House Monitors

Fr Alexander has been chaplain to St Thomas’ since 2008. He says House prayers each evening, celebrates Mass in the House every Thursday and runs the St Thomas’ Philosophy Club on a Friday evening, involving members of the Sixth Form. He organizes the House Retreat in October each year which includes a House service activity (e.g. picking apples in the Orchard) and concludes with Mass in the crypt or Village church. He also teaches an Elective Course on Spirituality to the Sixth Form each year. A former teacher of foreign languages (Spanish and Italian), he puts on a Russian Orthodox Liturgy in Russian and English twice a year in the abbey church.

The Tutors assist the Housemaster and Assistant Housemaster in caring for the House. Each tutor is assigned a year group in the House and will monitor their academic work. They will be the person to whom you should go directly if you have any problems concerning your studies. As well as having a duty day in the House, each tutor meets with their tutor group every week and reports back to the Housemaster. They are happy to meet with your parents when they visit and will update them on your progress.

House Monitors

Alongside the House staff the House monitors in the Upper 6th, led by the Head and Deputy Head of House, help to run the House on a day-to-day level.

Monitors help with the practical running of the House; supervising prep, organising teams for House competitions, helping to run House socials etc. Just as importantly they are also there more generally as boys to whom other members of the House, particularly juniors, feel they can turn if they have any problems. Their rule is crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the House and they are very important in the influence that they have over the rest of the House. It is expected that they set a good example in their approach in all aspects of life at Ampleforth –academic, sporting, spiritual and social.

Monitors are given training and guidance in their roles, and are rewarded for their extra responsibility with, among other things, a special dinner each term.

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 Housemistress or Housemaster, your Assistant Houseparent, your Matron, your Tutor or your House Chaplain. There is also a central designated safeguarding team who you are always welcome to speak to also. 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).

Medical Care in School

Matron is normally in the House between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm on weekdays. All medication is to be kept with her for safe keeping and she will accompany boys to medical appointments if possible.

The school infirmary is just down the hill from St Thomas’ if boys are feeling unwell or are

injured, although boys should always talk to Matron or Mr Rudsdale or the tutor on duty before going to the infirmary.

In the event of illness either Mr Rudsdale or Matron will make the necessary provision via the infirmary, including a doctor’s appointment if necessary. Parents are informed by either e-mail

or phone if boys are kept in the infirmary overnight for any reason.

Health and Safety in the House

You must keep your room / part of the dormitory tidy and free of litter. Furniture should not be moved in the rooms as everything has been placed carefully where it should be.

You must not fix anything to the walls except on the pin boards provided in each room. Modest posters (that you would not mind elderly relatives seeing for example!) can be put up but must be taken down at the end of each term as this is part of the letting arrangement for the holidays. Every boy is also expected to take responsibility for the public spaces in the House, helping to

create a tidy and homely environment. In addition, Matron regularly comes round and checks each room in the House.

As part of this a weekly fire check is also carried out. All electrical appliances must be PAT tested before arrival, or this will be undertaken once you arrive at school. Every study desk has power points and these can be used only for personal computers, lights and stereos. Under no circumstances should students use or bring in other electrical items such as televisions, toasters and kettles. Students have access to toasters, kettles, microwaves, cookers, refrigerators and televisions in the House.

You should familiarise yourself with the escape routes and fire procedure for the House. Regular fire drills are carried out each term where we congregate on the football pitch (Wembley).

Mr Simon Rudsdale

Housemaster St Thomas’s House Ampleforth College York YO62 4EU 01439 766702 sfr@ampleforth.org.uk

List of Important Contacts

Mrs Penny Graham

Matron St Thomas’s House Ampleforth College York YO62 4EU 01439 766706 pgra@ampleforth.org.uk

School Office School Infirmary

Other Useful Contacts

Key School Numbers

01439 766 800 01439 766 760