Year Student7 Handbook
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THE KING’S SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
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The King’s School 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.
I have no doubt that you will love King’s, just as I do. It is my expectation that a boy’s time at King’s will not only prepare him for the future, but will also remain one of the fondest memories of his life.
A Welcome from The Head of Senior School
Stephen Edwards Rev Stephen Edwards Head of Senior School and Deputy Headmaster
We are blessed to go about our lives on 320 acres of beautiful Australian landscape, with a variety of learning spaces and vast sporting facilities. Some boys and staff have the privilege of living onsite and we welcome our day community as they join us each day. Our dedicated team of staff partners with the boys and their families in their learning and growth. We encourage boys to take ownership of their learning as they discover their passions and interests.
Welcome to the The King’s School, Senior School! What an exciting journey awaits our youngest Kingsmen as they launch into the vast number of challenging opportunities that can help them mature into men of confidence and character. Our vision at King’s is that boys will be transformed into quality young men who are ready to live lives of service in God’s amazing world.
The boys experience at King’s will be one of marvellous adventure. Our focus is that the boys will relish their time in the classroom to develop into global thought leaders. They will also need to bring a healthy risk appetite to school which allows them to be challenged through the co-curricular program and in the process develop a strong character. All this will be achieved by being embraced by the King’s Community through the House system, which provides a secure foundation to grow.
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CELEBRATEGRATITUDEWITH
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.
Our Values
BE HUMBLE EXCELLENCE
BE COMPASSIONATE
RespectHumility Excellence Compassion Responsibility HonestyIntegrity
STRIVE
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.
COMPASSION
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.
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.
GRATITUDEEXCELLENCEFOR
HUMILITY
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
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Compassion Responsibility HonestyIntegrity
RespectHumility
RESPECT
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.
BE HONEST
HONESTY
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.
SHOW RESPECT RespectHumility Excellence Compassion Responsibility HonestyIntegrity
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.
Excellence
INTEGRITY
DEMONSTRATE INTEGRITY
RESPONSIBILITY
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.
Academic Courses 12 Academic Enrichment and Extension 13 Academic Life 12 Academic Matters 23 Bikes, Scooters and Skateboards 27 Boarders’ Leave Rules and Responsibilities 28 Boarders’ Travel Arrangements 28 Boarding 17 Boarding Expectations 18 Boarding Houses 19 Bus Services Operated by The King’s School 17 Camps Week 15 Chapel 15 Clothing Pool 17 Co-curricular 15 Co-curricular Opportunities 15 Communication 21 Communication 12 Computers 27 Contacting Staff 21 Daily Routine 13 Daily Routine for Boarders 25 Dental and Orthodontic Services 19 Dining Hall – Procedure, Meal Times and Uniform 24 Educational Support Services 13 Electrical Equipment 27 External Tutoring 23 Facilities 19 From the Head of Boarding 17 Gowan Brae House 11 Health Centre 19 Health Centre Procedures 19 Health Medical Form 15 Homework Club 23 House Manager / House Parents 21 House Organisation 11 Individual Music Tuition 16 Information and Communication Technology 12 KingsNet 12 Laundry 24 Leave 28 Leave Times 28 Local Hotels 30 Locks and Lockers 11 Mail 23 Meal Times 24 Meals for Boarders 24 Meals 11 Medical Services 19 Mobile Devices Policy 12 Motor Vehicles 27 Music 16 Our Community 30 Pastoral Care and Supervision in the Boarding House 21 Physiotherapy Services 19 Pocket Money and Expenses 23 Prep (Homework) 23 Reception Day 2023 09 Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews 13 Saturday Sport 29 School Rules and Conduct 27 Social and Weekend Activities 29 Sport 15 Staff Supervision 21 Student Leaders – Year 10 Monitors and Year 12 Captains 21 Supervision 21 Snacks 24 Tagging of Electrical Equipment 27 Technology 27 Telephone and Email 12 Telephone and Mobile Phones 23 Term Dates for 2023 9 The Braeside Shop 17 The School Diary 12 The Ten day cycle 13 Transport and Travel 17 Uniform 11 Uniform at Meals 24 Visiting Chemist 19 Visitors 27 Weekly Boarders 28 Year 12 Gowan Brae Captains and Year 10 Monitors 11 Contents
Term Dates for 2023 Term 1 Tuesday 31 January - Wednesday 5 April Camps Week: Thursday 30 March - Wednesday 5 April Easter: Good Friday 7 April - Easter Sunday 9 April Term 2 Wednesday 26th April to Friday 23 June Anzac Day: Tuesday 25 April Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday: Monday 12 June Term 3 Tuesday 18 July to Thursday 21 September (P-Year 10) Tuesday 18 July to Friday 22 September (Years 11-12) Term 4 Wednesday 11 October to Thursday 7 December Reception Day 2023 On Reception Day, new students are inducted into The King’s School. Boys will meet their Housemaster, the House Captains, their Mentor and Monitor, and will be provided with their timetable, diary and laptop. The Housemasters of Gowan Brae will be in contact concerning arrangements for Year 7 Reception Day, Monday 30 January 2023. All boys must attend the Reception Day dressed in full School Uniform with white shirt and black tie. Contacts Day Housemaster Miss Linda 04289683llp@kings.edu.auPerkovic8653669435 Day Housemaster Mr Andrew 04189683apd@kings.edu.auDean8653297276 Boarding Housemaster Mr Grant 04029683gcg@kings.edu.auGerber8517135813 Academic Year Coordinator Ms G 0499gdougherty@kings.edu.auDougherty772424 Gowan Brae Admin Assistant Mrs Angela 9683acornwall@kings.edu.auCornwall8653 Deputy Head – Students & Community Mr Josh 0455joh@kings.edu.auHoogland098243 Director of Boarding Mr Ben 04119683bcc@kings.edu.auChadwick8516759243 Gowan Brae Boarding House Manager Mrs Robyn 9683rtarasenko@kings.edu.auTarasenko8626 Email:Mentor: Health Centre Sister-in-Charge: Kerry Milosevic School Doctor: Dr Matthew 9683HealthCentre@kings.edu.auMasterson8409 School Chaplain Rev Jason 9683chaplain@kings.edu.auHobba8414 Director Community Engagement Mr Mike 0427mps@kings.edu.auSymons272724 School Receptionist / Absentees Mrs Megan 9683absentees@kings.edu.auMansfield8539 ICT Services 9683servicedesk@kings.edu.au8690 9
As a previous boarder myself, I am acutely aware of what the boys are going through when they begin their journey here at King’s. I feel blessed to be working with these boys and their families. Coming to King’s is a fantastic experience where the boys will make lifelong friendships.
Grant BoardingGerberHousemaster
Linda Perkovic Day Housemaster
I know that entering high school can be daunting, not only for a boy, but also for his family. My job is to ensure your experience in commencing at King’s is as smooth as possible.
It is a real joy helping young men find their feet and flourish at King’s. The transition to manhood begins in Gowan Brae, and I feel privileged to embark on this exciting journey with boys and their families.
Andrew Dean Day Housemaster
• Boys who are driven to and from sporting fixtures may wear the sports uniform under the King’s tracksuit.
