St Dunstan’s & St Oswald’s House Student Handbook 202 2 - 202 3
Please read this booklet carefully and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with me using the contact details at the end. See you very soon!
These are challenging ideals, but if we achieve them then the qualities that you will develop living in this House will be every bit as important as the information that you learn every day in the classroom. With tolerance and respect for those around you, you will develop strong friendships that will endure long after you have left Ampleforth. We have a reputation for being a friendly House and we all have a responsibility to ensure that it remains so. St Dunstan's and St Oswald’s aims to provide an environment in which each and every pupil can achieve their maximum potential in their unique way. The inclusive nature of the House is based on mutual respect and trust. Our desire is to enable young men not only to thrive at Ampleforth College, but also to develop the necessary skills to succeed in whatever sphere they move into. Independent thinking, learning and coping are developed from day one and a mentality of getting involved and "can do" is expected.
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Mr Steinebach, Housemaster of St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s House
In St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s we try to form a community inspired by the words of St Benedict, a community where leadership is given more by example than by words (Rule of St Benedict, 2.12); a community where equal respect and love is shown to everyone and the same discipline is applied to all (Rule of St Benedict, 2.22); a community where faults are corrected and love is safeguarded (Rule of St Benedict, Prologue: 47); in short, a community where the strong have something to yearn for and the weak nothing to run from (Rule of St Benedict, 64.19).
Welcome to St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s House We are really looking forward to you joining us in September in St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s House. It is my job to care for you as your Housemaster during your time here. This is what my wife, Rebecca, and I look like in case we have not already met. We are also new to Ampleforth, but I know just how much fun you are going to have when you arrive in September and make this your new home! This little booklet is to give you some information and some tips before you arrive about life in the House. Please show it to your parents some of the information here will be useful to them and they should read it as a supplement to the other information that will be sent to them by the Admissions Office.
This is an exciting time for St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s House as we come into our second year together in Bolton. The House is one of the five boys’ boarding houses at Ampleforth College, accommodating students from 13 19. St Dunstan’s and St Oswald’s Houses, transferred from the original school buildings to Nevill House in the late 1970s. St Dunstan, our patron, was one of the leading figures in the restoration of Benedictine monasticism in England following the Viking invasions, and stimulated the so called “10th century Renaissance” in academic and artistic achievement in late Anglo Saxon England. St Dunstan was also the first founder of Westminster Abbey, the abbey from which the monastic community at Ampleforth takes its own origin. He was the most popular saint in England for nearly two centuries, having gained fame for the many stories of his greatness, not least among which were those concerning his famed cunning in defeating the Devil. St Oswald’s House’s patron is St Oswald of Worcester. He was Archbishop of York from 972 until he died in 992 whilst washing the feet of the poor. We celebrate his life and the achievements of the boys in the House on his feast day every 28 February.
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History of the Houses
Matrons Joanne will help you settle into the House and will help you sort out your clothes, laundry and so on, and they are in charge of keeping the House clean. They will also be able to give you any medication that you need to take daily and take you to hospital if needs be. I expect all members of the House to help her by keeping the house tidy. She will be the person to go to if you feel unwell. Her room is on the 1st floor on the West side of the House and her door is always open!
House Staff
Year 12 Tutors Mr Simon Howard
Housemaster Mr Stefan Steinebach and wife Rebecca Assistant Housemaster Mr Piers Butler Matron Joanne Kelsey Year 9 Tutor tbc Year 10 Tutor Mrs Ali Rogerson Year 11 Tutor Ms Emma Naylor
Year 13 Tutors Mr Peter Anderson Dr David Moses If your teachers are worried about you, they are likely to speak to your tutor or me. If you have a problem in class, are behind in your work, or other similar problems make sure that you talk to your tutor or me. Remember we are here to help you but you make the job much easier by being open with us. Tutor Tutors will work closely with you to make sure that you are making good progress academically and also have a pastoral role to support you through any personal challenges. Your tutor and Housemaster will be the main people you go to if you have any problems concerning your work. A tutor meets with the tutorial group every week and reports back to the Housemaster. Your tutor occasionally will be in touch with your parents to update them on your progress if this is helpful.
