St. George's International School Boarding Handbook

BOARDING INFORMATION FOR BOARDERS AND PARENTS 2022-2023

CONTENTS YOUR DETAILS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

BOARDING MISSION STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

ALCOHOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

A VERY WARM WELCOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

BEDROOMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

CONTACTING THE BOARDING TEAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

BEDTIMES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

TERM DATES 2022-2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

BICYCLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

WEEKDAY ROUTINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

BREAKAGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

GOING INTO TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

CANDLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

WEEKEND ROUTINE IN SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

CARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

LEAVING THE SCHOOL FOR A WEEKEND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

CCTV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

THE SCHOOL DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CLUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

LAUNDRY ROUTINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

CHECK-INS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

NAMING CLOTHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

COMPLAINTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

LOST PROPERTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

DRUGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

MEDICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

DENTIST AND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

ENGLISH SPEAKING ZONES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

MONEY MATTERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

FIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

FOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRINKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

GUESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

TOBACCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

ELECTRICAL COOKING APPLIANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

MEALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MEDICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

HAIR STYLING RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MOBILES PHONES, WI-FI AND ACCESSING SCHOOL EMAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

MOBILE PHONES & LAPTOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

BOARDING PRIVILEGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PASSPORTS, IDENTITY CARDS AND PERMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

REWARDS & SANCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

SOCIAL AND PRIVATE AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

STUDENT VOICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

SORTIE (TOWN LEAVE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

END/START OF TERM TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

SMOKING POLICY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

LUGGAGE STORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

STUDY LEAVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WITHIN BOARDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

TELEVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE BOARDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

VALUABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

MONTREUX BOUNDS MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

VISITORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

VEVEY BOUNDS MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

WEEKEND LEAVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

A QUICK A TO Z GUIDE FOR BOARDERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

YOUR DETAILS YOUR NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PERSONAL TUTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHOOL YEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HEAD OF SECTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

HEAD OF HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

BOARDING MISSION STATEMENT With over 90 years’ experience in nurturing young minds, St. George’s International School in Montreux is one of the premier educational institutions in Switzerland. Our boarding facilities are an extension of our commitment to excellence in every aspect of the care of our students – a safe and secure environment ensuring they can thrive; a real ‘home away from home’.

Boarding life at St. George’s offers an outstanding environment for your child to benefit from our professional team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are dedicated to helping your child prepare for the challenges they face, both inside and outside the classroom. They can expect a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone is treated as an individual and inspired to explore their potential. With our team support and encouragement, each student will be given the opportunity to realise what they are truly capable of.

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

The boarding life at St. George’s was the precious time that I spent with my 2nd family. Honestly, it wasn’t easy to get through every difficulty such as being homesick, although all the boarding staff were always there for us to support us. Here is the unforgettable phrase that I was told. “We are a big family. I am your father in this house and when you are sad, I’m sad too. When you are happy, I’m happy too. I feel how you feel. So, don’t feel you are alone and don’t forget to smile because that makes the whole the boarding house family smile.” This word gave me the place to be in boarding.

In my two years in St George’s boarding, I have been able to meet many new people and become familiar with many different cultures. I took the time to try out new activities and various challenges, which I will always look back on fondly. The largest benefit of living in boarding is being able to live and work in a very comfortable environment where you can balance your academics with the various sports and recreational pursuits on offer. Another big advantage of St George’s boarding is its majestic location between, and close to, both Montreux and Vevey, a short drive away from the ski slopes, and a few metres away from the stunning Lake Geneva. You can expose yourself to every element of the natural beauty that surrounds you regardless of where you look.

The experiences I had in the past three years in boarding are numerous and every single one of them changed my personality to allow me to become responsible, helpful, tactful, brave, sociable and confident, which are all attributes that are definitely required when I join new communities in the university. I am so grateful to have amazing people and beautiful nature around me at SGIS. I cannot thank enough to my family who let me come to SGIS and all the boarding staff, teachers, cleaning ladies and my friends.

NAYEF M. YEAR 13, 2020

I have been a boarding student since I was 5 years old, but the boarding at St. George’s has been the best experience for me. The international atmosphere, a variety of winter and summer sports, all kinds of interesting people, and warm staff, I will definitely remember those memories and take them with me for the coming phase of my life.

Having been a boarder for ... a long time offered many opportunities such as BEING WITH YOUR FRIENDS ALL THE TIME, becoming a family with people from all over the world and learning how to live in an international community. Not only do you have your friends by your side (when literally sharing one room) but you can also go to the common room to play games, socialise in the canteen during tea time, and challenge yourself with the different activities on offer! Another reason to attend an English speaking boarding school in Switzerland is that you get to speak English at “home” boarding, and practice French when you are out in town. Moreover, most importantly, you learn how to be INDEPENDENT because your family is far away from you and you need to take responsibility to study by yourself, go out into town within permitted hours to buy your essentials, as well as follow the rules of the boarding house. And there are soooo many more positives to being a boarder... but if I had to list all of them, the message would be endless!

