7. KEY DATES IN THE MICHAELMAS TERM CALENDAR

Key Dates in the Michaelmas Term Calendar

Although the prospect of a new academic year is an exciting one, there are a number of additional considerations surrounding this year’s return to School. From quarantine for international boarders to the training and induction of staff and boys, we will take slightly longer to ease back into the normal working day in September. The School Calendar will be populated with events, as usual, over the summer break. However, as you will appreciate, next term’s events are subject to alteration, postponement or cancellation as the situation demands.

The following are some of the key dates for the term ahead.

Thursday 20 to Sunday 22 August

International boarders requiring quarantine will arrive during this period. Transport to School from airports will be arranged.

Friday 29 August to Saturday 5 September

Whole Staff INSET and training will take place over this period (Medical Centre and boarding staff will receive additional training in advance of this phase).

Saturday 5 September

End of quarantine: international boarders transfer to their Houses.

Sunday 6 September

New Boys’ Day. All new Third, Fourth and Lower Sixth Form boys are to arrive in specified time slots between 2.00 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to permit social distancing and reduce congestion. Housemasters will be in touch with families to arrange exact timings in advance.

Monday 7 September

Induction for new boys will continue. The returning Lower Sixth Form will come back between 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. for an induction session. All other boys will return between 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.. Again, Housemasters will be in touch with families to arrange timings in advance to permit social distancing and reduce congestion.

Tuesday 8 September

Academic lessons will begin after initial House-based training for all boys during the morning. This training will focus on the operational procedures that boys will be required to follow during the School day.

Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September

First exeat. All pupils will go home, other than the few who are unable to make alternative arrangements and who will therefore be permitted to remain in School (although not necessarily in their own boarding House). For those boys travelling by rail, year groups will be allocated to different trains to stagger departure times and reduce congestion.

Friday 16 October – Sunday 1 November

Half term. All pupils will go home or to guardians during this period. For those boys travelling by rail, year groups will be allocated to different trains to stagger departure times and reduce congestion. Parent pick-ups at Houses will be co-ordinated via Housemasters.

Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November

Second exeat. All pupils will go home other than the few who are unable to make alternative arrangements. For those boys travelling by rail, year groups will be allocated to different trains to stagger departure times and reduce congestion.

Saturday 12 December

Term ends after commitments. We hope that our traditional end of term Carol Service will go ahead as planned. However, should it not be possible to hold the service, term will end at 12:30 p.m.. Again, for those boys travelling by rail, year groups will be allocated to different trains to stagger departure times and reduce congestion. Parent pick-ups at Houses will be co-ordinated via Housemasters