Gowan Brae has three Housemasters: Boarding Housemaster Mr Grant Gerber Day Boy Housemasters Miss Linda Perkovic Mr Andrew Dean
Year 12 Gowan Brae Captains and Year 10 Gowan Brae Monitors
The Year 7 boys are fortunate in that they have carefully selected senior boys who form part of the leadership team in Gowan Brae. These Captains and Monitors assist the boys in their day to day life, pass on the rich traditions of the School and act in the manner of a helpful big brother.
Day boys travelling to and from the School on public transport are required to wear the full School uniform, including jacket and tie.
All boys must wear the King’s tracksuit over their sports uniform when travelling to an away fixture or walking in the School grounds.
Dinner is served between 5.15pm –6.15pm. Breakfast is 7.10am – 8.10am. Boys are also expected to observe the conventions of good table manners when eating in the Dining Hall. Unacceptable behaviour at meals will not be tolerated and neither will inappropriate wastage of food. Boys must be neatly dressed in the appropriate version of the School uniform for all meals. It is expected that boys will treat Dining Hall staff with courtesy and Therespect.Dining Hall can cater for special dietary needs. Details regarding special dietary requirements of a medical or cultural nature, are noted on the Student Medical Form accessible on KingsNet. Lockers and Locks
As a concession to the hot climate during Terms 1 and 4, the jacket and tie are not required to be worn when travelling to and from the School.
• During the winter sport season when the School hosts another GPS team for a Saturday game, boys will be required to wear their No.1 School uniform after their match, whilst watching the senior teams.
The Housemasters are assisted by the Gowan Brae Administrative Assistant, Mrs Angela Cornwall. House Organisation In Gowan Brae, we have 16 Mentor Groups. Each group is comprised of approximately 16 students, a mixture of both boarders and day boys. A staff member is attached to this group along with a Year 10 Gowan Brae Monitor. Together, they meet twice a week to assist the Year 7 boys in their care to understand the routines, expectations and to help them develop a sense of belonging within the group. Mentors should be the primary point of contact for parents.
The role of the Housemaster is to exercise a range of pastoral, administrative and leadership roles within the House in order to ensure the wellbeing of the students.
Gowan Brae House At The King’s School, we have a unique Year 7 transition house, which incorporates both boarders and day boys. This House is named Gowan Brae.
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Uniform The School is proud of its unique uniform that dates back to the formation of The King’s School Cadet Corps in 1868. Boys are expected to wear the uniform properly so that the good reputation of the School is •protected.
• Day boys travelling by car to and from School are required to wear the full School uniform, including jacket and tie. As a concession to the hot climate during Terms 1 and 4, the jacket may be removed when travelling by car. However, the jacket must be brought to School and put on as soon as the student gets out of the car.
The Gowan Brae Housemasters are charged with assisting the Year 7 students in transitioning from primary school into the routines of high school.
Boarders must attend all meals, including breakfast, and day boys must attend lunch. Day boys will need to pack their own recess each day. Day boys are allowed to eat in the Dining Hall for breakfast or dinner if they wish.
Gowan Brae meets twice a week for House meetings. These meetings provide an opportunity to recognise the achievements of boys in the House, provide a setting for performances and the display of work, give staff the opportunity to pass on information and to remind boys of administrative arrangements.
During the school day, Gowan Brae House is based in the Sports Centre. This venue has been carefully selected as it gives the Year 7 boys an indoor place to play together (out of the heat/rain/wind), it is where their lockers are located, it is close to the Dining Hall, Health Centre and the change rooms. The Gowan Brae Housemasters’ Day Office is also located just metres from where the boys are interacting.
Meals Meals are served in the School’s modern Dining Hall. The cuisine at The King’s School is of the highest standard, and boys are usually given a generous choice of offerings.
All Year 7 boys are provided with a locker in the Sports Centre. This enables each boy to secure any/all valuables. Boys may elect to purchase a lock from Braeside or provide their own.
KingsNet is available on your desktop device at www.kingsnet.kings.edu.au or as an App downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Gretel gdougherty@kings.edu.auDougherty
• Information pages for departments, courses, classes, Houses, Year Group, sports and co-curricular, King’s community clubs and associations.
in the 12
Please make checking into KingsNet a regular part of your school routine to stay up to date. Telephone and Email
Communication
• Anti-Bullying Policy • Child Protection Policy • Parents’ and/or Students’ General Complaints and Grievances Resolution Procedure • Anaphylaxis Policy. Mobile Devices Policy Year 7–10 students are not to use mobile devices (including smart watches) from the
The Year Co-ordinator has academic and pastoral oversight for the Year group. Accordingly, the Year Coordinator will work in partnership with the Housemasters, the Stage 4 Dean of Academics and Gowan Brae Mentors to provide support to the students. The principal task of the Year Coordinator is encouraging optimum academic and pastoral support to their students though a strong focus on student welfare and wellbeing. This includes maintaining an academic and character-based profile of students, arranging for suitable recognition and encouragement of students in her care, developing and implementing the program for the team of Mentors within the Year group. Together with the Housemasters, the Year Coordinator oversees a ‘safety net’ designed to ensure all students display a positive attitude towards learning and make an appropriate effort towards succeeding in their academic studies, as well as assisting the students on their journey to develop into young Kingsmen of character. 7 Year Co-ordinator
study the following subjects: • English • Mathematics • Science • Geography • History • Personal Development, Health & Physical Education • Languages (French, German or Chinese) • Music • Biblical Studies • Technology Mandatory • Visual Arts Any queries about academic matters should firstly be addressed to the
The School Diary
Information Communicationand Technology The King’s School is committed to the meaningful integration of information and communications technologies within the context of authentic curriculum tasks. Technology is woven into the fabric of The King’s School as a tool to enable and enhance teaching and learning. Our laptop programs with the latest devices allow staff and students to engage in studies and research anytime, anywhere. Contemporary classroom tools and subscriptions to the very latest cross-discipline as well as subject-specific software all contribute to a learning ecosystem that delivers capability without frustration. We aim to equip students with skills and knowledge to enable them to become confident users of technology. At King’s, we have a comprehensive filtered wireless network covering all learning areas and boarding houses around the campus including some outdoor areas. Two high speed internet connections with redundant firewalls and building-to-building fibre create fast and secure communication infrastructure.
The School’s intranet (KingsNet) and our learning management system (Canvas@Kings) provide access to a wide range of information in a secure learning Studentsenvironment.participatein a compulsory laptop program. Filtered internet and email access is available to all students, as is the learning management system. The School’s online services offer particularly valuable resources which students can access using their unique username and password from within the School or from home.
Academic life
• Access to your child’s academic reports, fee statements, leave / absences application and other King’s services such as the School calendar
All students will be supplied with a School Diary. The diary provides important day to day information, and is the common property of the student, the staff and parents. Accordingly, it serves as a very important communication strategy between the School, the Housemasters, the Year Coordinator and home. Parents, Mentors and staff are encouraged to write notes in the diary and to inspect its contents regularly. Every student will be expected to have his School Diary at each lesson. Mentors inspect diaries as a matter of routine during their regular meetings. Homework is to be recorded in the diary. The ten-day cycle and general timetabling information and important regulations and advice on study techniques are set out in the introduction.