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S T D UNSTAN ’ S & S T O SWALD ’ S H OUSE 5 The Beginning of the Academic Year Please come to the House between 3.00pm and 4.00pm on Monday, 5th September 2022. You and your parents will be welcomed at the House by me, matron, and senior boys. I will have a brief meeting with your parents and then we will have tea. Your parents will then join Mr Robin Dyer, the Headmaster, and the Dean at 4.15pm for a welcome and prayers in the Abbey Church and then they will leave Year Groups at Ampleforth We have some odd names for year groups at Ampleforth This chart aims to help you understand them: Age National Curriculum Year Ampleforth Names 13+ 9 First Year or Fourth Form 14+ 10 GCSE’s Second Year or Fifth form 15+ 11 Third Year or Remove 16+ 12 The Sixth Form Fourth Year or Middle Sixth 18+ 13 Fifth Year or Upper Sixth What You Need to Bring The Admissions Office will have supplied you with a list of clothes and other essential items. Your laundry goes to be washed on Monday evening and is returned on Wednesday so you will need sufficient clothes to cover 9 to 10 days. The school provides pillows and sheets but you will need to provide a duvet and duvet covers (help can be provided to international students to purchase these in the UK). Personal Space Each first year entrant has his own area in the in the dormitory. You are responsible for the tidiness of the area and you will also be responsible if any damage is caused to it. Sixth formers will have their own study bedrooms and they have responsibility for its tidiness and for ensuring there is no damage.
Personal Possessions
Electrical Equipment
If you are bringing any electrical equipment to school it will be PAT (safety) tested (Joanne will organise a day for whole House). You are not permitted to have kettles, toasters, electric fires, electric blankets, and so on. If you are in any doubt whether something is permitted, please ask me.
Small padlock: You will have a small lockable cupboard in your space so you will need a small padlock to secure it. Music systems: There is not room in the first year areas for music systems so, if you do want to listen to music, bring an iPod or something similar. Sixth formers may bring a music system. Bring headphones! Mobile phones: If you decide to bring one the network which works best in our area is EE. You are advised to bring a basic model. At the beginning of term I shall ask for your mobile phone number and the specific identification number for your phone. Years 9 11 will not be permitted to have their mobile phone during school hours. Subject to satisfactory academic progress, students in Years 11 13 may retain possession of their devices overnight but must not use them after the published bedtime. Equally they must not be misused during study time.
The system for laundry will be explained to you, but name tapes are vital please bring plenty of spares with you so that items purchased here can be marked. Please name tape everything before you come it is very easy to lose items in the wash if they are not named
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I would also suggest that you do not bring any items that are of particular financial or sentimental value. This is quite simply because a boarding school is an easy place to lose things and many expensive objects can be easily broken. The amount of space in the first year dormitory is limited so please do not bring too many personal possessions. Remember also that your personal possessions should be insured on your parents’ domestic insurance policy.
Laundry and Name Tapes
Communication with Parents
Email: When you get here you will be given an email address that you can use on the House computers. Email can be accessed during your free time, but it is not allowed to be used during class time or during study time.
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Email: When you get here you will be given an email address that you can use on the House computers. You will need to check your email a couple of times a day as teachers will correspond with you a great deal via email. Postal address: St Dunstan’s and Oswald’s House, Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4EU
Facebook: St Dunstan’s and Oswald’s has a Facebook site. This has proven to be a great way for friends and family to keep up to date with what is happening with the boys in the House. We post many photographs of events that take place. You do not have to be a member of Facebook to see the page, but if you are and “like” the page you will receive updates automatically.
You will not be allowed to receive calls during study time or after lights out at night.
Seeinvaluable.abovefor advice on mobile phones.
Ampleforth App: You should download this from the App Store. It will provide the most up to date information on sports fixtures, musical events, theatrical productions etc. You can access the House Facebook site via the app also. It is strongly recommend you use the app you will find it
In the first instance your parents will probably find that I am a good link to your teachers and tutor. If they are worried about you in any respect, I am the person that they should contact and my details are shown at the end of this booklet. The next most likely person they will want to talk to (for instance about any health, clothing or dietary matters) will be matron and her details are included as Shortlywell. after you arrive your tutor will be in touch with your parents notifying them of their best means of contact.
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The House computer rooms have eight computers with access to email and internet as well as the ordinary College network. If you try to access inappropriate sites you will find your computer log in blocked. If this happens see me. Sometimes the automated system has got things wrong, but on other occasions you have made wrong choices.