RICK Z. YEAR 13, 2020

ANNA B, YEAR 13 2020

SUZUKA M. YEAR 13, 2020

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

A VERY WARM WELCOME TO ST. GEORGE’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDING FAMILY! For those of you who are new to the school, this will be the first experience you have of boarding life and I am sure you will be nervous, excited and have lots of questions. I hope this booklet will answer as many of those questions as possible and help guide you through your first few weeks of school. For returning students, most of the information here will be well known to you, but will still serve as a useful reference as things change every year.

Being a boarder at St. George’s is to be part of a fun, vibrant and supportive international community. We are a mixed boarding house and enjoy a family atmosphere that promoting tolerance, empathy and understanding among our community. The friends you make here at St. George’s will become friends for life.

The boarding team is here to help and support you in all aspects of your life while at St. George’s. We will go through all your ups and downs and will always have time for you if you need to talk.

Helping you flourish and realise your potential is the highlight of our role, which is why we’re there for you at every step of your journey at St. George’s.

Being a boarder is so much more than just living at school.

Boarding is about making the most of your school years – trying new things, having a go at all the exciting clubs the school offers, making friends from all over the world, immersing yourself into Swiss culture – the list is endless.

Be open to new experiences, embrace every opportunity, get involved in as much as you can, and you will find that your time at St. George’s will be a rich and rewarding experience with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Mrs Marie West Head of Boarding

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

CONTACTING THE BOARDING TEAM Boarding Duty Number

+41 21 989 21 83

Email

boysboarding@stgeorges.ch girlsboarding@stgeorges.ch

Web Page

https://stgeorges.ch/boarding

Post

Chemin de Saint Georges 19, 1815 Clarens, Switzerland

School Nurse

hbfredj@stgeorges.ch/ +41 21 964 34 11

OTHER USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS Swiss Child Emergency Line

147

Narcotics Anonymous

10840 121 212

Crisis Line (Samaritans)

143

SAFEGUARDING LEADS If you have a concern for yourself or a fellow student, or if you feel you have been unfairly treated, you can speak to any member of the boarding team, the nurse, your tutor or other school staff in confidence. If you are nervous, take a friend with you.

The School has two designated safeguarding leads: Mrs. Kling (lkling@stgeorges.ch) and Mrs Marie West. They will be informed of concerns when required; and you can also contact them directly in confidence.

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

TERM DATES 2022-2023 TERM 1 New boarding students arrive

Sun 28th August

Orientation day for all new students

Mon 29th August

First day of term

Tue 30th August

Public holiday (lundi du Jeûne fédéral)

Mon 19th September

Field trips (Senior School + Middle School)

Sun 16th to Thurs 20th October

Field trips Year 6

Tues 18th to Thurs 20th October

Years 6 to 13 day off

Fri 21st October

Half term holiday

Sat 22nd October to Sun 30th October

Last day of term

Thurs 15th December

Boarders leave

Thurs 15th (after school) Fri 16th December

TERM 2 Boarders return

Sun 8th January

First day of term

Mon 9th January

Half term holiday

Sat 18th to Sun 26th February

Last day of term

Thurs 30th March

Boarders leave

Thurs 30th March (after school) / Fri 31st March

TERM 3 Boarders return

Sun 16th April

First day of term

Mon 17th April

Ascension holiday

Thurs 18th and Fri 19th May

Pentecost holiday

Mon 29th May

Whole school finishes

Wed 21st June

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

LEARNING PRINCIPLES At St. George’s International School, we have embraced the following 6 elements and embed them into our learning principles.

Curious

Thoughtful

Balanced

Resilient

Collaborative

Reflective

Our aim is to create truly intercultural and global citizens. This extends into the boarding house and forms a fundamental part of how we support our boarders to develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

CURIOUS

THOUGHTFUL

We are full of wonder about the world and we want to understand and explore the beauty and diversity of life.

We nurture our natural curiosity to become lifelong learners.

We contribute our own interests and prior knowledge to school activities.

We make responsible decisions and we show integrity and pride in all we do.

We are aware of the needs of others and we show empathy, compassion and respect in our interactions with them.

We use critical and creative thinking skills to expand our learning.

REFLECTIVE We value time to reflect on our successes and challenges.

We reflect on our progress and identify strengths and targets for improvement.

We recognise the tools we need to use to develop and seek advice to make the best choices.

LEARNING PRINCIPLES AT ST. GEORGE’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, WE ARE

COLLABORATIVE

RESILIENT

We acknowledge that for effective learning to happen within a spirit of cooperation, everyone’s role is equally important.

We promote team work to enhance our experiences and explore big ideas together.

We encourage dialogue and feedback to ensure effective learning.

St. George's International School

BALANCED We balance our commitments to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We organise our time and tasks in an effective manner.

We are mindful of our own character and feelings and of those in our community.

We see the acquisition of knowledge as a journey.

We step out of our comfort zone.

