Boarding Student Handbook
The King’s School, Tudor House is a Christian community that seeks to make an outstanding impact for the good of society through its students, and by the quality of its teaching and leadership in education.
Our Values
HUMILITY
We do not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We are human and we share in the humanity of others. Being humble arises from our Christian belief that we are equal in the sight of God because we are all created in His image. Humility is a fundamentally Christian value and is the starting point for all our other values, for it is when we are humble that we are able to be honest about ourselves and with others. BE HUMBLE
GRATITUDE
We celebrate with gratitude to God and each other. Gratitude is important in celebrating excellence in others, for keeping us humble and protects us from a spirit of complaint.
CELEBRATE WITH GRATITUDE
HONESTY
We are honest about ourselves and with others. Honesty means being trustworthy, sincere and authentic. We are true to ourselves, and one another. We do not mislead or misrepresent each other. Honesty depends on an attitude of humility. It is when we are honest about ourselves and towards each other that we are able to respect one another.
We respect one another and ourselves. Respect involves valuing people and property so that neither is dishonoured, and follows from our humility and honesty. We respect other’s beliefs and points of view. We do not bully or impose our will on others, whether in thought, word or deed. We do not gossip or spread rumours. Respect is important for being willing to take responsibility for ourselves and each other.
EXCELLENCE
We strive to be excellent for others and ourselves. We do this in order to make an outstanding impact for the good of society. Striving for excellence means seeking to improve and better ourselves; to be always growing. Our striving for excellence is that we may be excellent for the sake of others. Excellence begins with an attitude of Humility that enables us to be Honest with ourselves and each another, so that we might Respect each other, taking Responsibility for ourselves and each other, as a community of Integrity and Compassion.
STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE
We live to serve one another. Having compassion means caring for others, being kind and gentle. Compassion is stronger than sympathy or empathy; it is much more active and intentional. In a Christian sense, it is going out of one’s way to help others, to be generous towards others, to care for others and stand up for others. Compassion flows from our humility, honesty, respect, responsibility and integrity, and underpins our understanding of excellence. BE COMPASSIONATE
INTEGRITY
RESPONSIBILITY
We take responsibility for ourselves and each other. Responsibility means recognising that we share our lives with others in a shared world. Living and learning in community means taking responsibility for contributing positively and actively to our community and our world. Responsibility depends on our respect for ourselves and each other, and is essential for living lives of integrity.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
We live our lives with integrity. To demonstrate integrity means to live a life that is integrated and balanced, cohesive and coherent. As a community of integrity, we are unified and work together for the common good. We are trustworthy and reliable, we follow through with conviction and courage. Integrity arises from our humility, honesty, respect and responsibility, and allows us to serve one another as a compassionate community.
DEMONSTRATE INTEGRITY
Contacts
Correspondence Address
The King’s School, Tudor House 6480 Illawarra Highway Moss Vale, NSW, 2577
Head of School
Mr Adam Larby alarby@kings.edu.au (02) 4868 0022
Head of Boarding
Mr Anthony Philips aphilips@kings.edu.au 0414 457 164
Health Centre
School Nurse, Sister Cassie Loader, RN cloader@kings.edu.au (02) 4868 0043
Boarding House Phone Number (02) 4868 0098
School Office (Reception)
Mrs Caroline Giro (02) 4868 0000 tudor_admin@kings.edu.au
Enrolments Office
Mrs Anna Massey (02) 4868 0008 tudor_enrol@kings.edu.au
Uniform – The Braeside Shop at The King’s School
87-129 Pennant Hills Rd. North Parramatta NSW 2124 (02) 9683 8463 uniformshop@kings.edu.au
Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 4.00pm, Saturday: 8.00am – 1.00pm
Uniforms can be ordered by email or online and delivered directly to Tudor House.
Whytes clothing –provide name tapes and sewing service.