Academic Courses Year
• The ability to update your child’s medical details and your own contact details
KingsNet KingsNet is the School’s communication platform that provides our community with easy to access, timely and accurate news, information and notices.
• A dashboard personalising information and communication, including contact details for staff relevant to your child
A list of relevant telephone numbers and email addresses for School staff is available in the School Diary, on KingsNet and at the front of this booklet. The following documents are available for viewing on KingsNet time they arrive on the campus
The first section at the front of the diary comprises the School Memoranda. All new students should read this section. The School’s Memoranda acts as a behavioural guide for all students. The very highest standards of conduct, courtesy and compassion are required of all students.
KingsNet provides:
The Mentor is the parents’ primary contact point with the School for academic matters.
with homework, assignments and assessments is also available for students who require extra support in the key subject areas. A Homework Club, supervised by the ESS staff, is held in the CLL after school for students on their non-sport afternoons. ESS also runs handwriting classes for those students who need to improve the legibility and speed of their handwriting script. These classes take place on a Monday and Wednesday morning from 7.30am–8.10am 13
• There are six academic periods in each day.
Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews
morning until 3.25pm. Laptops will be taken to class and used when instructed, but they are not to be used around the School yard during free time. If a student needs to work on his computer during free time, then he must go to the library to complete his work.
On Reception Day, students will be notified of their scheduled training afternoons. Sports practices are scheduled on two afternoons per week, from 3.45pm to 5.00pm.
However, the Housemasters and Year Co-ordinator are also available to discuss pastoral and academic matters respectively.
If a student requires a mobile device for exceptional circumstances (ie: health monitoring) then the Housemasters can be approached and permission granted where Studentsapplicable.found not to comply with these rules will have their device confiscated and parents notified. Our hope is that this policy will provide the boys with a greater focus on their academics and social interactions. There will be fewer distractions for the boys and it will provide greater safety from the dangers of social media while they are at School.
Ms Kathryn kfraser@kings.edu.auFraser
The School has an Educational Support Services Department (ESS), co-ordinated and taught by specialist learning support staff. ESS provides assistance to boys across all year levels in a variety of ways that seeks to develop boys’ full academic, social and emotional potential in order to achieve their individual goals. This includes students who need to consolidate their literacy skills and students with English as a Second Language. It is imperative that parents contact the ESS Department and/or the Housemaster or Year Co-ordinator if they have information that would assist the School to meet a student’s academic or pastoral needs.
As educators, the School’s prime concern is to allow students to discover their gifts and develop those gifts into talents. The King’s School acknowledges the wide range of areas of excellence students may exhibit and we strive to identify and direct those who are gifted in different academic domains.
The School operates a timetable over a ten-day cycle. The day of the cycle is indicated in the School Diary, and on notices around the School.
• Classes conclude at 3.25pm.
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• Lunch break is between periods 4 and 5.
The School’s routine is an active one and younger boys may initially be quite tired until they get used to the structure and activity.
Parents of Year 7 boys can expect a written report summarising their academic performance from the Mentor at the end of Term 1.
Parents are encouraged to contact the Head of Academic Enrichment and Extension, should they have information that indicates their son has particular gifts, or with any specific queries.
A full School report is provided at the end of Term 2 and is issued via KingsNet. These reports contain a Course Description, Performance Outcomes, teacher comment and recommendation and, where appropriate, a Cumulative Assessment Mark, Assessment Mean, Place in Course and Grade. The Mentor and Housemaster include a pastoral comment on these Parentsreports. are invited to attend interviews with each of their son’s subject teachers during Term 2. A full School report is provided at the end of Term 4. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is included for Year 7 based on their mandatory subjects.
The School day commences at 8.20am for all students. Day boys should arrive at school by 8.10am. Musical ensembles practice after breakfast (before school) on three mornings each week and at a variety of other times, as arranged. Mentor and Year Group meetings are held regularly – as are Assemblies and Chapel.
The School provides quality enriching learning experiences for all students including high potential and gifted learners through rigorous classroom and cocurricular experiences. The program for these boys consists of various initiatives including extension, acceleration and streaming, amongst others.
A further focus area is the social and emotional wellbeing of the boys. At King’s we have close pastoral care systems to help all boys, including the gifted, with their differing developmental speeds, as they grow into young men.
Academic Enrichment and Extension
SupportEducationalServices
Daily Routine
• Lunch is provided for all boys in the Dining Hall.
If you feel you have a serious concern, please telephone or email the Housemasters or Year Co-ordinator. Like you, we prefer to hear of concerns before they develop into major problems.
Boys are taught in a structured learning environment that is both positive and rewarding. Students are assisted through teaching in differentiated classes or through support in the key subject areas by ESS Assistancestaff.
The Ten-Day Cycle
If a boy needs to speak to a parent in the case of an emergency during the day, then he can either go to the Staff Centre and ask to use a School phone, or he may request permission from a teacher and then call on his phone in the presence of a teacher. He must not just take it upon himself to use his device.
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• Morning break is between periods 2 and 3.
Health MedicalCertificateForm
If it is considered that a student requires remedial assistance, his teacher, Mentor or the Head of Educational Support Services will contact parents to discuss the matter.
Camps Week During a week at the end of Term 1, all students will be involved in a unique program designed to strengthen teamwork, develop new skills and enhance relationships within the Year group. In Year 7, the program centres around a number of activities based around camping. All boys are required to attend the full schedule of activities including overnight during this week. Co-curricular Opportunities The School offers an extensive range of co-curricular activities, and boys are encouraged to involve themselves in as many of these as is possible. However, the excitement of such a wide choice can lead 15
Health Centre Contact Details Sister Kerry Milosevic Tel 02 9683 8409 Fax 02 9683 8493 healthcentre@kings.edu.au Co-curricular Sport
The playing of sport is a vital part of a boy’s education at The King’s School. A wide range of sports and physical activities are provided for boys in all four terms. In team games, every effort is made to arrange regular Saturday fixtures against other schools. The School encourages younger boys to take part in team games. There will be a program of sports skills training for Year 7 boys during the year to acquaint them with the skills and rules of major sports.
Sports Offered In Terms 1 and 4: Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis In Terms 2 and 3: Badminton Cross Country, Football, Rugby, Volleyball In Term 4: Rowing, Water Polo Students can also nominate to participate in Athletics during the appropriate season. Places in some teams can be very competitive due to limited numbers of players we can field in teams. The School endeavours to place boys in a sport of their preference; however, this is dependent on appropriate skill levels and is not always possible.
Boarders and day boys will be required to attend a number of GPS events to support School teams, for example: the Head of the River Regatta, the GPS Athletics Carnival, and designated Football and Rugby matches.
The Health Centre is available to members of the School community throughout the school year for the management of health issues. The Centre is staffed around the clock by a registered nurse during school terms, and is the first port of call for all health issues at school – from illness to trauma. Support is also provided for boys with chronic health challenges such as diabetes, asthma and allergies – together with co-ordination of immunisation programs, and other preventative Inmeasures.addition, services are provided by a GP/ Sports Doctor who visits the Health Centre during the week. As the doctor’s hours vary, it is sensible to contact the nursing staff to organise appointments. For those with Medicare cards, the doctor is usually able to bulk bill for consultations and other services provided. The doctor is on call outside of scheduled clinic times to assist with urgent problems and emergencies.