We embrace challenges that need to be overcome.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

WEEKDAY ROUTINE YEARS 6 TO 13 7.00am

Wake up and get ready for school.

7.15am – 7.40am

Breakfast in dining room.

7.40am – 8.00am

Tidy room, prepare for the day and hand in mobile phones.

8.00am – 8.15am

Daily announcements.

8.15am – 3.50pm

School day – boarding house closed, Seniors have access from 12.20pm.

4.00pm – 6.30pm

Clubs (4.00pm – 5.00pm) and prep time (5.15pm – 6.30pm).

6.45pm – 7.20pm

Supper in dining room.

7.30pm

Evening check-in.

YEARS 6 TO 9

YEARS 10 TO 13

7.45pm – 8.30pm

Free time, gym, sports hall.

7.45pm – 9.00pm

Free time, gym, sports hall.

8.30pm – 9.00pm

Snack.

9.00pm – 9.30pm

Snack.

9.00pm – 9.15pm

Tidy up and hand in electronics.

9.30pm – 9.45pm

Tidy up and hand in electronics (Years 10 to 11 only).

9.15pm – 9.30pm

Get ready for bed.

9.45pm – 10.00pm

Get ready for bed.

9.30pm

Lights out.

10.00pm

Lights out and quiet house.

10.30pm

Years 12 to 13 in rooms.

ON FRIDAYS There is no prep.

Students other than Years 8 to 9 can keep their phones overnight.

Bedtimes are 30 minutes later.

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

GOING INTO TOWN Students can leave campus , depending on their year group. They may visit Vevey or Montreux, but must be in pairs at a minimum. Those aged 18, and who have parental permission, may take sortie alone.

All students must carry a mobile phone that can make and receive calls in Switzerland. The phone must be fully charged and have the boarding contact numbers saved into the memory.

Students must sign out at the boarding office before they leave school grounds, and must sign back in as soon as they return. This must be done in person with a member of the Boarding staff. If for any reason students are delayed in getting back they must call the boarding office to let them know.

Transport is not provided by the school for sorties. Students must take public transport or the school’s recommended taxi firm.

A taxi slip must be signed by a member of the Boarding staff; the taxi fare will be added to the school bill.

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

WEEKEND ROUTINE IN SCHOOL Weekend bedtimes: Saturday is the same as Friday unless there is an early morning activity on Sunday (such as skiing during the winter term).

The Sunday routine is the same as Mondays – Thursdays, including prep time.

A typical weekend will include at least one offsite enrichment trip or activity. Weekend activities are usually compulsory for Years 6 through to Year 10.

Brunch is usually served on either the Saturday or Sunday morning, depending on the activities.

LEAVING THE SCHOOL FOR A WEEKEND Students may leave school for the weekend with family or friends, as long as their parents complete the weekend leave form and send it to the school’s boarding office by 8.00am the preceding Thursday.

Students must make sure their academic commitments are fulfilled before they leave for a weekend. They will not be permitted to leave school if there is no responsible adult.

For a weekend with their own family parents should send a completed weekend leave form to the school boarding office, with all the sections completed.

For a weekend with another family from the school community or extend family friends/relations Weekend leave forms must be submitted to the school boarding office by the parents of students leaving and the family/friends hosting. Students may leave after 4.00pm on the Friday and should return before 9.00pm on the Sunday.

Students leaving the country for the weekend are responsible for making sure they have the correct travel documents and passports before leaving the school. The school is not responsible for the students’ transport.

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

THE SCHOOL DAY A normal school day follows the format below. There are slight changes in the winter term for the ski programme.

Students will have either lesson 4 or 4J marked as their designated lunch hour.

Students must remain on campus during the school day, except for attending prior arranged medical appointments.

8.15am – 8.30am

Registration with tutor

8.30am – 9.30am

Lesson 1

9.30am – 10.30am

Lesson 2

10.30am – 10.50am

Break – snack in the dining hall

10.50am – 11.50am

Lesson 3

11.50am – 12.50pm

Lesson 4

Students have EITHER

Lesson 4 or 4J for lunch

12.50pm– 1.50pm

Lesson 4J

1.50pm – 2.50pm

Lesson 5

2.50pm – 3.50pm

Lesson 6

4.00pm – 5.00pm

Clubs

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

LAUNDRY ROUTINE Each student is given a laundry bag and number at the beginning of the year, with separate bags for underwear. Laundry is done on a Sunday night after prep and students must clearly list all items that go into the laundry on a sheet provided.

The laundry bags are then taken by the student to the laundry on Monday morning before breakfast. School uniform, as well as personal clothes, go into the same bag.

Clean laundry will be returned on Thursday evening after dinner.

Students must ensure that they have enough uniform and personal clothes to last them from one laundry day to the next.

Weekly boarders can give their uniform to the laundry free of charge; any personal items will incur an extra cost.

Some clothes may require dry cleaning. The laundry will separate these items and ask the students’ permission before sending them off to external dry cleaners as this will incur an extra cost. Dry cleaned items will be returned two weeks later.