426 Argyle Street Moss Vale NSW 2577 (02) 4868 1911 shop@whytes.net.au
After hours duty staff phone 0428 507 564
Term Dates for 2025
Term 1
Classes commence Wednesday 29 January
Term concludes Thursday 10 April
Easter Break Good Friday 18 April –Easter Monday 21 April
Term 2
ANZAC Day Friday 25 April
Classes commence Tuesday 29 April
King’s Birthday Weekend Friday 6 June - Monday 9 June Term concludes Friday 27 June
Term 3
Classes commence Tuesday 22 July
Mid-term break Friday 15 August Ski Week Monday 18 August - Friday 22 August Term concludes Friday 26 September
Term 4
Classes commence Wednesday 15 October Term concludes Wednesday 3 December
Primary school boarding is a wonderful and unique experience for young people. The King’s School, Tudor House is one of only two primary boarding schools in Australia. Set on 169 acres of picturesque farmland in the Southern Highlands of NSW, Tudor House offers its students unique opportunities for personal growth, development of character and broadening of the mind.
Residential living provides incredible benefits (living with friends, development of inter-personal skills, onsite co-curricular and recreation opportunities) as well as some unique challenges (living away from home, having good relationships with others, personal responsibility). For students to be successful in a residential living environment, there are important considerations that need to be thoroughly assessed and supported by the staff, the parents and of course the child.
Please carefully read this document to become familiar with the expectations of what primary school boarding involves.
Mr Adam Larby Head of School
The King’s School, Tudor House
Residential Living
Dormitories
Medley House has six dormitories; L, I, T and S house for our male boarders and A and H are for our female boarders. The girls’ and boys’ dormitories are all on the first floor and in separate wings. Each dormitory has between 5 – 10 beds with a mixture of singles and bunks. The beds are single mattress dimensions. Each dormitory has reverse cycle air-conditioning and heating.
Each boarder has several ways to store their personal items including a bedside table with cupboard, a blanket box at the end of their bed and labelled shelving where uniforms and shoes are kept.
The dormitories are a shared living space. This means that students need to have a level of organisation and care for their own belongings that allows them to keep their personal items in their assigned physical space.
Getting Along
One of the biggest challenges of living with other people is learning how to get on with them – this is true of families, friends and of course fellow boarders. We know that there will be times when there is conflict, frustration and disagreements; the important thing is the approach and attitude to working through these situations when they arise.
Students who have the most success in a primary school boarding context are the ones that can see the perspectives of others, take responsibility for their part in problems and then actively seek to restore and strengthen relationships. Humility, responsibility, compassion and forgiveness are all qualities that help to build positive relationships within our community. While staff work closely to support boarders to enhance these skills, the most successful boarders already demonstrate strong skills in these areas.
The ability to ‘read the room’ and self-monitor the impact you are having on others is an essential skill to have before living in a residential environment. Students who demonstrate empathy and who understand, for example, knowing when someone is tired, irritated, unwell, homesick, or just needs some space, will be much more successful in getting on with others.
Personal Space
Understanding and adhering to expectations related to personal space is another essential skill boarders must have if they are to be successful when living with others.
Personal space includes things such as:
• keeping a reasonable distance from others when conversing or participating in activities
• not touching the belongings of others (toiletries, bedding and personal items from home)
• being mindful of your proximity to others in shared spaces such as the dormitories, the Common Room, hallways, the Dining Hall and bathrooms.
• staying within your bed area when in your dormitory
At times it can be challenging to find personal space inside Medley House as we live in proximity with each other as a primary school ‘family,’ so it is important that all boarders respect the personal space of others.
Uniform & Clothing
During the week, students are expected to be dressed in their school uniform. After school, boarding students have the option to change into their Kahiba uniform for play. Following showers, they change into their pyjamas. On weekends, boarders are permitted to wear casual clothes. When going on excursions in public, boarders wear their Kahiba uniform, unless the excursion requires activity specific clothing.
All items of uniform must be clearly labelled before it is unpacked into each boarder’s storage area. This is the responsibility of each family before beginning in Medley House. There is a local clothing and tailoring store in Moss Vale (Whytes), that can sew name labels on items of clothing. Our house parent can organise this for families that require this service.
