy the variety that boarding brings; being around the children and seeing them flourish is very rewarding. There is always something happening; lots of organised activities and games to keep the children entertained.
The benefits of boarding Boarding at Saint Ronan’s allows the pupils to experience an exciting aspect of school life and to develop many important characteristics.
Personal qualities are developed: Confidence Independence Organisational skills Leadership roles Responsibility
Inter-personal skills are developed: Listening Sharing Caring
Social skills are developed: Fun Friendships Team spirit
A boarding evening - what happens The evening starts at 6.30pm with boarder’s supper. This provides the pupils with a hearty meal after an exhausting school day. The boarders have helped to design the menus so there is not much food left at the end! Then the pupils have some free time, with lots of different activities on offer depending on the time of year. Wherever possible, the pupils are sent out to play (this has been known to happen in the dark and the snow as well!). They can play their own games or use the tennis courts or swimming pool. In the winter we have the use of the Sports Hall, main house or Great Space depending on whether we are playing dodge ball, flipping pancakes or playing sardines! The boarding staff are on hand to supervise the activities and more often than not join in. Sometimes we take the boarders out to watch local pantomimes. At 8pm all pupils go upstairs. The younger pupils go into the Snug for snacks and a drink while the Year 8 pupils shower and get into their PJs. At 8.30pm the Year 8s come into the snug for their snacks and drinks and all the other pupils make their way to their dormitories for the bedtime routine (shower, hand in dirty washing, teeth and toilet etc.) Dormitory lights are turned off at about 8.45pm, depending on the age of the pupils (a little earlier for Year 4 pupils).
Where do we sleep? All the dormitories are located at the top of the school. Each has its own unique name and character Crystal Palace, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Rookery, Ally Pally and the Savoy. Pupils are placed in a dormitory with children of a similar age wherever possible. Each pupil is given a box, in which they keep their personal belongings and a hook for their dressing gown. In addition to this, each bed has a small shelf for items such as reading books and watches. They are allowed to personalise their dormitory space with posters and photographs. In addition to the dormitories we have the Snug room, which is where the pupils are able to relax, have snacks, watch television or play games before heading off to bed.
What do the boarders need to bring? Duvet cover and pillow case 1 Dressing gown 1 Pair of slippers 1 Pyjamas / nightdress 1 Flannel 1 Toothbrush and toothpaste 1 Hairbrush and hairbands to tie hair back 1 Pair of pants or knickers and socks Cuddly toys, comforters etc
Important The pupils must remember to wear named underwear and socks on the day they are boarding. These items are washed and out back into the children’s boxes the following day.
Your questions answered by our boarders Can I contact home? “Yes we just ask Mr Fox or Julie and they lend us the school phone. Our parents can also call us on 01580 754649” Wilf Wyatt - Year 8 What happens if I feel ill during the night or have medicine to take? “When we feel ill we just go and see Julie and she looks after us. If it is in the middle of the night we can just knock on her door. Julie also dispenses medicine to the boarders if they need them. Evie Shimmin - Year 6 Will there be a fire practice? “Yes each term we have a practice, Mr Fox does it as a surprise, normally in the morning when we are still asleep!” Allegra Woods - Year 7 What if I am worried or have a problem? “I just go and see Mr Fox or Julie and they help me out. There are lots of other staff as well and the older children are helpful too” Jaxson Moss - Year 4 Is there lots of food? Yes—we have great food in the evening and we get to choose what we eat. Julie always has a snack for us before we go to bed as well” Amelie Geens - Year 6
How to book To book a boarding night please contact Julie Gillam Tel: 01580 752271 or email: boarding@saintronans.co.uk