NAMING CLOTHING Every boarder is assigned their own personal laundry number. Each item of clothing (except underwear) must be marked with that number using a permanent laundry marker pen, supplied by the boarding office).

Underwear must be numbered and placed in a separate, sealable underwear bag, ready for washing.

Students are asked not to bring too many personal items of clothing to school as space is limited and they will be wearing uniform Mondays to Fridays during the school day anyway.

LOST PROPERTY Lost property is kept in the pound and in the changing rooms and can be retrieved upon request. Valuables are either handed in at the school office or the boarding office.

Lost or unclaimed laundry will be displayed every Thursday when laundry is collected. Any unclaimed items will be given to charity at the end of the school year.

St. George's International School

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

MEDICAL The school nurse is available Mondays to Thursdays from 7.30am until 3.30pm, and Fridays 7.30am to 12.00pm. We have a dedicated doctor who visits the school once a week when needed.

At all other times senior house members are available for medical matters. In case of an emergency, there are excellent medical facilities close to the school and the school doctor is also on call for medical advice in emergencies.

First aid medication is available in the nurse’s room as well as the boarding office.

Students’ personal medication MUST be kept in the boarding office and will be administered by the school nurse or senior house members.

A detailed record is kept. Students are not allowed to keep ANY medication in their rooms.

If a student feels unwell during the school day, they should report to the school nurse directly. If the school nurse is not available, they should report to the boarding office.

DENTIST AND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS Montreux and Vevey have a number of doctor’s’ surgeries and dentists. When needed, the school nurse will arrange appointments.

Where possible, students will be accompanied by the school nurse or a member of the boarding staff. If this is not possible, older students can use public transport or a taxi can be arranged.

Younger students and those who require assistance will always be accompanied.

Emergency appointments can be arranged by the school nurse or boarding staff; all students attending emergency appointments will be accompanied.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

MONEY MATTERS Pocket money for boarders Our finance department will assist students with all matters relating to money and finance.

Although each student has a safe in their room, we recommend that no large sums of cash are not kept in the safe.

We operate a pocket money system which deposits pocket money into the boarding office every Friday boarding, ready for students to collect over the course of the next week during sortie times (usually 4.00pm to 6.30pm Mondays to Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, although times can vary).

The pocket money taken is signed for by the students.

Students can only take money if there is enough in their account.

Parents are invoiced for the pocket money; the recommended amounts are as follows: Students aged 10-16 years: 30 francs per week Students aged over 16 years: 50 francs per week.

If parents wish their child to obtain a larger amount (for example, if a student is signing out for a weekend and needs a larger sum of money) they should please notify the finance department (finance@stgeorges.ch) to arrange it. Students can collect this extra money direct from the finance department. The boarding department does not deal with any money matters and parents should please contact the Finance Department directly.

IMPORTANT We strongly advise students do not lend or borrow money from each other. We cannot be held responsible for any debts incurred.

Students must report missing cash immediately to a member of the boarding team. Where there is reasonable suspicion that a theft has occurred, the police will be informed. We recommend all students lock valuables away in their bedroom safe and keep their safe code confidential. Students should have no more than CHF200 cash in their safe.

REMEMBER ‘Borrowing’ something without asking is theft. Theft could result in students being asked to leave boarding temporarily or permanently (see Boarding Behaviour Contract).

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

FOOD Boarders are not allowed to keep food in their rooms. Small snacks may be kept and eaten in the boarders’ common room, but NO food is allowed to be kept in bedrooms.

If food is found in bedrooms, it will be confiscated.

A small snack such as a chocolate bar, biscuit or an apple may be taken to the room.

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRINKS St. George’s is an alcohol free school. Under no circumstances is alcohol allowed on campus or in school buildings, including the boarding house. If a student is found in possession of alcohol the school reserves the right to suspend or exclude the student.

The school reserves the right to conduct random alcohol tests and room searches.

TOBACCO St. George’s is a non- smoking school and it is illegal to smoke in any of the school buildings, including the boarding house. Smoking, vaping, possession of, or involvement in, distribution of tobacco, smoking related materials or vaping materials is strictly forbidden.

If a student is found in possession of tobacco or vaping equipment the school reserves the right to suspend or exclude the student.

ELECTRICAL COOKING APPLIANCES It is strictly forbidden to have any electrical cooking appliances such as kettles, rice cookers etc. in bedrooms.

There are kettles and cooking facilities for small snacks in the boarders’ common room.

If any electrical cooking appliances are found in the boarders’ rooms they will be confiscated.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOING Under no circumstances are boarders allowed to have body tattoos whilst staying in boarding.

It is illegal in Switzerland to ink a tattoo on anyone younger than 18. It is also illegal to have body piercings under the age of 18.

Students aged between 16 and 18 may get their ears pierced with their parents’ written consent.

Students may wear one pair of discrete ear studs. The school reserves the right to ask students to remove piercings that are considered inappropriate.