Uniforms can be bought from the Braeside Shop at The King’s School in North Parramatta or from the Tudor House Second Hand Clothing Pool (limited stock and sizes).
Common Areas
Several areas inside Medley House are shared or communal areas. As such, they are used by all boarders and in some cases the boarding staff. These spaces require everyone to look after them.
The Common Room is the main indoor recreational area which contains a pool table, leather lounges, a television, a Lego table and a basic kitchenette. The simple rule of ‘leave it better than you found it’ is helpful for maintaining a clean and functional common room. There are specific guidelines detailing when and how items in this room can be used, and it is important that boarders respect and follow these guidelines for the enjoyment and safety of everyone.
Other communal areas inside Medley House are the bathrooms. Using communal basins, toilets and showers requires a basic level of respect for others and for the space. It is quite simple - if you make a mess, clean it up. Students are encouraged to be considerate and to keep things clean and tidy for the next person using the space. When boarders fail to do this, it causes frustration and does not help to build relationships of trust and respect.
Rights and Responsibilities
Rights and responsibilities help give clarity to boarders, their parent and the boarding staff about the expected behaviour to ensure all members of our community thrive. Rights and responsibilities go together, and it is essential that we see the equal value of both; not just “I know my right!” but also “I understand my responsibilities” to others
Routine
Weekday routine
Morning
6.45am: Wake up, get dressed, make bed and tidy personal area, play quietly in the Common Room
7.30am: Breakfast in the Dining Hall, clean teeth
8.00am: Playground opens
8.30am: Class begins
Afternoon
3.30pm: School ends, afternoon roll call in the Common Room, sports training and games, co-curricular clubs, free recreational time (outside games, bike riding, tree climbing, Lego, pool, table tennis)
5:00pm: Prep (homework)
Evening
6.00pm: Dinner in the Dining Hall
6.45pm: Free recreational time, phone calls
7.15pm: Showers and organisation for the following day
Right
I have the right to be happy in boarding and to be treated with understanding.
I have the right to feel safe and secure.
I have the right to be treated with respect and fairness.
I have the right to expect my property to be safe.
I have the right to learn.
I have the right to have access to nutritious food, quality sleep and exercise.
I have the right to have a clean, pleasant, well-maintained school and grounds.
Responsibility
I have the responsibility to respect the rights of others and treat them with understanding.
I have the responsibility not to do anything which may threaten or cause danger to myself or others.
I have the responsibility to treat all staff and boarders in line with our school values.
I have the responsibility not to steal, damage or destroy the property of others and to take proper care of the school property.
I have the responsibility to work diligently in Prep and to keep up to date academically.
I have the responsibility to make positive health choices.
I have the responsibility to care for the school environment, to keep it neat, clean and tidy.
7.45pm: House meeting
8:00pm: Quiet reading in bed
8.30pm: Lights out
Weekend routine
Weekends are easy going and provide recreational time for our boarders. Saturday morning sport occurs on most weekends during the term and there are opportunities for the boarders to assist serving in the canteen or cooking the BBQ at our sports field. Saturday afternoons are usually a time to relax in and around the boarding house and evenings are spent playing games or watching a movie. Sunday mornings are relaxed with boarders either eating in the Dining Hall or cooking breakfast around the firepit. There are opportunities for boarders to engage in onsite activities such as woodwork, outdoor games and outdoor educational activities (canoeing, archery, mountain biking, low ropes).
Throughout the term, the boarders also have opportunities to attend weekend excursions at various locations including the cinemas, tenpin bowling, rock climbing, water parks, go-karting and bushwalking.
Health & Wellbeing
Child Safeguarding
Child Safeguarding is a term that refers to the policies, processes and strategies that are designed to keep children safe at The King’s School, Tudor House. The school has documents that outline the expectations and standards that staff are held accountable to, including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Child Safe Policy. The following section outlines the Child Safeguarding principles specifically related to student behaviour in Medley House.
All staff who work in Medley House have a New South Wales Working With Children Check (WWCC). When new staff begin, they are given specific instructions during their induction period about the following topics:
• Appropriate ways of communicating to primary aged children.
