at
2023
Welcome Dear Girls,
We are very pleased that you are joining Prior’s Field’s School House and look forward to welcoming you to our House and Boarding family. School House accommodates girls from First Form to Fourth Form in a picturesque Boarding facility that is directly above the main School. This booklet has been put together with some of the questions you may have. Hopefully it will answer them and maybe give you more information about things you had not even thought about yet. We hope that this will guide you through some uncertainties and help form the framework from which you will gain maximum enjoyment from your stay in Boarding. Happy reading and see you very soon.
Mr and Mrs van Niekerk Heads of School House Boarding.
How to contact the School House:
The van Niekerk’s email
The School House email
gvanniekerk@priorsfieldSchool.com
Schoolhouse@priorsfieldSchool.com
School House Phone
School House Mobile
01483 813203
07801 571945
Topics this booklet will cover: * Your Boarding staff. * What we stand for. * What I need to bring with me? * Where will I sleep, and will I be alone? * How does the day work? * What electronic items can I bring? * Can I have snacks? * How do I contact home? * How do my parents and guardians contact me? * What do I do if I need to leave Boarding for an appointment overnight? * What is the food like? * What do I do after School and at weekends? * What happens if I am ill? * Who will help me in the first few weeks at School? * When will I do my homework and how much will be set? * What happens at the end of term, half term and the non-compulsory exeat? * What do I do with my washing? * If I have an allergy or take regular medication, what do I do with it? * What happens if the fire alarm goes off? * Who can I talk to if I have a problem? * Rewards and Awards * Behaviour
Your Boarding Staff:
There are quite a few members of staff who you will meet in the House during the week.
The Boarding Team:
Mrs Wilcock is
the Deputy Head and oversees Boarding for the School and also does occasional Boarding duties.
We are Mr and Mrs
van Niekerk, Head of
School House. We live in the centre of the Boarding House with our 5-year-old son Reyn and 2-year-old daughter Eulalie.
Miss Bennett is the
Assistant Housemistress and lives in the House. She will help make sure you settle in well and will be there to support you in your daily adventures here at School.
The Boarding Tutors:
Our Boarding Tutors are teachers here at School and are in the House at various times during the week and some weekends
Miss Fernandes
Mrs Alisha
Miss Michalopoulou
Miss Watson
Boarding Care Team:
We also have GAP assistants who are in the House every day of the week and who spend time planning activities, helping with prep and just chatting with everyone. All members of staff are there to chat to, ask questions, help with prep and help keep you organised and on track. We are all very good at listening to problems, worries and concerns and if one person cannot help you then Mr and Mrs van Niekerk or Miss Bennett will be able to. Next door to the Boarding House is the Medical Centre, we have two School Nurses who can be seen from after breakfast until prep time in the evening.
What we stand for:
‘Our School, Our Home’
In Boarding we strive to make you feel at home, build relationships, develop your ambitions and give you a space to find refuge when things are not going quite so well. We want you to feel completely at home, as you will be spending a lot of time here with us. You can shout and scream, cry and ask for hugs as well as laugh and joke.
What do I need to bring with me? You will have been sent a full uniform list and all of these items will need to be with you. You will also need: -
Bed sheets (2), pillow covers (2 sets), duvet and pillows and any blankets that you love. Pyjamas Underwear (and a netted bag to put these items in for washing) Please ensure that all clothing is labelled…the netted bag too.
Dressing gown and slippers Home clothes for after School Towels (2) for showering Home clothes coat / jacket Favourite toy Pictures of your family and things to decorate your bedroom noticeboard Wash items School bag and bag for shopping Padlocks for locking your valuables away in your bedroom and School Tuck box for snacks Any spices or foods from home (but NO nuts) Books to read Stationery for School Laptop/iPad for the School’s BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) system
Chargers for electronics
Where will I sleep, and will I be alone? Depending on the year group you are in we have a number of different room arrangements.
If you are in First or Second Form you will be sharing a room with others. If you are going into the Third or Fourth Form, then you will be lucky enough to have a bedroom to yourself. This makes life a little quieter and makes studying easier too. At the end of EVERY term, we review bedrooms and have a ‘room change’ so that you have the opportunity to get to know others in the House and de-clutter.
