What do I need to know before I come to Marymount?

Where will I live?

There are three Boarding Halls: • Butler (Grade 11 Diploma students) • Gailhac (Middle and High School) • St Joseph’s (Grade 12 Diploma students) You will have a room in one of these halls based on your Grade; typically, you will share a room with one or two other boarding students. Single rooms are set aside for Grade 12 students who are studying the final year of the IB Diploma Programme. As a Marymount boarding student, you will have a ‘Boarding Buddy’ who will contact you before you arrive to answer any questions you might have. When at school, she will help you feel comfortable and supported in your new ‘home away from home.’ You will also be part of one of four school “House Teams”: St. Jean, St. Croix, St. Felix and St. Constance. Exciting competitions are organised throughout the year to generate team spirit. At the end of the year, the House with the highest points total wins the coveted House Cup. Boarding students can win pink slips for positive behaviour which also count towards House points. Your rooms contain a bed, wardrobe, desk, shelving unit and noticeboard for each student. You can personalise your noticeboard with pictures of your friends and family. You will have access to shared bathrooms, and showers. The Halls all have filtered drinking water machines.

Sharing a room

For some, Boarding at Marymount may be the first time sharing a room with another person. This can be an adjustment, and we are happy to provide some helpful tips for a happy and healthy room atmosphere.

Being a good roommate

• If you would like to listen to music, it is always kind to check with your roommate to make sure she does not mind the music. Otherwise, please use your headphones. • Please be considerate of your roommate and keep your room tidy. This also makes cleaning your room easier for the Housekeeping team. • Some girls like to use fairy lights and to decorate the whole room. Please ask before you stick anything to the wall, and make sure everyone is happy with the extra lights. • If you would like to watch a movie, choose one that interests you both and watch together. • It is completely normal that you and your roommate might feel a bit homesick now and then. Try to support each other and cheer each other up, but also allow each other some space.

Language

As an International School, Marymount has a wonderfully diverse population of students. When you are in the School, especially if there is a mix of nationalities present, we ask that you speak English. This may be difficult at first, as you might not feel confident with your English, but practice makes perfect! This will help you practise your language skills, and make sure everyone feels comfortable. Always remember to be polite and friendly to your roommates, other girls in your Hall, and members of Staff.

Laundry and Linen

If you’d like, Marymount will provide you with and wash the following items: • Sheets and pillowcases • Towels

The School will also wash and iron your school shirts. At the end of the year (or whenever necessary) the Head Housekeeper can arrange to have your blazer dry-cleaned at a small cost.

Dirty linen should be placed in laundry bins in the Halls. School shirts need to be legibly labelled with your name. Fresh linen is available in a basket in the Hall corridor. You may choose to make your room feel more like home by bringing your own duvet/comforter, pillows, bedlinen and towels, but you will be required to wash them yourself, at least once a week. Each Hall has designated laundry days and times. Please respect this communal space and use the bins provided for any rubbish. Make sure you remove every item from the machines and spin the barrel to check for any item that may be stuck or out of sight.

Remember

• Put your name on all your belongings. • We recommend that you purchase a laundry bag to store your unwashed linen during the week. • Boarding provides detergent but not fabric softener. The School prefers eco-friendly products. • We highly recommend you bring a couple of zip-up mesh laundry bags to prevent the loss of socks and underwear.

Electrical Items

You may bring: • an approved charging cable (note that most generic chargers often don’t pass PAT testing) •hairdryers •straighteners or curlers Please leave at home: • weighing scales • kettles • mini fridges • electric fans/heaters • any type of kitchen appliances Certain appliances are available in communal areas in the Boarding halls. Lounges also have TVs where you can relax, unwind, do homework or talk to your friends. • Gailhac Lounge Fridge, kettle, microwave and hob • Butler Lounge Fridge, microwave, kettle • St Joseph’s Kitchen (Grade 12) Fridge, microwave, kettle and hob • Room 20 is available during the evenings and weekends for all boarding students to relax and socialise.

You will need to bring your own adapter plugs if you have a different plug than the UK three pronged 220-240 volt plug. All appliances must be unplugged after use and stored in a suitable location i.e. not on your bed or on the floor, as they can become a fire risk. Each year the Maintenance Staff arranges Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) for any electrical items to make sure they are safe for use. Your Houseparent will tell you when they are coming. If you buy something new during term time, please tell us so that we can arrange for it to be tested.