• Appropriate expectations of behaviour for primary school boarding students.
• Appropriate supervision of boarders in dormitories and bathroom areas.
Boarding students also have an important part to play in keeping Medley House a safe and welcoming environment. This includes:
• Not entering the private and personal space of other boarders in dormitories or bathroom areas.
• Wearing clothes and a towel when moving between the dormitories and bathrooms when showering.
• Acting in a way that does not threaten or coerce other boarding students.
Support Staff
There are many staff who support our boarding students. The Head of Boarding is the primary point of contact for all boarders and their families. There are also residential boarding staff who assist with the day-to-day care, supervision and running of Medley House. The school has a Registered Nurse who works between the hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday and a school psychologist who works on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All students are allocated to a colour house (Blue, Red or White) and have a colour Housemaster who provides pastoral support. The Head of School and Deputy Head of Students and Community are also directly involved in supporting boarding students.
Health Centre
The Health Centre is staffed by our Registered Nurse (RN) during the week. Students who require medical attention are first triaged in the Health Centre by the RN. If a student requires further medical attention, parents or guardians will be notified and an appointment with a General Practitioner (GP) or other medical professional will be arranged. If parents or guardians are unable to attend the appointment, the School will plan for staff to attend with the student. We encourage all non-urgent medical appointments (e.g. dental appointments, GP checkups, optometrist appointments) to be made during weekends, holiday periods or when a parent/guardian is available to be present.
If a boarding student is ill during the day, they will be supervised in the Health Centre or the Get-Well Room in Medley House. While resting, students can read or sleep but are not permitted use of digital devices. They will be checked by staff throughout the day and are provided with meals from the kitchen.
Medication
All medication for boarding students must be supplied in a Webster Pack with the student’s name, dosage, details of administration and type of medication clearly visible. A letter with this information from the prescribing doctor must also be supplied to the School nurse before any medication can be administered. Any changes in medication, dosage or routine must be clearly stated by the prescribing doctor.
It is the responsibility of parents or guardians to ensure that their child’s medication is replenished to for the ongoing administration of medication throughout the term. The nurse and/or boarding staff will endeavour to remind parents when medication supplies are running low, but where possible, it is best to supply enough medication for the entire term.
Homesickness
It is very normal for boarding students to experience homesickness during their time boarding. Even the most experienced students who may have been boarding for several years can be affected by homesickness. Homesickness only becomes a concern when it negatively impacts the wellbeing of a student in an ongoing capacity. One of the best ways to counter homesickness is for students to fully involve themselves in school life. Homesickness does not necessarily mean that a student is upset or dissatisfied with their experience in boarding or at school. Parents and guardians can assist by focusing on the positives and encouraging children to involve themselves in activities and build friendships with their peers. It can also be helpful for parents and guardians to speak with a staff member for perspective on how their child is going.
Communication
Phone Calls
Families may phone their children between 6.45pm to 7.45pm each day (including weekends). There are nine phone handsets that can be reached by dialling (02) 4868 0098. Please be mindful of the length of phone calls so that all students can speak to their families. We recommend keeping call length times to under 10 minutes.
While families are welcome to ring their children every night, we suggest calling two to three times a week. This allows time between phone calls for boarders to have experiences they will be excited to talk about with you, whilst also alleviating feelings of homesickness. Often when students receive phone calls every day, there is not as much to talk about, and it can cause reliance on a daily check-in. Phone time is also when boarders socialise in the Common Room, and this is a valuable time to establish and maintain connections with their peers.
Leave Arrangements
Applying for Leave
All leave is to be arranged by the parents/guardians of the boarder going on leave.
Leave for a school day or any part thereof, must be submitted through the Daily Absence button under the Parent Dashboard on KingsNet. Other than medical leave (illness or injury), any leave that occurs during the school day must be approved by the Head of School prior to the leave taking place.
Leave outside of school hours (8.00am – 3.30pm on weekdays) must be submitted through Orah. Parents/guardians must include information about time of leave, estimated time of return, the destination and contact details of the person the boarder is going on leave with.