HAIR STYLING RULES Boarders may re-colour or dye their hair in natural hair colours only. The school reserves the right to tell a student to re-colour their hair if it is deemed an inappropriate colour.

Boarders may not cut their own hair or that of other boarders. In extreme cases students will be instructed to have their hair restyled.

MOBILE PHONES & LAPTOPS Years 6 to 11 must hand in their mobile phones and laptops overnight, on school nights.

Years 6 to 9: phones are handed in at 9.15pm. Years 10 to 11: phones are handed in at 9.45pm.

If a compulsory early morning activity for Years 6 to 10 is run at the weekend, (such as Sunday skiing), electronics must be handed it the night before (half an hour later than during the week).

Years 12 to 13 may keep their phones and laptops over night. If Year 12 to 13 students fail to be on time for school commitments , particularly in the morning, the boarding team may ask them to hand in their devices at night.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

BOARDING PRIVILEGES REWARDS & SANCTIONS A system of rewards and sanctions is based on setting oneself high standards and accepting responsibility.

Boarding staff at St. George’s expect high standards from students at all times, and in return, students can expect to have their efforts recognised.

Students’ efforts (academic and community) impact not only on themselves but on the whole school and boarding community. A rewards and sanctions record is kept by the boarding staff and is at all times communicated with – and visible to – the students at all times.

Rewards are given for consistent bedroom tidiness, community service, charitable efforts and acts of kindness.

The boarding house has a system of praising and acknowledging rewards and boarders are encouraged to suggest rewards they find motivating.

Rewards are recognised with ‘Boarder of the Half Term’, ‘Boarder of the Term’ and ‘Boarder of the Year’ nominations, as well as letters to tutors, heads of section, and parents.

Sanctions are given for infringements of boarding expectations and the Boarding Behaviour Contract.

Sanctions, such as loss of free time, electronic devices and other privileges, are part of the Boarding House Rules, however, the boarding staff encourage students to suggest sanctions that show they have reflected on their behaviour and understood the importance of mutual respect and trust within the boarding community.

STUDENT VOICE Boarders contribute to the boarding community in many ways.

The student voice is central to the boarders’ ownership of boarding.

Our Boarding Committee meets regularly with the Captain for each year. Any student from Year 6 to Year 13 can make suggestions to their ‘Year Captain’.

Topics of discussion include: Whole boarding issues, expectations, student initiatives, planning, organising and coordinating social, sports and service events in boarding.

We also have Boarding Monitors, who have specific areas of interest and experience in the boarding community, such as sports activities, charity events and fundraising, environmental issues, social relationships amongst boarders (big/little sister/brother or buddy programmes) etc.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

END/START OF TERM TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS The safe arrival and departure of our boarders is of utmost importance to us.

Therefore we take great care to arrange the transport to and from the airport and train station at the beginning and end of term.

Prior to the end of term, parents will be asked to complete our holiday form to provide detailed information about their child’s departure and return travel arrangements. The boarding staff must be informed about any changes to the travel arrangements (flight changes or delays, etc.).

Transport in school vehicles to and from the train station and Geneva and Zurich airports, before and after the summer, winter and Easter holidays, is included in the school fees as long as the departure and arrival days are respected.

It is also possible to travel by taxi and train to the airport; the boarding house can assist with booking these where needed.

The cost of these is charged to the parents/students. There are direct trains to Geneva airport from Montreux and Vevey.

IMPORTANT: Please do not plan to arrive at or depart from school between the hours of 11.30pm and 5.00am.

LUGGAGE STORE Suitcases are stored in our luggage room throughout the school year ready for boarders to take them when needed for holidays.

Small suitcases can be kept in bedrooms on top of the wardrobes.

Over the long summer holidays, boarders can leave some of their belongings in individual trunks that are lockable and clearly labelled.

Each boarder is allowed one trunk.

Graduate students must empty their trunks entirely before Graduation Day and leaving the school.

Anything left behind will be donated to charity.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED WITHIN BOARDING Co-curricular activities are learning experiences that complement what students learn in the classroom and form an integral element of boarding life.

Co-curricular activities help to develop various facets of the students’ personality development. For an all-round development of a child, there is a need of emotional, physical, spiritual and moral development that is complemented and supplemented by enrichment activities.

Clubs and activities are offered by the school most weekdays, between 4.00pm and 6.00pm. Between one and three clubs and activities per week are compulsory for boarders, depending on their year group. In addition, boarders-only activities are held throughout the afternoons and evenings during the week.

Activities are offered to boarders on both Saturdays and Sundays at weekends. These range from on-site activities such as fitness club, football matches and service activities, to off-site activities such as skiing during the winter, mountain or water based activities during the autumn and summer terms, and shopping trips, cultural excursions and various workshops. Some weekend activities are compulsory for Years 6 to 10, and we strongly encourage the older students to take up these opportunities too.

We are committed to helping students develop their character and skills during their time with us at St. George’s, and feel it is important that they challenge themselves in order to grow as a person.