How does my day work? 7.00am Wake up
7.20am Breakfast in the dining room Pre 8.10am Clean your teeth, tidy your bedroom and make sure you have everything for the day ahead 8.10am Leave for School via the Boarding office 8.15am Registration and the School day starts…… 4.10pm School finishes and you come and sign back into the House. 4.30pm-5.30pm Clubs, activities and matches. 5.30pm – 6.15pm Prep starts. First to Third Form in a supervised classroom. Fourth Form study in their rooms. EVERYONE hands in phones for the duration of prep. 6.15pm Supper - First to Third Form 6.30pm Supper - Fourth - Sixth Form. 7.00pm – 8.00pm Prep for Fourth Form. THIS IS A COMPULSORY PREP/STUDY SESSION. Once again phones are handed in for this second prep. 7.30pm Activities for the First Form – but anyone not in prep can join. 8.30pm Bedtime routine starts, handing in of phones and electronic devices then bed.
Lights out First Form 9.00pm
Second Form 9.30pm
Third Form 9.45pm
Fourth Form 10.00pm
A more detailed routine is published in the House and there are members of staff on hand to help with reminders.
What electronic devices can I bring?
Many of you might have a selection of devices, but we recommend that you only bring your phone with you and also the device that you will need at School. This is either a laptop or an iPad. We would love to see you make friends and socialise and not spend hours on different devices. As you will have access to a computer room and will be doing homework in there, you will be using School computers for all your network needs. (Of course, Kindles with lots of amazing books on them will always be welcome) If Boarding staff feel that your electronics are preventing you from following Boarding routines or taking part in Boarding life, staff can remove the electronics for a limited time to help you get settled. Don’t forget to bring chargers as we don’t carry spares in Boarding. If you are in First to Fourth Form these items are handed in at night to make sure you sleep well. We do talk to you as well about sensible use of these. Fourth Form are allowed to keep them overnight, but we strongly recommend that you also hand them in so that you are assured a good and thorough night’s rest. If your parents want you to hand in your electronics, we will of course comply with their wishes. Please note that we expect you to put down your electronics AT LEAST 15 minutes before getting ready for bed so that you can spend that time reading quietly in your rooms. You can access social media or communication services on your own devices by using the School network only. Access to these sites and services, however, are strictly limited to the age restriction as set out by the provider (E.g. – Snapchat only allows users over the age of 13 to join, WhatsApp the limit is 16, etc). We will be asking for your mobile number upon arrival so that staff can communicate important notices and messages to you in a secure manner. Electronic use is also bound by the School’s ‘Pupil acceptable use of ICT code’ which is available in the Behaviour Policy on the School website and visible in the Boarding House.The School network has robust measures in place to allow appropriate internet access, while also keeping you as safe as we can from certain sites.You should not use 3/4/5G whilst at School. Mobile phones may not be taken into School during School time and should be locked away safely while you are attending lessons. Yes, you can bring a hairdryer and /or straighteners, but you must remember to turn them off and unplug them after use. Plugs will be PAT tested (this is a test carried out by an Electrician) to make sure they are safe for you to use.
Can I have snacks?
Yes, you can bring in any snacks from home as long as you keep them in a named plastic box in your room. It will not be accessible to others. However, you cannot bring anything containing nuts. There are several students and staff who are severely allergic to nuts, so please leave them at home. If your snack needs to be kept cool, you need to write your name on it and then store it in the fridge in the pantry. Remember that out-of-date food or any food that is deemed to be unsafe will be removed.
How do I contact home?
If you have your own mobile phone, you can call home any time after School. Phones are handed in at night if you are in First to Fourth Form and they are charged for you in our locked charging trolley. After you have finished your after School activity, prep and evening activity in House, your time is yours. You can also call straight after School if you don’t have an activity, or before prep. You can collect your phone before breakfast if you want to or after. Calling home is easy. If you don’t have a mobile then we have payphones in the Boarding House that can be used.
How can my parents/guardians contact me?
During the School day, your phone is supposed to be locked away safely. It is therefore best to keep it charging in the Boarding House electronic cabinet as you will not need it during School time. So after School, when you are free, you can call, text, contact parents, Educational Guardians, family and friends by using your phones and any apps that are age-appropriate. Please also remember that you should be using the School’s Wifi network for electronic communication and not your phone’s 3/4/5G network. Please also remember that during prep time and just before getting ready for bed, you should not be contacting home as it would be interfering with important routines in the House. Timings for handing in phones at night are detailed in this booklet. You will also be receiving an individual School email address, thus providing an additional means by which you can communicate with loved ones.You can also receive post and packages and these will be brought up to Boarding when they are delivered at School. If anyone is struggling to get hold of you or you are having trouble connecting to loved ones, please let a member of staff know so that we can help you communicate with home. Of course, we will always allow you to use the Boarding House phone if you are experiencing technological issues with your phone.