While we understand there are occasions when arrangements can change at the last minute, it is important for parents/ guardians to log leave through Orah with as much notice as possible, and to communicate with the Master/Mistress on Duty (MOD) when plans do change. This helps the catering staff prepare meal quantities and assists boarding staff with organising activities.
Leave with day families
There are many day student families who are keen to support our boarding students by taking them out on leave during the week and on weekends. If you would like your child to go on leave with a day student’s family, please submit a leave application through Orah.
Country Boarders – Free Travel
NSW TrainLink provide free bus services to assist country boarders getting to school and getting home at the beginning and end of each term, and for mid-term breaks. The Head of Boarding applies for a travel pass for new country boarders at the start of each school year. During each term, the Head of Boarding will communicate with the parents of country boarders about upcoming travel and parents can opt in before the deadline if they wish to use this service. All requests are processed by the School Travel Coordinator and travel documents and journey information is forwarded to parents.
Co-curricular Dining
Clubs
There are many clubs available for our boarding students to participate in. As a guide, we recommend that children participate in one to two clubs a week to allow them appropriate downtime to play outside with their friends.
Sports
Tudor House participates in both local and Sydney-based sports associations. Most local sports operate in the afternoons and evenings during the week, and Sydneybased competitions run on Saturday mornings. Like co-curricular clubs, it is important that families discuss and decide on an appropriate amount of sporting commitments for their child each week. While it is good to participate in weekly structured activities, children also need down time to enjoy being children; outdoor, unstructured play!
Dining Etiquette
When we eat meals together, it is a time of enjoying community with each other. We sit down around a dining table with six to eight other members of our boarding community, conversing and sharing a meal together. There is some simple dining etiquette, which help to make the meal enjoyable for everyone:
• Stand behind your chair with your hands behind your back while ‘opening Grace’ is said by the Boarding Captain.
• Wait calmly for your table to be called up to collect your meal.
• Throughout the meal, remain seated and see a staff member if you require anything.
• Consider others; if you see someone needs a refill of their drink or needs a serviette or cutlery, be quick to help out.
• Talk to the people on your table, not across the Dining Hall at others.
• At the end of the meal, politely pass your crockery and cutlery down to the end of the table near the trolley.
• When asked, stand quietly behind your chair with your hands behind your back while ‘closing Grace’ is said by the Boarding Captain.
• If you make a mess, clean it up.
• Use your cutlery to cut the food up into bite sized pieces.
• Use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ when asking for things.
Nutrition
The food at Tudor House is provided by Chartwells. The menus are created by a team of chefs and nutritionists at the Chartwells Head Office and are then cooked by the Chartwells catering staff at Tudor House. Students are offered both a continental breakfast, and hot breakfast during the week. On weekends, a continental breakfast is available, and often boarding staff will help facilitate a BBQ breakfast. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are catered for every day of the week, with students often eating morning tea and afternoon tea outside (weather permitting). Dinner is served in the Dining Hall, and students will always be provided with protein and vegetables for each dinner meal.
Excursions
Examples of Excursions
Weekend excursions are a fantastic way for boarders to strengthen relationships with other boarders, and simultaneously build a thriving community. On weekends where excursions are scheduled, we encourage boarders to stay in and contribute to building this community and enjoy experiencing memorable outings together. It is often through these shared experiences in which friendships are forged, and memories are created that will last a lifetime. Some examples of boarders’ excursions that we have organised include:
• Goulburn Rodeo
• Picton Karting Track
• Jamberoo Action Park
• Hangdog Climbing Gym
• Flip Out Trampoline Park & Play Centre
• Minnamurra Falls Walk
• Fitzroy Falls East Rim Walk
• Luna Park
• Raging Waters
• The Moss Vale Show
• Tom Curtain’s Good Life Tour
• Local Musical Productions
• Ten Pin Bowling
• Movies
• Borealis in the Vines
Representing the School in the Community
We place immense value on boarders representing Tudor House in the community. There are many opportunities for students to be ambassadors for Tudor House, whether it be through events like the ANZAC Day march and service, school excursions, interschool academic and sporting competitions or simply by wearing your school uniform with pride in public. These occasions are a chance for students to display the values and spirit of the school in the wider community.