2. Your parents could write a cheque. Any cheques should be made payable to ‘St Laurence Education Trust’.
1. Hand in cash to Mr Steinebach on your first day
Pocket Money
3. Lodge money directly by transferring funds straight into the School Bank Account at Barclays. It is important that your parents email Mr Steinebach the details of the amount they plan to lodge so he knows to expect it and can then credit your account in the House accordingly. Above all, you should NOT carry large amounts of money around with you (nothing over £5). There is someone on duty in the study all the time, so you will find there will be no problem accessing your money regularly.
with your parents how much to bring. Each term we bill your parents with whatever you have spent; you will need to discuss with your parents what your budget is! For the sake of calculation, if you bring £1.50 per day for tuck and £10 for a pizza at the weekend that would amount to £23.50 per week. The boys usually withdraw £14 for curry, £10 for cinema trips which take place two or three times a term which you should factor into your pocket money budget. You can always ask for extra funds if required. There is a House bank where we keep pocket money for the boys, which I strongly recommend. If the boys take anything out of the tuck shop, we add this to their House bank account. You or your parents can lodge money into the House bank by either of the below methods:
House Computers
How much? The only money you need is for extra food! Food can be purchased at the House tuck shop throughout the year and can be purchased at the school shop (which also stocks sweets but also things like shoe laces and shaving foam) and at the village shop in Ampleforth (outings are permitted on PleaseSundays)discuss
S T D UNSTAN ’ S & S T O SWALD ’ S H OUSE 9 Bank details: Any cheques should be made payable to ‘St Laurence Education Trust’ Bank Name and Branch: Barclays Bank, York Account Name: St Laurence Education Trust Account Number: 03744795 Sort Code 20 99 15 IBAN: GB49 BARC 2099 1503 7447 95 SWIFTBIC: BARCGB22 Train Tickets: The College has a special arrangement with East Coast Rail which means we can get cheap tickets for those travelling to and from Kings Cross or Edinburgh at the beginning and end of terms and half terms provided we have enough advanced notice. These can be booked through the School Travel Coordinator, Mrs Suzie Boam. The cost is placed on the end of term bill. Mrs Boam’s contact details are: sagb@ampleforth.org.uk 01439 766440 Tickets to other destinations can also be purchased Chits and School Accounts Most legitimate expenses such as stationery, toiletries, and games kit can be purchased using a ‘chit’ signed by me, the Matron, or the Assistant Housemaster. The cost of these, of school trips and other such events is placed straight onto your parents’ bill.
• Parents who take out students (including those who are not their own children) take full responsibility for their supervision, safety and well being
• No member of the school may be driven by another member of the school or by a person under the age of 25 (unless a brother or sister of the intending passenger and then only with parent’s permission).
• Parents take responsibility for the supervision of any members of the school invited out
• Permission is normally given for students to go out after games commitments and activities on Saturday
Weekend visits: I am delighted that your parents should visit and normally I will give permission for you to go out with them, of course. There are three reasons why I may not give permission. Firstly, Ampleforth is a full boarding school and a large exodus at weekends can be harmful to the sense of purpose and community. Therefore, I like to ensure that there are a healthy number of boys in the House at any one time. Secondly, you may have a commitment that you have to fulfil and this will take priority. Finally, you may be confined to the House for disciplinary purposes. If you do get permission to go out with your parents, you may do so after your afternoon commitments, such as games or activities. You may stay out overnight provided that you are back for Mass on Sunday morning. Usually your parents should ring or email me to say that they are coming and this is especially important if you are asking to take other boys out over the course of the weekend. Permission for weekend absences is required by Thursday evening
• Parents may not take more than three student guests on any one occasion. Special rules apply to 18th birthday parties which can be found in the Parents Handbook
• Parents are asked to ensure the good behaviour of all student guests
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Conditions of leave
• Students should not be left alone in a public house and there should be close supervision at all times
Visiting and Going Out Holiday weekend: Our first exeat of the year comes on Friday 23rd September. You are free to leave school at 5.15pm on Thursday 22nd September if you are leaving by car. The College coach and train service departs shortly after 7.30am on Friday 23rd September. You are expected to return by 9pm on Monday 26th September. I will ask you for travel arrangements shortly after the start of term. I will be very reluctant to give boarders permission to go home early in the term. Experience has taught us that this is the best regime for ensuring the year group settles quickly. We will make sure there is plenty happening. Thereafter I will review all requests with sympathy if not always in the affirmative!
• School rules about alcohol and tobacco should be observed. (A limited amount of alcohol is only permissible for students in the Sixth Form over the age of 16 years with a meal.)