What do I do if I need to leave Boarding for an appointment overnight?
If you are planning on staying out of Boarding for an appointment, family occasion or overnight please ensure we know about it. It is imperative that your parents/Educational Guardians email us at schoolhouse@priorsfieldschool.com with the time of collection and return, who will be collecting you and where you will be staying. In the event that you will be spending the night with a friend from School, we will also need an email from the friend’s parents so that we know that there will be a parent present during your stay. We will also expect the same if we receive an invite for you to attend any event out of School.
What happens if I am ill?
We have a great nursing team that are on duty all day during the School day, so if you are feeling ill, upset or just out of sorts you can pop up and see them at break and lunch time. During the evenings, both the Assistant Housemistress and the Van Niekerks are on call to deal with any illnesses or ailments. All you have to do is call. (there is a specific phone at access points around the Boarding House that connect automatically to the School duty phone) When you start Boarding we will show you how to call us during the night if you are unwell so we can help. We live in the Boarding House so even if the phone does not work you can always bang on our door and we will come to your aid.
What is the food like?
We have the most amazing catering team that work with us to give us all the best food they can. Every day is different, and the menu changes every week. We have cooked meats, cold meats, vegetarian and vegan options as well as gluten free and dairy free. Fruit coming out of your ears and fresh homemade breads and yoghurt is available every day. At weekends we have a lovely relaxed Saturday breakfast and a lie in on Sunday with a great brunch, as well as Sunday roasts and themed suppers.
What do I do after School and at weekends?
After School there are many activities you can sign up for ranging from knitting club to rocket making, guitar building and chess club. At the weekends we spend time together, watching films, playing in the sports hall or lawns, dog walking in the woods as well as the planned activities. Below are some of the adventures we have got up to in a term. Just remember that these are just examples of some of the activities we have done in the past. These activities vary and change due to the calendar and are reviewed and amended every term.
Walk to Godalming
Guildford Shopping Cinema
Wild Wood Tree Top Climbing
West Wittering Beach
Hever Castle Cultural
Lazer Quest
Who will help me in the first few weeks at School?
When you arrive, you will have been introduced to your PF Peer and by the time you are here you will also have a Boarding Buddy. Both of these girls are either in School or the House. They will be there for you to chat to, you can ask them silly questions and they will help and guide you so that you can get to know the School and Boarding.You will also have your Form Tutor, staff in the Boarding House, our great team of GAP students from overseas, and all the staff in School who will answer any question, direct you to the right room and show you where to go for breakfast lunch and supper. The Wholehearted Listening poster, on the inside back cover, shows you the different people you can talk to in School and those who are not in School, but linked to us, who also help girls at PF. Take a look so you are ready for the new term.
When will I do my homework and how much will be set?
Homework or prep is set by Academic staff according to your year group. If you are First to Third Form it is set on a timetable so that you do not get overwhelmed with the number of subjects you are studying. If you are in the Fourth Form then the timetable is not set, and staff will set it according to what you all need. All year groups however will have it set on ‘SHOW MY HOMEWORK’ - this is a great app that you can access either on your smart phone, or on the School network. It tells you which subject has set homework and when it is due in, it also tells you what you need to do. So, there is no chance of forgetting what you need to do.
What happens at the end of term, half term and exeat?
At the end of each term, and at October half term, you will pack up and be ready to see your Educational Guardians or your parents. Your rooms need to be completely vacated then so that other people can use the Boarding Houses during the holiday period. This will also be a great time for you to change rooms and get to know other girls. If you are a Full Boarder, you can leave your belongings here in a safe locked storeroom. However, if you are a Weekly or Half-Weekly boarder then you will have to take everything home as we do not have enough storage cupboards to keep your things safe. For our other half term breaks everything is left here ready for you to return after your long weekend or short break. Your rooms need to be tidy, though, and flat surfaces need to be cleared so that the cleaners can do a good clean. We are very interested in what you get up to during your times away from School. So, if you stayed with a Educational Guardian and/or host family, we will be giving you a questionnaire to complete once you have returned just to make sure that you enjoyed your stay there.