Most of the activities and clubs are covered by school fees, but occasionally there will be a special extra curricular activity or trip that is no.

In these circumstances, we will obtain prior consent from parents to add the charge to the school bill.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE BOARDING We encourage students to pursue existing hobbies, and while many varied clubs and activities are offered at St. George’s, some activities are provided through local clubs.

The boarding staff are here to help set these up.

Such activities may for example include: Horse riding, sailing, rowing, fencing, football on a more intensive level.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

Make sure you bring a multiple extension lead for your room – remember adapters for Swiss plugs!

Try as many new things as you can and make as many new friends as possible!

Never forget to take your camera with you to capture the amazing scenery around the school!

PS Don’t forget your winter coat!

Don’t be shy to ask returning students for help, especially those from your own country.

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Join as many after school sports clubs and activities as you can!

You are lucky because you get amazing second parents here!

If you preferred cosmetics from you own country make sure you bring enough to last you ‘til the holidays.

The warmest place in the school is the Boarding Office!!

Bring enough of your own clothes so that you have them for sorties and free time (but not too many as space in the room is limited!)

The sushi at Vevey Gare is 10% cheaper if you show your student card – plus it tastes AMAZING! It is an essential for your sortie day!

Make friends amongst the day kids, it gives you the opportunity to stay away for the weekend occasionally and see more of your surroundings.

Make sure you have the Boarding phone number in your phone, in case you need assistance when you are out on sortie.

Keep smiling! It helps in order to make friends!

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

3 3 2

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5

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6 7

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Main building

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Tennis courts

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Classrooms

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Multi- use courts

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Boarding house

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Adventure playground (Juniors)

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The Chalet

10 Adventure playground (Seniors)

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Sports hall

11 Astroturf football pitch

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Theatre

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

MONTREUX BOUNDS MAP The area within the red line is where you are allowed to go during your sortie times.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

VEVEY BOUNDS MAP The area within the red line is where you are allowed to go during your sortie times.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

A QUICK A TO Z GUIDE FOR BOARDERS ACTIVITIES

BICYCLES

The weekends are for fun and relaxation! Fun and varied activities are arranged every weekend for boarders to take part in. They are an excellent way to make friends, explore Switzerland’s beautiful countryside, visit cities, museums and art galleries, and discover new interests. We are always developing our weekend programme and welcome suggestions from boarders for new ideas!

Students may keep and use a bicycle at school should they wish.

Bicycles should be stored in the racks provided when not in use.

Lights must be fitted and in working order before bicycles are taken out. Helmets must be worn when riding, and the rider should demonstrate competent, safe, and responsible use of their bike. Boarders may use school bicycles - please discuss with boarding staff first.

ALCOHOL

BREAKAGES

St. George’s International School is an alcohol free site. Students are not permitted to be in possession or consume alcohol on or offsite during term time. If a student is found in possession of alcohol, the school reserves the right to suspend or exclude the student.

The school reserves the right to conduct random alcohol tests.

Boarders are responsible for any damage in their rooms and should notify staff so that repairs can be carried out. Any damage in the boarding house will be paid for by those responsible for it.

Any unpaid costs will be taken from the security deposit when the student leaves the school.

BEDROOMS

CANDLES

Students are allowed into each other’s bedrooms provided a person from that room is present. If asked to leave by a resident of that room, the visitor must do so and may not return without permission. Mixed gender visits are never allowed. Students are not allowed into each other’s bedrooms after lights out.

Candles, matches and lighters are strictly prohibited in boarding houses. Students may use battery- operated candles and fairy lights only.

CARS

Boarders are expected to keep their bedrooms neat and tidy.

Room tidiness scores will be awarded each day, with the highest scores rewarded.

Boarders may not have cars at school, nor can they travel in students cars unless permissions are in place from both the driver’s parent/guardian and the passenger’s parent/ guardian.

BEDTIMES Years 7 to 9: electronics handed in at 9.15pm, lights out by 9.30pm.

CCTV

Years 10 to 11: electronics handed in at 9.45pm, lights out by 10.00pm.

CCTV cameras are used in the school areas to ensure the safety of our students.

Years 12 to 13: in own bedroom by 10.30pm.

CLUBS

Bedtimes on Friday and Saturday are 30 minutes later for all year groups, except when an early morning activity (e.g. skiing) occurs the following day.

St. George's International School

There are a wide variety of after school clubs available to boarders and we encourage them to take part in as many as possible.! It is also possible to join clubs off-site such as fencing, horse riding, and rowing.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

CHECK-INS

FOOD

There are regular check-ins for boarders and these usually happen either in the boarding house or in the canteen.

Small snacks may be kept and eaten in the boarders’ common room, but for hygiene reasons, no food is allowed to be kept in bedrooms.

COMPLAINTS

Students may order takeaways in special circumstances with permission from boarding staff. Facilities are available in the common room for students to prepare hot drinks and snacks; these are to be used responsibly; younger years will require supervision from boarding staff.