The Medical Consent form needs to be completed by you online on KingsNet unless you have previously completed this when your son was enrolled in the Preparatory School. If that is the case please take this opportunity to bring the information up to date if necessary. The consent and medical details must be completed online prior to Orientation Day.
Chapel Although students from all faiths are welcome at the school, it is hoped that the boys will grow in their knowledge and appreciation of the Christian Faith, as it lies at the heart of The King’s School. Boys attend Chapel every Wednesday, where there is a mix of formal and informal worship Studentsstyles.aretaught
Multi Sensory Structured Language classes (MSL) are also run by ESS Specialist Staff. These classes are relatively small in number and are by invitation only. MSL classes are run before school for approximately half an hour duration, twice per week. They are designed for students who require some extra tuition in one or more of the basic skills, such as phonological awareness or a sub skill set of reading. Classes allow for intensive teaching and practice of such skills.
The Health Centre is open from 7.00am–10.00pm daily. While it is hoped that your son will seldom require the use of the Health Centre, he will always be welcome to visit for care, friendly advice and appropriate treatment.
All boys are required to have a full commitment to School sport. A boy’s sporting commitment will involve at least two training sessions per week and a Saturday fixture. Training sessions are normally 3.30pm–5.00pm with Saturday fixtures being placed anytime between 8.00am and 3.00pm. Communication about fixture times and venues is released on Tuesday each week via KingsNet. School sport takes precedence over outside sporting programs or other cocurricular activities.
Disability Provisions for examinations are also co-ordinated through the Educational Support Services Department. Parents should contact the Head of ESS, Mrs Angela Williams, if their son requires Disability Provisions due to illness, learning difficulties or other problems. Mrs Angela anw@kings.edu.auWilliams
Optional student Christian Fellowship groups meet weekly for those boys who wish to personally explore their faith. There are Year 7 mid-week fellowship groups for boarders and a junior Crusader group which meets every week at lunchtime.
Biblical Studies in each of their years at School. These classes focus on developing knowledge of the Bible and the Christian faith, with a special emphasis on Jesus as the fulfilment of God’s plan. Various ethical issues are also explored from a Christian viewpoint to encourage students to think about their actions in this world.
Music A separate booklet outlining the School’s Music facilities and program will be provided on KingsNet. The Director of Music oversees an extensive team of specialist music teachers based in the Music School near Futter Hall. Individual Music Tuition
Boys who learn orchestral or band instruments are required to participate in instrumental groups within the School.
Activities available for Year 7 include: • Academic Extension Groups • Agriculture Club • Chess Club • CRU Group • Debating • Industrial Arts Club • MSL Club • Media Club • Programming Club • Reading Club • Robotics Club • Science Club • Student Representative Council • The MakerPlace • Visual Arts Club • Writers’ Club Details of these activities and clubs will be provided by the Mentor.
Piano and Voice students are expected to be members of at least one choral group.
It follows that only dedicated and able musicians have enough time to learn more than one instrument.
The following instruments are taught individually in the School: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Euphonium, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Percussion and Drum Kit, Singing, Piano and Pipe Organ (Piano Grade 5 is a prerequisite).
Once a boy has made reasonable progress, parents are asked to consider buying an instrument, and privately owned instruments 16
should be insured by parents, taking care that the cover includes loss or damage whilst the instrument is at school, or in Whattransit.is necessary before a boy decides to learn an instrument is that he should feel keen enough about the exercise to want to practice every day. Without daily practice, learning an instrument becomes a frustration for teacher and pupil, and the School reserves the right to ask boys who are not progressing in accordance with their ability to cease learning. In the early years, half an hour a day is a reasonable practice time, and after Grade IV longer practice time will be necessary.
Theory/Musicianship lessons are available on an individual basis. Please contact the Music Administrative Assistant on 02 9683 8424 if you have any additional questions. to over-commitment and it is recommended that boys consult their Housemaster or Mentor before involving themselves in activities. Many of these activities are scheduled for evenings or afternoons and must not interfere with satisfactory completion of homework or scheduled School sports practices.
If a boy wishes to commence tuition during the year, a letter or registration form from a parent is required. Forms are available on ItKingsNet.isnotalways necessary for a boy to possess his own instrument when he starts learning, unless he is a day boy pianist.
The School has a rental scheme for most instruments, except guitars and bagpipes.
Mr Mark Pearce 0418 761 193 King’s School operated bus services include: • Balgowlah / Mosman / Neutral Bay • Balmain / Drummoyne / Gladesville / West Ryde • Bella Vista / North Kellyville / Winston Hills • Cammeray / Northbridge • Galston / Dural / Glenhaven / Kellyville / Baulkham Hills • Greenwich • Holsworthy / Moorebank / Merrylands / Wentworthville • Hunters Hill / Woolwich/ Gladesville / Boronia Park • Longueville/Putney • Rouse Hill / The Ponds / Glenwood / Winston Hills • St Ives / Gordon (An Opal card is required*) • Strathfield / Concord / Rhodes / Newington • Wahroonga / Thornleigh • Moss Vale / Bowral / Mt Annan (weekly service) • Rose Bay / Double Bay / Edgecliff (weekly service) Parents must book a seat for their son/s as applicable on the bus service that The King’s School operates or oversees. To apply for a seat on the King’s bus service, please complete the Application form on KingsNet. More information about bus services travelling to and from the School is available on KingsNet or by contacting: Mrs Karen Austin 02 9683 kaustin@kings.edu.au8588 Boarding From the Director of Boarding Welcome to boarding at The King’s School. It is my hope that
your time with us, you thoroughly enjoy your boarding experience and immerse yourself in all that the School has to offer. As part of a unique community, it is your responsibility to respect 17
The Braeside Shop stocks all School uniform clothing requirements including school shoes. The Braeside Shop is the sole retailer of uniforms for The King’s School. Uniform Fittings by Appointment Only
The Braeside Shop
To book your fitting appointment, please contact the Braeside Shop Phone: 02 9683 8463 Fax: 02 9683 8480 Email: braesideshop@kings.edu.au or uniformshop@kings.edu.au Transport and Travel Students are expected to wear the correct School uniform for summer or winter to and from school, from when they leave home or school, whilst travelling in public or on buses. Day boys who wish to use public rail and bus services for travel to and from school can apply online for an Opal card https:// apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts. They can be used from Monday to Friday. They are not available for sports travel or for use during school vacations.
King’s Operated Bus Services Weekly Boarders or any other boy travelling by School bus routes on Monday morning or Friday afternoon must book their journeys with the Transport Supervisor. during
The Braeside Shop will commence appointments for 2023 new student uniforms from October 2022. You should allow 1 hour for a fitting appointment. Fittings are strictly by appointment only. Appointments can be made on KingsNet.
Generally, January fittings are allocated to overseas, interstate and late enrolment students.
Opening Times 2022: Monday to Friday (8.00am-4.00pm daily) until Friday 9 December 2022. Shop closed from 10 December 2022 to 16 January 2023. 2023: Monday to Friday (8.00am-4.00pm daily) from 16 January 2023. Monday to Friday only until school resumes, then Monday to Saturday. Closed on Australia Day, 26 January 2023.