• Cars: students must be allocated their own seat in a car and must wear a seatbelt when travelling
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In the normal course of boarding school life, I will give student’s permission to leave the campus. This might be for a shopping trip to the village or elsewhere or for other routine expeditions of an educational, social or sporting nature. I can also give permission for your child to go out with other parents. While these parents are given guidelines to ensure that the Ampleforth Code is followed, the College does not have direct control over these occasions.
• Students should be returned to houses by the following times: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Years by 9.30pm; 6th Form by 10.30pm Sleeping out:
• Parents are asked to return students to their relevant boarding houses in good time, making contact with their Housemaster/Housemistress
• Permission from Housemaster/Housemistress may be given on occasions
• Students must be available for matches and other events for which they have been prepared
• Travel arrangements must be agreed with the Housemaster/Housemistress
• All boarders must attend Sunday Mass at 10am in the Abbey Church, unless other arrangements have been made with the Housemaster/Housemistress
Housemaster Permissions
If a student is seeking permission for absence involving an overnight stay, other than on a school activity, I will seek your permission. Please contact me if you are not happy to consent to this protocol or if you have any questions.
The Tutor The tutor is mostly responsible for the boys’ academic progress (although there is of course a crossover with their pastoral wellbeing) and will specifically monitor their effort, attainment and prep grades. The tutor will meet with the boys weekly for both group and one to one meetings, and will oversee how they are coping with their timetable. At the beginning of term, the tutor will issue them with their timetables and inform them about the academic life of the school, as well as all the other things they will need to know. Academic Sets New students will be placed in sets according to their Common Entrance (CE) marks. If they have not taken CE then we will use the previous school references to guide us. The setting is very fluid for the first half term and a lot of resetting can take place. Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) All students will be expected to take French or Spanish and one other MFL (the exception being those who may have Special Educational Needs or who do not have English as their first language we will assess such cases and decide on what is best for them, keeping you informed). You should have been sent a preference form to indicate your choice of second language and, if you haven’t already done so, please ensure that you do return the form soon to help ensure that your son is allocated your preferred choice.
These may alter slightly throughout the year – earlier when required and occasionally later. Sleep is crucial for dealing with challenges that you will face whilst at Ampleforth. Please be respectful of others wish to get enough sleep and remember that you will be living together. Be prompt into bed and keep quiet after lights out. On arising for the Work of God, they will quietly encourage each other, for the sleepy like to make excuses. (Rule of St Benedict, 22.8) Academic Information
You will be given your timetable by your tutor during the first week. However, you are required to be at prayers and check in, having showered and had breakfast by 0820hrs. Generally, you will have four 50 minute lessons in the morning and then either games, activities or more lessons in the Weekdayafternoons.bedtimes are: 1st year 21:30 2nd year 21:45 Remove 22:00 Middle Sixth 22:15 Upper Sixth 22:30
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The Daily Routine
All Year 9 students have class music lessons, but if you would like your son to have individual music lessons, please make sure that you fill out the lesson request form that you will receive over the summer break and return it to the address specified. Individual music lessons last 35 minutes and are usually timetabled during academic lessons; this works on a rota so that a particular subject is not missed more than once a half term, and students do not miss entire class lessons.
Students should make sure that they come with all the class equipment they will need (pencil cases, pens, pencils, rulers, geometry set etc.). However, these things can be bought in the School Shop or the Mathematics Department if they lose them.
S T D UNSTAN ’ S & S T O SWALD ’ S H OUSE 13 Science Science setting often causes concern due to the fact that a bright student can seem to be in a low set, but this is due to the fact that Science operates a three set ability range, spread over five or six sets e.g. sets 1 and 2 are essentially both set 1, etc.
Individual Music Lessons
Scholarships Scholarships at Ampleforth are awarded in recognition of academic ability or particular talent in Art, Design & Technology, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport. Scholarships are prestigious and scholars are expected to demonstrate a strong contribution and leadership in their field of interest. They are also expected to make the most of the many opportunities on offer to further their talents and each scholar is assigned a personal Scholarship Mentor to monitor and support their progress.
All Scholarships are subject to annual review and are tenable for a specific educational stage. Basil Hume scholarships are held for three years before assessment for a Senior Scholarship into the Sixth Form. All Scholarship details are on the website: https://www.ampleforthcollege.org.uk/college/admissions/admissions procedures/academic awards scholarships
Those who have performed well in CE Latin will be put into Latin sets, similarly for Greek. If they have not studied Greek before but have done exceptionally well in Latin then they will be put into a beginner’s set. If they are not timetabled Latin but you have strong views about them studying it, then please get in touch as we can often get them into a beginner’s set.
