BOARDING HANDBOOKFOR PARENTSAND CHILDREN
IntroductiontoBoarding
Welcome to our wonderful boarding family at Amesbury! We are thrilled that you have chosen to board with us. Boarding is at the very centre of what we do here at school. Our boarding team is dedicated to making your experience as fulfilling and successful as possible. Being a boarder offers a unique environment that will help you grow and prepare for your progression into senior school and the world beyond.
If you are new to boarding, we understand that you may be excited but apprehensive about what lies ahead. This handbook aims to help you settle into the Amesbury community as smoothly and quickly as possible by providing an idea of what to expect and how to be prepared for the challenges ahead. We will guide and encourage you to take full advantage of our wonderful
facilities through work, music, drama, sports, or any other avenues for success.
Our most important aim for boarders at Amesbury is simple: we want to provide a safe and happy "home-from-home" so you can thrive and develop in a warm, caring, and supportive place.
Through life in the boarding house and all our activities, we hope to develop a strong sense of teamwork, respect for others, kindness, thoughtfulness, and key life skills to help you in life at Amesbury and beyond. We aim to see you grow as an individual, flourish, and fulfil your potential in the boarding community and the school.
As ever,
Mr. S Brown Head of BoardingWho’swho?
I have enjoyed the journey of being a young boarder at prep school, felt nervous when joining a senior boarding house, worked as a residential tutor, and finally became a Housemaster. I wholeheartedly love the world of boarding. The unique blend of excitement and nervousness accompanying any boarding journey is what I appreciate the most. Each day brings a tapestry of experiences, whether it’s the anticipation of a new
term, the laughter echoing around the dining hall, or the quiet conversations just before bed. Remember, boarding life is an adventure, and I’m here to guide you through its twists and turns
Meet our dedicated GAP year assistants, pivotal in fostering a welcoming environment for children in our boarding house. With their guidance and enthusiasm, they ensure a vibrant and supportive atmosphere for all.
Mr. S Brown Mr. A Armstrong Mr. T Jones Miss. S Laing Miss. G Miller Mr. G TaitKeyPrincip
Boarding at Amesbury is rooted in the aims of the school and hopes to develop the emotional resilience, independence, co-operation and tolerance of our boarders. These are key life skills that will enable pupils to move to their chosen senior schools with an air of confidence and integrity. Added to this, boarding provides a safe and nurturing environment which the pupils find both stimulating and fun.
CorePractice
Amesbury boarding will:
Develop the whole person
Create an open and trusting environment
Create an atmosphere of tolerance, openness and trust free from teasing, bullying and harassment
Safeguard and promote the welfare of each boarder
Provide accommodation that is comfortable and suited to their needs.
Develop boarders’ responsibility for self, for others
Develop boarders’ qualities of leadership and ability to work as part of a team
PastoralCare
Framework for pastoral care for boarders and communication
between ‘upstairs and downstairs’.
We have very thorough lines of communication at the school to ensure we address any problems or issues that might affect children in boarding houses or across the school.
The Boarding Staff have daily discussions about each child in the Boarding House that evening to ensure that any problems can be corrected in a smooth fashion.
Where there is a concern or difficulty in the Boarding House or around the school, the Head of Boarding, Houseparent, relevant Form Tutor, Head of Section and Deputy Headmaster are always kept fully informed and involved with decision-making.
We pride ourselves on keeping as many lines of communication open as possible so that we are aware of any issues affecting an individual boarder.
Each evening the boarding staff will send a pastoral hand over to staff; this will highlight any issues that may have cropped up over the evening.
DailyRoutine
This will be your daily routine! Don’t worry, you will always have your friends to ask if you forget and a member of staff will always be around to help you and guide you in the correct direction. It’s a busy day, but there is also plenty of time to relax and just be you.
BoardingActivities
You are encouraged to take part in a number of activities which will be run by the Duty Staff in the evenings. These include: tennis, rounders, outdoor games, sports hall activities, art and crafts, Nerf guns, jewellery making, movie nights and cooking.
In addition, there are end of term trips exclusively for those who have boarded this term. These events are a party to celebrate being part of the boarding community and may include activities such as; Bowling, Laser Tag, Go Karting and Ice Skating.
RewardsandSanctions
Our Boarding House rules are kept simple to allow all boarders to have a clear understanding of the most important requirements for a happy Boarding House and community. These rules will be reviewed frequently with the boarders so you have ownership and responsibility for them:
House Rules
1. Be kind and considerate to each other (this is most important)
2. Respect other people’s property and personal space
3. Keep dorms tidy
4. Not talk or move around the House after lights out (a good night’s sleep is vital!)
5. Be on time and follow the House routines
6. Not play ball games in the House (for obvious reasons)
7. Look after the Boarding House and keep the communal areas clean.
8. Take pride in your appearance and dress.
In addition, we have a very important rule that the children should under no circumstances visit dorms used by the opposite sex. This and any bullying incidents will be treated with great severity by the Head of Boarding, Deputy Head and Head.
We hope this Handbook has answered many of your questions about life as a boarder at Amesbury.
I am sure you will have plenty more questions along the way, so please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff at any time. We will all be very happy to help and find time for you. The Residential Boarding Staff are here for you day and night, please come and see any of us at any time.
There are so many opportunities available for you to experience and
and enjoy at Amesbury, and we hope you have a great time in the Boarding Community.
Make the most of boarding life, the fun and friendship that it brings while you are here. Bonds for life will be formed at Amesbury and you will and learn so much from being part of the Boarding Community. Look after each other and remember our key values for boarding:
Respect Each Other
Take Responsibility
Show Tolerance
Develop Friendships Be a Community
Show Kindness
Andfinally...