The School Foundation runs the Braeside shop, a fully-stocked shop at the School. It is situated on Ryrie Road, beside the King’s Theatre. Items purchased can be charged to Visa, Mastercard or EFTPOS.
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 2022.
Clothing Pool Located inside the Braeside Shop, the Clothing Pool stocks second hand School uniform. It relies on the School community for stock, therefore not all sizes will always be available. Please contact the Braeside Shop for further details. Contacting the Braeside Shop
the positive traditions and values of our school. Take comfort in the knowledge that every Kingsman has an unequalled opportunity to learn. Choose to spend your time wisely - find those things that you are truly passionate about and pursue these interests with great vigour. Above all, make the most of those opportunities available to you - get to know your peers and forge lifelong friendships that will stand you in good stead, now and into the future.
Mr Ben DirectorChadwickofBoarding
Boarding Expectations
Boarders must respect their own, others’ and School property. It is expected that all boarders will be polite, respectful and courteous to their fellow boarders and to adults within and outside the School community. All boarders should care for others’ welfare, speak at all times in a courteous manner, and avoid any coarse speech or behaviour. Bad language is not acceptable. Smoking, vaping, drinking or the consumption, possession or use of any illicit drug (including alcohol) whilst on campus, is strictly forbidden and may result in suspension or expulsion.
The King’s School offers unparalleled boarding facilities with large, purposebuilt boarding houses staffed by qualified teachers. We are committed to providing the very best in residential accommodation and have, in recent years, made a significant investment to ensure that our boarding environment is the very best available. We embrace the use of technology and all boarders have access to the same services as those found in Inindustry.Year7, accommodation is available in four dormitories that feature climate controlled air-conditioning. Located on over 300 acres of land with swimming pools, gym facilities, sporting fields and a mountain bike track, the School is conveniently located in the geographic centre of Sydney, enabling boarders to enjoy a country schooling experience in the heart of Australia’s largest city.
Boarders live in a community and, as such, must conduct themselves in a manner that shows respect for, and upholds the dignity of others in that community. Accordingly, common sense, courtesy, concern and consideration for others is essential. These are not values that come easily for many at such a young age, hence Gowan Brae aims to support your son as he develops the skills required to live “In a Community”.
A note to all boarders: an incredible and exciting adventure awaits your significant contribution – get involved, enjoy all that is on offer, and make the most of this amazing opportunity. Do these things and I guarantee that you will thoroughly enjoy a lifetime of learning at The King’s School.
Boarders should also have respect for their environment by ensuring that it is kept clean and tidy. Any damage to property should be reported to the boarding staff member on duty as soon as practicable. If a boarder wilfully damages School property, the cost of repair or replacement may be charged to parents.
Learning to live in a community is a vital skill for life and research teaches us that boarders develop close friendships and values, such as resilience, tolerance and independence, often much earlier than others who are not given the same educational opportunities. Living at school offers many advantages – time that would otherwise be allocated to travel can be better utilised, enabling boarders to be fully engaged in their school work, sporting endeavours and other co-curricular activities. Boarders have access to academic support from a selection of qualified tutors and patrons who are available throughout the day and in the evenings. The Mentors assist boarders with their homework, providing direction and enabling the boys to make the most of their prep time outside of the classroom.
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The Headmaster, Head of Senior School/ Deputy Headmaster and Director of Boarding are also resident on campus in a supervisory and ‘on call’ capacity. Health Centre Procedures
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• After your son is seen by the School Doctor, you may receive a telephone call outlining the problem and treatment. This may include an x-ray or blood test, which will be bulk billed. If there has been a serious accident or problem, the Health Centre staff will endeavour to contact you immediately by phone.
The School Health Centre can recommend outside physiotherapists commonly used by boys at School. Appointments and transport to and from can be arranged via the Health Centre. Visiting Chemist
Medical Consent to Anaesthetics, Operations and Other Treatment
Dental and Orthodontic Services
It is clearly understood, of course, that the Housemaster or Sister will endeavour at least, to speak with the parents before a boy has to undergo an urgent operation (eg for appendicitis or to set a difficult fracture); and that in the case of city parents especially, they will attempt to give them the opportunity of attending to such an important matter themselves.
PleaseKingsNet.check that your son’s immunisation status is up to date eg tetanus, polio, diphtheria and measles. Currently NSW Health conducts an Adolescent Vaccination Programme. The Clinics will be held at the School and include: Year 7 will be offered two doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine six months apart and a single dose of Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (dTpa) vaccine.
Boarding Houses
• If your son is in the School’s Health Centre overnight, the Duty Sister will contact you by phone.
The Medical consent online needs to be completed by you unless you have previously completed the form when your son was enrolled in the Preparatory School. If that is the case, please take this opportunity to bring that medical information up to date if necessary.
It is important that the Health Centre has all current medical information about your son. If he has received treatment or encountered a problem during the holidays, please pass on details to the Health Centre at the beginning of each term. You may also update medical information online at
It is important that boarding parents visit the School’s Health Centre to meet the staff and ask any questions about procedures and treatments their son may need during his stay at school. This is particularly important where a new boarder has special medical or dietary needs. Health Centre Nursing and medical care is provided in the School’s Health Centre by qualified nursing staff. A registered nurse is in residence every night, providing 24 hour care. The School Doctor provides regular clinics. The doctor and nurses support Housemasters and House Manager in monitoring the physical health of boarders.
Medical Services
• If your son needs an emergency treatment, you will be contacted immediately. Please ensure that you have completed the medical consent online at KingsNet that gives legal status to your son’s Housemaster or certain senior members of staff to sign for consent if you are unable to be present.
The School Health Centre can recommend outside dentists and orthodontists commonly used by boys at the School. Appointments and transport to and from these services can be arranged via the Health Centre.
Facilities Year 7 students in Gowan Brae reside in dormitories which are separated into pods of four boys. There are four dormitories in Gowan Brae - Forster, Marsden, Thomas and Campbell. In each dormitory there also sleeps a Year 10 monitor who is developing his skills of leadership, as well as providing the Year 7 boarders with a mentor and a senior student with whom they can speak as necessary. Staff residences are located at the ends of the dormitories and again provide a family atmosphere, as well as supervision as required. Boys do not enter their dormitory except to sleep. There is no technology allowed in this space. The dormitories are air-conditioned and the boys are woken in the morning with a bell. Gowan Brae also has a TV room, table tennis, foozball table, pool table and tennis courts and a baketball half-court.
All Year 7 boarders enter the transition house, Gowan Brae. Towards the end of Year 7, boys will move into a senior house with a group of friends. Allocations to a particular House may be based on a family association with that Senior house. It is not always possible to meet every request; however, the School endeavours to place Year 7 boarders with a group of friends. Year 7 boarders move to their senior boarding house in the final weeks of Term 4.
Health Centre Contact Details Tel 02 9683 8409, Fax 02 9683 8493 Email Physiotherapyhealthcentre@kings.edu.auServices
A local chemist visits the Health Centre most days and will accept orders for pharmaceuticals and other non-prescription items. Boys can place their order at the Health Centre and parents will be charged through their accounts. In addition, the Braeside Shop sells a range of toiletries including toothpaste, deodorant and combs.