Preparing to Begin Boarding
BOARDERS PACKING LIST
Uniforms as required (full blues, sport, Kahiba)
Socks (uniform, sport, casual); enough to last 10 days
Underwear; enough to last 10 days
Casual clothes
- One to two sets, for weekends and boarders’ outings
- Boarders wear their Kahiba uniform during free time in the afternoons
Mesh laundry bag (x2); for socks and underwear sent to King’s laundry service
Swimmers
Beach towel
- For excursions during the term
- The boarding house will provide towels for showers
School shoes
Sneakers (for sport)
Boots (for Kahiba)
Wet footwear for showers (e.g. slides or thongs)
Slippers / Ugg Boots
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, roll-on/ stick deodorant NOT AEROSOL, nail clippers, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner)
Pyjamas (x2)
Oodie (optional, but most boarders have one for winter)
A couple of books (for reading before lights out)
Hat/cap
Doona
Doona covers (single bed x2)
Fitted sheet (optional, the boarding house can also supply this)
Pillow (optional, but most boarders prefer to use their own)
Pillowcases (x2)
Small backpack
PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S ITEMS ARE CLEARLY LABELLED
Tudor House Uniform Information
The Braeside Shop
The King’s School Foundation runs a fully-stocked shop. The Braeside Shop stocks all uniform clothing requirements including school shoes. The Braeside Shop is the sole retailer of uniforms for The King’s School.
The Braeside Shop is situated on Ryrie Road, beside The King’s School Theatre located on the Parramatta Campus.
For all new uniform requirements, please contact the Braeside Shop at The King’s School by phone: 02 9683 8463 or email: uniformshop@kings.edu.au
Please note, all orders are sent to Tudor House weekly unless registered post is required to another address.
Items purchased can be charged to the student’s school account, to Visa, Mastercard, cheque or EFTPOS.
Uniform Fittings by Appointment Only
The Braeside Shop will commence appointments for 2024 new student uniforms from October 2023. You should allow one hour for a fitting appointment. Fittings are strictly by appointment only. Appointments can be made via KingsNet.
To ensure your child is able to purchase all the required uniform items in their size, it is strongly recommended that you outfit your child before the end of Term 4 2024. January fittings are allocated to overseas, interstate and late enrolment students only.
Sample Uniforms
A set of sample uniforms are available for fitting purposes at Tudor House. Please contact Anna Massey to make a fitting appointment at Tudor House on 02 4868 0008
Opening Times
2024: Monday to Friday (8.00am - 4.00pm daily) until Friday 13 December 2024.
The shop is closed from 14 December 2024 to 14 January 2025.
2025: Monday to Friday (8.00am - 4.00pm daily) from Tuesday 14 January 2025
Once School resumes, Braeside is also open on Saturdays (8.00am - 1.00pm)
Closed on Australia Day (26 January 2025)
Clothing Pool
Tudor House has a Clothing Pool with some second hand clothing.
The Clothing Pool is coordinated and run by parent volunteers. It is open on Thursday mornings between 8.00 and 9.00am during term time.
Please contact the School Office on (02) 4868 0000 or via email tudor_reception@kings.edu.au if you have any specific requests or queries.
Please Label all Items of Clothing and Linen
All clothes, boots and shoes must be marked with the child’s name in full. Cash’s name tapes are recommended. Name tags are the only acceptable form of marking children’s clothing as adhesive tapes are lost in the laundry, leaving clothing without any means of identification. Please ensure the name tag has your child’s name followed by TH. The best way to mark all shoes etc is to sew a name tape on the inside of the tongue. Parents should order from website: www.nametapes.com.au or phone 1800 020 204
Whytes Clothing can sew on name labels, do alterations if required and will sew on Colours.
3/458 Argyle Street Moss Vale NSW 2577 Phone: 02 4868 1911
Email: shop@whytes.net.au