If students wish to make a complaint, they should speak to a member of the boarding staff. If parents wish to make a complaint about a boarding issue, they may contact the boarding team (boarding@stgeorges.ch).

GUESTS

DRUGS

All parents and guests must sign-in and out of the school site at reception and wear a visitor’s badge while in school. Parents and guests may only visit the common areas of the boarding house and should always be accompanied by a member of the boarding staff for safeguarding reasons.

Possession of, or involvement in the distribution of drugs, narcotics and any other banned substances is strictly forbidden and will lead to expulsion without the right to appeal. St. George’s International School reserves the right to conduct random testing for drugs based on the suspicion that there has been misuse of these, or any, banned substances.

LIBRARY

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

Boarders have access to the Library outside of school hours with permission from boarding staff. There are also lots of areas both within the boarding house and around school that students can use to study or relax.

For reasons of fire safety, boarders are not allowed electrical appliances such as kettles, rice cookers, etc. in their bedrooms.

ENGLISH SPEAKING ZONES

MEALS

All staff and students must speak English in the common areas of the boarding house, except in specific circumstances.

This request aims to promote excellent spoken English and to ensure the inclusion of all boarders within the social environment.

However, staff also respect that every boarder has the right to express themselves using their mother tongue. For individual conversations that need to happen in a student’s mother tongue, the boarding staff speak English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Chinese.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the canteen and all boarders are expected to attend. During the weekend boarders have the opportunity to go out for meals. This must be planned in advanced so that the chef can be informed in good time if a boarder is is not eating at school.

Students should dress respectfully for meals, which includes no head-wear (other than for religious reasons) and suitable clothing and footwear.

Students who wish to fast can make arrangements with boarding staff.

FIRE In the event of a fire alarm, students should proceed in silence to the football field and line up in year groups or, after school hours, in boarding floor groups. Fire evacuations practices will take place every term. During evacuations, students must line up in silence ready to respond to instructions immediately.

St. George's International School

A student’s dietary needs or allergies should be discussed with boarding staff.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

MEDICAL

PASSPORTS, IDENTITY CARDS AND PERMITS

We have a school nurse during school hours; and boarding staff can provide medical care after school hours. When needed, appointments to see a doctor dentist can be made. A school doctor comes once a week when required.

All passports, identity cards and permits must be handed in to the boarding office when returning from a holiday or trip. They must be signed in and out, and will be stored in a locked cabinet.

Students are not allowed to keep medication (including herbal medication) in their bedrooms. All personal medication must be kept in the nurse’s office and will be administered by the nurse or boarding staff as necessary. Exceptions to this are only with the nurse’s consent.

SOCIAL AND PRIVATE AREAS All areas of the boarding house must be treated with respect and left exactly as found. Boarders must tidy up after themselves and be mindful of other boarders around them. They should be respectful of other people’s belongings and are asked not to touch anything that does not belong to them or is not for general use. Boarders may not enter another person’s bedroom without their permission.

It is essential that the parents give their child’s medical history to the nurse at the beginning of term and that any changes are shared with the nurse.

SORTIE (TOWN LEAVE)

MOBILES PHONES, WI-FI AND ACCESSING SCHOOL EMAIL ON PERSONAL DEVICES

The school is situated on a bus route between Montreux and Vevey. Both towns offer excellent shopping, restaurants and cafes.

Students can leave campus, depending on year group, on one or more afternoons per week as well as the weekend.

The school day is long and busy, and a good night’s sleep is very important to ensure that each boarder is well rested and ready for the day ahead. For this reason, mobile phones and electronics are handed in overnight. Years 6 to 9 hands them in to boarding staff at 9.15pm, and Years 10 to 11 at 9.45pm. Years 12 to 13 do not need to hand their phones in at night. However, if students fail to be on time for school commitments (particularly in the morning), they may be asked to hand in their devices.

Students must be in pairs, at a minimum.

Those who are aged 18 and have their parents’ permission, may take sortie alone.

SMOKING POLICY

The school has a mobile- free policy during school hours, so boarders must leave their phones in the boarding house from 8.10am until 3.50pm.

St George’s International School is a non-smoking school.

It is illegal to smoke in any of the school buildings, including the boarding house and on campus. Possession of, or involvement in the distribution of, tobacco, smoking related materials or vaping materials or associated paraphernalia is strictly forbidden.

Each student is given a school email address when they join St George’s, along with access to the student WIFI network.

St George’s has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy and students from Year 8 onwards are required to bring their own laptops.

STUDY LEAVE IGCSE and IB students have study leave during the third term.

The exact dates when study leaves starts varies each year.

For these students there are no classes, although they may use class time to find teachers and get support. Students on study leave do not no longer need to wear uniform but they do need to wear uniform for their exams. Year 13 students may leave once their exams finish and return for graduation.

MUSIC Music can be played in bedrooms or in social areas at a respectable volume. Please be mindful of any other boarders around you that may be resting or studying. Music must not be played after bedtime so that everyone can get a good rest.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

TELEVISIONS Students may not have TVs or games consoles in their rooms.