It may not be possible for the staff to let you know every time your son visits the Health Centre, but you will be kept informed in the following cases:
Having raised four children of their own, they are now proud grandparents and have a fantastic ability to relate to young men in their care. Robyn will liaise with the Health Centre when there are issues related to the health of boarders. Staff Supervision Residential staff are rostered for duty in the boarding houses on a schedule prepared by the Housemaster. Their duties include waking the boys, getting them off to breakfast and ensuring they are ready for school. Each evening they supervise homework and recreation time. Staff are assisted by senior students and Patrons in running the House. Staff are also rostered on at weekends to supervise the boarding house. Gowan Brae has a high ratio of staff, due to the energy and enthusiasm that Year 7 boys exhibit. This also allows staff to be able to run plenty of activities to keep the boys active and engaged when they have spare time.
Gowan Brae House Parents Mrs Robyn Tarasenko and Mr Wally Tarasenko.
Student Leaders
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Communication Contacting Staff Due to the busy nature of the School, it can sometimes be difficult to reach staff by telephone (they may be in class, coaching sport or in the boarding house). For matters which are non-urgent in nature, it is usually easier to email the Housemaster or teacher with a basic query and ask them to call you back when convenient. For more urgent matters or emergencies, please do not hesitate to contact the Housemaster, House parents, Director of Boarding, Health Centre or Reception.
Important telephone numbers and email addresses are listed at the front of this handbook.
Attached to Gowan Brae are Mentors who meet regularly with the students and guide them in both academic and pastoral matters. Mentor and Year Group meetings are held regularly. Year 7 is treated a little differently to other Year groups. Being a transition year, a team of Mentors, together with a group of senior students, work with the Year 7 Boarding Housemaster of Gowan Brae, Mr Grant Gerber, and the Day Boy Housemasters of Gowan Brae, Miss Linda Perkovic and Mr Andrew Dean, to provide services designed to meet the unique needs of boys in Year 7. House Manager / House Parents Gowan Brae is unique, due to the nature of those who live in the community. Mrs Robyn Tarasenko is the House Manager who is an integral part of the pastoral “family”. While her major responsibility lies in domestic affairs within the boarding house, she also provides that friendly ear listening to home news, social relationships, classroom issues and sporting achievements. Coupled with her husband, Mr Wally Tarasenko, they combine to act as the Gowan Brae House Parents.
Within the boarding house, Year 10 Monitors and Year 12 Captains assist residential staff in maintaining good order and cleanliness, ensuring students abide by the School rules and by encouraging boys to make a contribution to School life. Student leaders are accountable to their Housemaster in discharging their duties.
Supervision
Year 10 Monitors and Year 12 Captains
Pastoral Care and Supervision in The Boarding House
All Boarding Housemasters are assisted by a variety of staff who deal with such matters as pastoral care, health, academic issues, social outings and supervision. All residential staff are trained in basic first aid (Level 2 Senior First Aid Certificate).
Bartering, hiring, leasing, renting or selling between boys is not permitted.
In Gowan Brae, special arrangements exist where staff administer pocket money distribution each week. Parents’ fees account will be charged $200 for the first two Terms’ pocket money. This account will need to be topped up for Terms 3 and 4 following a statement of expenses incurred. Boys are only allowed to withdraw a maximum of $10 each week. Typically, boys spend a few dollars each week at the local Kingsdene shops.
Pocket Money and Expenses
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Academic matters Prep (Homework)
A short break for supper is followed by a second session. Fruit and water is always accessible for boys to eat and drink. Each boarder is required to have his own computing device as specified by the School. Boys can gain wireless access to the School network from their boarding house.
Staff supervise prep progress, but in addition, senior students regularly support junior students as academic mentors. Boys are distributed into four prep rooms, where staff assist all boys and ensure that they are completing set prep.
External Tutoring
It is part of a boy’s education that he should learn to be responsible in the handling of money – to be selective in his spending, purposeful in his savings and generous in his giving to charity. Such training can only be effective with the full co-operation of parents, relatives and friends.
Brae has two telephones for the use of boys and parents – 9683 8522 and 9683 8538. Both phones can receive incoming calls for parents to talk with their son. If it is hard to contact your son or if he is not calling home often enough (possibly because he is enjoying himself), email the Housemaster and they can either pass on a message or remind them of the importance of keeping family up-to-date about how they are going at school.
During this period, students are expected to complete homework, projects and assignments, as well as undertake an individual study program.
Boys are permitted to have a mobile phone, subject to the School’s mobile phone usage Gowanpolicy.
While prep is supervised by staff, parents sometimes employ outside tutors in subjects where their sons may be experiencing difficulty. It is preferable that these private arrangements occur outside formal prep and they must be approved by the Housemaster and relevant Child Protection authorities. Parents are requested to liaise with the relevant Housemaster before employing a private tutor who will tutor their son on site. This allows relevant child protection protocols to be observed.
Mail Letters to the Housemasters, staff or boys should be addressed to:
Specialist tutors, covering a broad spectrum of subjects are available during the week during prep and are generally located in the Library. This tutoring is provided at no additional cost to parents.
All boarding students have prep each week night (7.00–8.00pm and 8.20–8.50pm).
Homework Club Homework Club provides a structured environment to assist boys with their homework and assignments. It is held each afternoon from Monday to Thursday.
(Staff/Boarder’s Name) Gowan Brae The King’s School PO Box PARRAMATTA.1 NSW 2124 Parcels must be addressed to: (Boarder’s Name) Gowan Brae, The King’s School 87-129 Pennant Hills Road North Parramatta. NSW 2151 Boarders are encouraged to communicate with home every day unless they are seeing their parents on the weekend.
Telephones and Mobile Phones
Boarding House cook their own BBQ MondayDinner – Sunday 5.15–6.15pm
Uniform at Meals Boarders must be neatly dressed in the appropriate version of the School uniform for meals. Uniforms may not be mixed and matched. The clothing requirements vary according to the day of the week as follows: Monday – Friday breakfast and lunch –Half Blues or #1 Uniform.
Monday – Thursday dinner - Half Blues or #1 Uniform Friday dinner - Neat casuals. Saturday all meals – Half Blues or #1 Uniform, or full PE uniform, or full School tracksuit
Sunday all meals Neat casual clothes, including a collared shirt and closed shoes, or #1 Uniform, or full PE uniform, or full School tracksuit
Laundry Washing is undertaken by the School laundry. All items of clothing must be clearly marked with the boy’s surname, initials and the House number - sewn to the inside centre back of each garment (not on the sole of socks please). All clothing must have the initials of the House – “GB”.
Bed linen and shower towels are provided by the School. The School towels are plain white. To avoid confusion, please do not send personal towels in this colour. Boys are not allowed to take School towels out of boarding houses (eg: to the pool or gym.)
Parents can supply some healthy snack foods, keeping lollies or caffeine products to a minimum. Any snack goods should be stored away in a boy’s cupboard in a sealed container.
Gowan Brae boarders need to supply a doona of appropraite weight, a pillow and covers. 24
Two mesh bags are required for the washing of socks and other delicate items. These need to be purchased from Braeside Shop. These bags must be clearly named with permanent marker or sew-on clothing tags.