Stationery and Class Equipment
Latin and Greek
You will be expected to take a calculator to all mathematics and science lessons, and if you already have a calculator then you should bring that, but please do not buy one especially as the department sells an approved model.
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Ampleforth College Dress Code
Shoes Smart, formal, black or navy, leather or suede shoes, loafers or flat shoes only. No ‘supergas’ style shoes, no thick soled shoes, no trainers, no canvas, pumps or casual shoes. Brown shoes allowed in 6th form only.
Hair Sensible hair styles of natural colour. Hair tied up for mass. Boys should be clean shaven. Make up and jewellery Discrete and simple jewellery allowed. Stud or sleeper in each ear. Discrete make up.
Mass For mass a dark, formal or tweed suit must be worn. Black or school tie. White shirt only. Hair to be tied up neatly for mass.
Everyday school dress during the Autumn and Spring Term: Jackets Must be worn at all times and not carried. They can be removed in lessons. Formal, smart suit style jacket, dark in colour. Tweed jacket.
Dark, formal, fitted, plain, smart V neck jumper. No sports brands, stripes. No fleece Quartermaterial.zip
Summer term In the summer months, after permission from the Deputy Head is announced, the following changes to the dress code apply: Jackets are optional. Ties are optional. Pale/light/natural coloured trousers are allowed. Shirts must always still be tucked in. Top buttons can be undone.
Dark, formal, tailored trousers, chinos or cords. Must be ankle length. Cannot be jeans or ‘jean cut’ trousers with external rear pockets or studs.
Skirts Formal, knee length (or palm width above the knee), black, navy, smart skirt. No cord or denim. Tights must be worn with a skirt, black, opaque or natural. Shirts Shirts must be worn at all times. Smart, fitted, formal, pale colour or discretely striped, tucked in. Girls can have their top button undone.
Trousers
Jumpers
Dark, formal, fitted, plain, smart. No sports brands. Gilet dark, formal, fitted, plain, smart. No sports brands. Tie Black or official sports team, club, house or society tie can be worn. Black tie on a Monday. Outer coat Must be smart, plain, formal. No sports branded coats.
Deputy Head of House: Felix Henckel von Donnersmarck
House Jobs and Positions of Responsibility
Catechist: Felix Henckel von Donnersmarck
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Head of House: Tom Miller
We have a head of House with a deputy who are senior boys who were chosen in the summer term to serve the House in the coming year. We try to ensure that the young men who fill these senior positions in the House are chosen for their good character and common sense. Their job has a bit to do with organising things in the House and making sure that more junior boys contribute to the community of the House, but this is not the most important part of their task. We expect them to set an example of good behaviour and kindness and we hope that they will be young men you can turn to for advice or help if there is a problem in your life here which you do not think needs the immediate help of the adults in the House.
There are a number of small jobs which help the smooth running of the House (tidying the kitchens, ringing the bell for lessons etc.) and everyone has a part to play with these. I will allocate jobs on a rota basis so that these responsibilities are shared out fairly.
Eucharistic Minister: Dominic Kirwan and Alexander Orr
S T D UNSTAN ’ S & S T O SWALD ’ S H OUSE 16 Medical We have an infirmary on site where you will be taken if you are ill or suffer an injury of any kind. If you have to go to the hospital for an appointment is most likely that Joanne, our Matron, will take you. Joanne’s contact details are given at the end of this booklet. Your parents will be contacted if you are admitted to the infirmary. Contact details for the infirmary are: Lead Nurse: William Skinner Telephone: 01439 766760 Email: infirmary@ampleforth.org.uk Any Questions? If you or your parents have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Both Matron and I shall be away from the House during the summer holidays, but you can always send me an email: I will check my emails regularly during the break. I hope you are enjoying a good holiday, and I look forward to seeing you in September. Stefan Steinebach
Joanne.Kelsey@ampleforth.org.ukJoanneStefan.Steinebach@ampleforth.org.ukHousemasterKelseyMatron
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Your safety and happiness are very important to us. You will get to know a broad range of staff who you will form positive relationships with and who you should feel comfortable talking to if you have a problem or a concern. Usually this will be members of your House Team such as your Housemaster, your Assistant Housemaster, your Matron, your Tutor or your House Chaplain. There is also a central designated safeguarding team who you are always welcome to speak to. Posters with their names and faces on will be put up on your boarding house noticeboard along with their contact details also. Dr Dunn is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Safeguarding