TVs and consoles are provided in common areas.

VALUABLES Passports, identity cards, permits, large sums of money, etc. must be handed in to the boarding office. Students have safes in their rooms but should not keep large quantities of cash (more than 200CHF) in them.

VISITORS Visiting parents and guardians must sign in at the main school reception and wear a visitor’s badge for the duration of their stay.

Visitors are not allowed in common areas or student bedrooms without a member of boarding staff. All visitors badges must be returned when leaving the site. If visitors arrive after school office hours, they must report to the boarding office to get a visitor’s badge.

WEEKEND LEAVE Boarders may leave site for the weekend if a parent or guardian has submitted a weekend leave form to boarding@stgeorges.ch.

This form must include details of when the student is are leaving and returning, where they will be staying, and who they will be staying with. Once authorised by the boarding staff the student is free to leave for the weekend.

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST When students arrive in the boarding house they will be provided with a personal laundry number. Every item of clothing they bring should be marked with this number to ensure it is returned to them after it has been washed. We can provide students with a laundry pen to ensure they can mark all of their items are marked.

Laundry is taken on a Monday and returned on a Thursday, therefore students need to ensure they have enough casual clothes and uniform items to last you from one laundry day to the next.

Below and on the following page is a list of suggested items students may need for their time at St George’s.

PERSONAL CLOTHING

ACCESSORIES

Underwear (enough for 6 days) 6 pairs of socks

1 pair of gloves

2 pyjamas

1 woolly hat for winter

2-3 pairs of trousers 6 t-shirts

1 cap/hat (to protect from the sun)

2-3 jumpers/sweatshirts

Sunglasses

6 long sleeve t-shirts or similar

1 1lt water bottle

1-2 smart outfits (for events such as Christmas dinner etc)

1 hair drier

Swimming costume/trunks and towel

PERSONAL ITEMS

1 waterproof jacket

Washbag and toiletries personal medication (if applicable) – this is handed to the boarding staff on arrival

1 warm coat (you will also have a St George’s ski jacket)

Photos (optional)

2 sets of comfortable clothes such as jogging trousers/ leggings and sweatshirt/hoodie

Small decorative items for their room

ELECTRONIC ITEMS

3 pairs of sports leggings/trousers/shorts 4 sports t-shirts/tops

Mobile phone/iPad (optional)

4 pairs of sports socks

Laptop

Traditional costume from their home country (optional)

Camera (optional)

SHOES

WINTER EQUIPMENT Please bring this after the winter holidays as it will be needed for January

1 pair of school shoes (black, no high heels, no trainers) 1 pair of slippers

1 pair of skis, poles and boots if already owned.

If not, we will organise rental equipment).

1 pair of casual shoes for the autumn and 1 pair for the summer 2 pairs of trainers (one for P.E. and one for casual wear)

1 ski goggles

1 pair of hiking shoes 1 pair of winter boots

1 ski helmet

1 pair of flip flops/sandals

2 pairs of ski gloves 1 ski back brace 2 sets of thermal ski underwear 1 fleece 3 pair of ski pants 3 pairs of ski socks 1 pair of sunglasses fit for skiing (unless the student is happy to ski with goggles only).

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

SCHOOL UNIFORM Students will receive their school uniform from the uniform shop when they first arrive. Please note navy blue knee socks and tights for Years 7 to 11, and beige trousers for Years 12 to 13 are not sold in the uniform shop and must be brought from home.

Years 7 to 11 school uniform 5 skirts/pairs of trousers 1 blazer and 1 school jumper 7 shirts/blouses 1 tie navy blue knee socks and tights (10 pairs) (please note, these are not sold in the uniform shop) Minimum of 2 pairs of sports shorts/jogging trousers/ leggings/skorts (long and short items, i.e. one pair of leggings plus skorts or 1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of jogging trousers) 5 sports t-shirts (at least one must be a house t-shirt) 1 ski jacket Years 12 to 13 school uniform 7 blue polo shirts 2 school jumpers or Year 12/13 hoodies 2 or 3 pairs of beige trousers (please note, these are not sold in the school uniform shop) Minimum of 2 pairs of sports shorts/trousers/leggings/skorts (long and short items, i.e. one pair of leggings plus skorts or 1 pair of shorts and 1 pair of jogging trousers) 5 sports t-shirts (at least one must be a house t-shirt) 1 ski jacket

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

And last, but not least, a message to all our boarders in order to get the most out of boarding at St. George’s International School.

Come with a positive attitude and lots of enthusiasm.

Try everything at least once and give it your best.

Make use of everything that’s on offer, in school and outside of school.

Ask for help. Help others around you. Work hard.

Make as many friends as you can.

ENJOY! We look forward to welcoming you and making St. George’s boarding your second home. We understand that it is not easy to leave family and home but you can be assured of a safe, fun and caring environment here.

The St. George’s Boarding Team

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Boarding Information 2022-2023

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School Handbook 2022-2023