Meals Dining Hall – Procedure, Meal Times and Uniform Boys are expected to attend all meals and to eat a balanced and healthy diet. The Dining Hall operates in a cafeteria style where boys collect cutlery and queue at the servery. Boys then sit at a table with friends.
Snacks
It is the responsibility of each boy to clean any items off the table and return all used plates and cutlery at the end of their meal. The Dining Hall can cater for special dietary needs. Boys each
The House Manager organises the collection of dirty clothing and the distribution of washed items on a regular basis. Most washing is returned on the day following collection.
Meal MondayBreakfastTimes–Saturday 7.10–8.10am Sunday: Brunch in each Boarding House MondayLunch – Friday 12.45–1.45pm Saturday: as per the sports fixtures notice Sunday:
in
Daily Routine Time Activity 6.45am Bell rings – rise and make bed 6.45–7.15am Shower, collect clothes for the day, polish shoes, complete chore/job 7.15am Housemeeting in the Main Hall 7.30am Leave Gowan Brae for the day. Go to Breakfast in the Dining Hall 8.20am School starts 8.20am–3.25pm Year 7 attend class and in break times are located in the Sports Centre 3.25pm–4.00pm Afternoon Tea served in Gowan Brae 3.45pm–5.00pm Sport training / clubs / activities or free time 5.00pm–5.30pm Free time. Able to use mobile phones. 5.30pm–6.15pm Dinner in the Dining Hall 6.45pm Housemeeting in Main Hall 7.00pm–8.00pm 1st Prep 8.00pm–8.20pm Supper Break 8.20pm–8.50pm 2nd Prep 8.50pm School bag to be placed on bag rack and prepare for bed (teeth cleaning) 9.00pm–9.15pm All boys in bed: quiet reading with reading lights only 9.15pm All lights out ... sleep 25
A guide to conduct and School rules can be found in the front of the School Diary and should be read in further detail. This memoranda is a guide only and is reviewed regularly. They are kept to the minimum necessary to fulfill the School’s responsibility as a guardian; to ensure the safety, welfare and happiness of all its members; and to make the essential arrangements for a community where study can flourish, and where each boy has the opportunity to develop his own talents in an atmosphere of self-discipline and mutual respect. The possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs, pornography, firearms, missiles and vapes is forbidden.
Technology Computers
Bikes, Scooters and Skateboards While they are fun, boarders are not permitted to have bikes, scooters or skateboards at the School, as the internal roads carry considerable traffic. However, boarders will sometimes use the School’s Mountain Bike track on Sunday afternoons. The School provides bikes and helmets and the activity is supervised.
Tagging of all privately owned electrical equipment is a mandatory Workplace Health and Safety requirement. All privately owned electrical equipment located in the Houses will require periodic testing to ensure that it meets the safety requirements as set down in the Australian Standards In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment program. No electrical item is excluded from this mandatory requirement and legislation requires that the equipment is tested and tagged as safe every twelve Accordingly,months.
Electrical Equipment
Students should minimise the number of electrical items they bring to school and switch off appliances when not in use. Students are not permitted to bring personal televisions, fridges, heaters, electric blankets or air-conditioners. Stereos or computer speakers should be small and played at a reasonable volume which does not disturb or annoy other residents.
all privately owned electrical equipment brought into boarding houses must be tagged. Boarders can have their items tested and tagged by an accredited electrician and this service can be charged to the student’s account.
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Visitors Parents, relatives and the friends of students are welcome to visit the School, preferably out of school hours, to share some time together, to picnic in the School grounds or to explore the campus. Visitors must first make contact with the House duty staff of the day as a matter of courtesy and security. Visitors would be expected to respect normal routines and times, such as school hours, prep hours, meal times and lights Toiletsout.for visitors are located under the Doyle Canteen, under the White Oval scoreboard, in the Sports Centre and Old Gym, Futter Hall and Quadrangle area and are indicated on the School map (inside back cover). A female bathroom is available in Gowan Brae House and the White Oval.
Parents should also note that in most cases, the School’s insurance does not cover repair or replacement of items which may be damaged or stolen while at School. It is recommended that parents enquire about having valuable items covered under their family’s household insurance.
Motor Vehicles Senior boarders are permitted to have a motor vehicle parked within the School grounds. Whilst this does not apply to Year 7 students, please note a boy will NOT be allowed to travel in the car of another student (including brothers).
Tagging of Electrical Equipment
School Rules and Conduct
All boys in the Senior School will be involved in the laptop program. They can access Canvas@Kings (the School’s Learning Management System) via the wireless network across the School and in each boarding house. All students must accept and abide by the standard Computer Use Guidelines of the School. KingsNet gives parents access to a range of useful information. Parents can keep up-to-date with key events, notices, their son’s school work and subject information.
Early leave before holidays is granted only in exceptional circumstances. Applications must be made via the Leave Form on KingsNet.
• A request for leave is required prior to 10.00pm on the Thursday before the weekend on which leave is to be granted, so that weekend catering arrangements can be completed.
The following leave regulations apply to all boarders:
•
• Taking leave generally means being taken out by, or visiting an adult, who is then responsible for the boy while he is on leave.
The School has an online leave system. Boys register their leave via the system and an email is automatically sent to parents requiring them to confirm this leave request. Leave is not approved until the request has been approved by both the parent/ guardian and the Housemaster.
• The School and Housemaster can remove the right to go on leave as a sanction.
Early Leave End of Term: Early leave at the end of term will only be granted under very special circumstances and then only by the Head of Senior School. All applications must be via the Application for Leave form on KingsNet.
Returning Late at the Start of Term: Parents or guardians must inform the Housemaster as soon as possible if there is a delay in a boy returning to School at the start of term. Boarders are expected to be in residence by 8.00pm on the evening preceding the first day of lessons for the term.
Leave Saturday:Times
Boarders’ ArrangementsTravel
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Weekend Leave: Arrangements must be made with the Housemaster by 10.00pm Thursday immediately preceding the weekend.
Travel for boarders to and from The King’s School at the start and end of terms is arranged by the School Sergeant. Boarders are required to be issued with a Boarder’s Travel Pass to be eligible for free travel. Note that boys who reside outside NSW are not entitled to free travel. Applications for the Boarder’s Travel Pass are made through the School Sergeant. The School Sergeant will notify boarders when bookings are required to be made for school holiday travel. It is the boarder’s responsibility to notify the School Sergeant of his travel requirements before the cut-off date. Parents will also be notified by way of a notice on KingsNet.
School Sergeants: Mr Aaran Booth Phone 02 9683 8411 or email abooth@kings.edu.au Mr Dave Trill Phone 02 9683 8555 or email dtrill@kings.edu.au
Kingsdene: Boys are allowed to visit the Kingsdene (KD) shops after signing out. Usually, this is only on a Thursday afternoon. No boy is allowed to visit Kingsdene after 4.30pm on any day. The Caltex Service Station is strictly out of bounds to boarders.
Leave Boarders’ Leave Rules and Responsibilities
Travel Subsidy: Boarders who have to travel by private means to and from the nearest railway station or Countrylink stop are eligible to apply for a conveyance subsidy, however, there must be no alternative coach or train route. Applications are processed through the School Sergeant.
Lunch and Dinner Leave: May be taken in the grounds or at a local restaurant on request. Dinner leave during the week will only be granted to country or overseas boarders to be with parents. Parents must return their son to the House before prep time.
From after breakfast and when House and School obligations have been fulfilled. On GPS Home Rugby games, the Regatta and the GPS Athletics, leave does not commence until after the final game or event. Sunday: From after breakfast and when House and School obligations have been fulfilled. Return Saturday:Times8.00pm Sunday: Either 8.00pm, or 30 minutes before Chapel, which commences at 8.00pm.
• No boy may take overnight leave without the knowledge and agreement of his parents. All boys are expected to write a thank you note to their overnight leave hosts.
Overnight Leave: An overnight leave means overnight on Saturday night. In special circumstances, leave on Friday night may also be allowed. Departure and return times are as for day leave.
During school terms, it is important for boarders to be able to take leave, and for parents, relatives and friends to have access to them. The School wishes to maintain flexibility with leave arrangements, however, boys should not regard leave as an automatic right. On rare occasions, the School reserves the right to nominate in advance that a specific weekend will be “closed” and no leave will be granted. Parents must have the confidence that the School is exercising leave arrangements as carefully and responsibly as possible.
Evening Leave: The need for evening leave usually arises when Masters arrange for groups of boys to attend performances at, for example, the theatre or Opera House. Boys must request permission from the Housemaster to be absent.
• Special leave requests during the Term must be directed to the Head of Senior School through KingsNet. Please note that the School will generally refuse all leave requests that impact on the School’s academic program.
In Years 8–12, there maybe overseas trips arranged for Academic Departments, Duke of Edinburgh or sport, in which students may elect to participate.
There are a variety of activities available to boarders after school, on weekends or in the holidays.
For families, Saturday sport is an important part of life at King’s and a great way for them to meet their son’s new friends and their families. There are a number of canteens located at the White Oval, Massie Fields or the Doyle Grounds where parents can purchase breakfast, lunch or a cup of tea or coffee.
At Away fixtures, when boys are not returning to school for lunch, they will be provided with a meal allowance of $10. This money is not charged to your School account as it is in lieu of a meal in the Dining Hall. Parents can look up their son’s sporting fixtures and times on KingsNet by about Tuesday evening of each week so they can plan their weekend visit.
On Thursday and Friday afternoons, the woodwork and metalwork classrooms are open to students interested in this activity, called ‘Clubs’. These activities are supervised by trained staff. A range of other activities or hobbies are offered throughout the year. Activities and excursions are also organised for some weekends and boarders can sign up for those which interest them. Some weekends are unscheduled to allow boarders time to relax, or to play at their own leisure.
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Saturday Sport
Social and Weekend Activities
Along with a good education, sport is an important aspect of life at King’s. There is a wide range of sports on offer and it is compulsory for every student to participate in sport, that includes two training sessions per week and a competition fixture on Saturdays. Playing sport and supporting other teams is an important part of the School culture and a great way to make new friends. Cheering on crews at the Head of the River, our Athletics team, the 1st Football or 1st Rugby team are all key times to build School spirit.
All students are required to watch either the 1st Football or 1st Rugby on the designated Community Support Fixtures. There are only a select few of these dates per year and notification is given in advance. Boarders who are staying in for the weekend must attend the 1st Rugby whether the match is Home or Away. For parents, they too can gather at the White Oval to catch up with other boarder parents and watch the School in action. Feel free to bring along other brothers, sisters or grandparents.
For all Boarding families (or Day families who like a weekend away!), the PARKROYAL Hotel in Parramatta is our preferred supplier. They are conveniently located, have undercover parking, a buffet breakfast included in the room cost and, as a King’s family, you will receive a discount on your room. For more information, please see the ‘Parents and Community’ tab on KingsNet. You will find the King’s experience is so much more than an education. You will build lifelong friendships on the side of the sports fields, in the seats at concerts, and at the many different opportunities with which you can engage. We invite you to be ‘all in’ and make the most of the journey.
• Sporting Clubs are run by the parents with the express purpose of benefitting the students and wider TKS community within the parameters of their sport: TKS Basketball Club, TKS Cricket Club, TKS Football Club, TKW Rowing Club, TKS Rugby Club, TKS Snowsports Club, TKS Tennis Club and new to 2023, the TKS Water Polo Club Accommodation
• Art Lovers – for lovers of art to immerse themselves in our Art Shows, Expos and all manner of art activities here at King’s
• Friends of Music – a parent group that actively supports our wonderful Music Department in their work with some incredible musicians
• King’s Community Church – a family church group that meets in the historic and beautiful King’s Chapel each Sunday at 9:30am. There is also a Service of Morning Prayer each Wednesday at 7:30am. Everyone is more than welcome to attend.
Our Community A Warm CommencingWelcome!atSenior
Try to remember that you will get out of your King’s journey what you are willing to put in. Volunteer, make new connections and come on the ride. You won’t be disappointed – and it will last Pleaseforever. reach out to me if you have any further questions – mps@kings.edu.au
Mr Mike Symons Director of Community Engagement How to Contact Us email: community@kings.edu.au or phone: 9683 8413 or 9683 8613 30
School is a wonderful milestone moment for both the boys and their parents! It is an important transition when a student leaves the preparatory/primary school experience, and enters ‘big school’. It is often with mixed emotions that the milestone is approached – it can feel daunting but it is also the next part of the journey in personal growth and a new level of maturity. It can feel quite different and perhaps a little more distant for parents, as their sons start this more ‘grown up’ Somejourney.ofyou have come across the grass from Prep School, some up from Tudor House, and some from other schools. Some of you may have come from other states or even countries. All of you are warmly welcomed to the King’s community in 2023.
• King’s Womens Network – a group of mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, female teachers and partners of King’s staff. Through gatherings, events and friendships, the KWN is a group of diverse and supportive women who come together with a common interest to network and organise fun and meaningful occasions for women in the King’s community.
Just as your sons walk into the safe and experienced hands of the Gowan Brae team, so too do the Family and Friends Association (FAFA) welcome you. The FAFA is a school-wide association that has been in existence since the 1980s with the explicit purpose of bringing parents together to love the journey with their sons. Current President, Mr Simon Bedak, bleeds King’s and is approachable, generous and a wonderful role-model for our boys. The FAFA host many events here at school and around the state to give as many parents as possible the chance to make new friends, catch up with old ones and get actively involved in our community. Want to get involved? Please head to KingsNet and find the Parents and Community tab on the left-hand side for all our relevant information. But to tantalise you, here is a list of Parent Supporter groups that you might like to join:
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RIGHTS RESERVED: The information in the School Handbooks is accurate at the time of publication, but the School reserves the right to alter any of the arrangements outlined in the Handbooks at any time. 08_20223308_www.kings.edu.au | P: +612 9683 8555 | E: tks @ kings.edu.au | A: PO Box 1 Parramatta 2124, NSW Australia Cricos No: 02326F | The Council of The King’s School, ABN: 24 481 364 152 | Incorporated by The King’s School Council Act 1893