What do I do with my washing? (Full and Weekly Boarders only)
We have our own laundry and our Housekeeping team will wash and iron all your clothing.You are expected to put your washing into laundry, named and in net bags, especially for underwear, so that it can all be kept together and placed, ready on your shelf for you to collect. Bedsheets and towels are also washed in-house and we will expect them to go through the wash at least once a week. Make sure everything is named so no one else takes them by mistake. Half-Weekly boarders must take all their washing home please.
If I have an allergy or take regular medication, what do I do with it? SELF MEDICATION and the KEEPING OF MEDICATION IN ROOMS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
Before you arrive, your parents or Educational Guardians will have already completed a medical Form for us. This information will make us aware of any health issues you might be experiencing and will guide us to making sure you have a happy and healthy stay here in Boarding. However, if you have any vitamins or medications that you take our nursing team will need to see them and they will be placed in the medical cupboard in the Boarding office. Staff will ensure that you take these regularly and at the correct times, as prescribed by medical professionals. We have paracetamol and ibuprofen in the Boarding office for headaches, aches and pains, so you should not bring those. If you need them, we can make sure you have the correct amount.
What happens if the fire alarm goes off?
DO NOT PANIC! As soon as you are here and settled, we will walk through the fire exit route with you and explain our lockdown procedure. We will do a number of practices so that you are happy with the procedures and know the route to the safe meeting point on the School field at any time of day.
Rewards and Awards
In School and in Boarding, we love giving out awards and love celebrating your successes. There are School specific awards that will be covered by teachers at School and shared with us, but then we also give Boarding specific awards too. On a weekly basis we award a multitude of certificates with a choice of snack for anything significant, funny, outrageous, extraordinary, courageous or basically anything you have done that stands out. We also offer ‘Boarder of the Week’, which is a certificate up for grabs that spotlights you for anything you have improved on, something you have achieved after courageously trying or if you have been there for someone in need. Finally, we offer Colours - these are awarded at the end of each term to pupils who have shown great commitment and achievement in a particular area. We award Boarding colours to Boarders who embrace the essence of Boarding at Prior’s Field and show commitment and dedication to the community and our aims. Half or Full colours are awarded to Juniors (First - Third Form), Seniors (Fourth and Fifth) and Sixth Form. Being given Colours is a prestigious moment and girls are rightly proud to be awarded.
Behaviour
In Boarding, we strive to create an atmosphere where you feel as if the House is a ‘homeaway-from-home. This, however, is something that doesn’t happen automatically, and we all have to work hard to achieve this. Everyone in the House is therefore expected to behave in accordance with the School Behaviour Policy which is available on the School website and is visible in printed form and published within the Boarding House. There are also expectations specific to the House that are visible on noticeboards within Boarding that aim to ensure the smooth running of the House. This creates an environment that leads to an enjoyable, homely experience for all girls. Within the Boarding House, respect, kindness and tolerance are very much key to the Boarding ethos. There is a clear message about what is acceptable and what is not. Some reminders: 1. It is important to behave appropriately when using any form of technology or social media. 2. There is no place for any form of bullying in Boarding or the School. 3. You must dress appropriately and in accordance with School dress code before you leave for School in the mornings. 4. Bathrooms are strictly device-free zones. (So, no showering with music playing please). 5. Some of you will be sharing rooms, but all of you will have close neighbours, so be mindful and respectful when it comes to playing loud music. 6. Smoking, vaping, alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden. 7. Remember that you cannot have open flames, candles or incense burning – we don’t want the fire alarm to go off. 8. Respect timings for meals, prep, handing in phones and bedtimes. 9. Once everyone has said good night, you need to stay in your rooms and respect the fact that a good night’s sleep is important for proper functioning – of course you can go to the toilet or contact a member of staff if there is a problem or you are unwell. 10. We respect each other, so we don’t want any rudeness to our peers or the staff in any Form. 11. Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ will take you far. 12. Keep your rooms, areas, Boarding House and School tidy. 13. Make use of the sanitary bins in the bathrooms for personal hygiene – if you are uncertain what to do, please ask. 14. If you see food in the fridge that does not belong to you, please leave it where it is. 15. If you feel that someone else is behaving inappropriately, please let a member of staff know. This is NOT ‘telling,’ but ‘helping.’ Staff will always respect what you tell them and make the best decision to protect you and help others.
If you are uncertain how to behave under any circumstance, it is important for you to speak to a member of staff, a prefect, a senior or one of your peers to help you make the correct decision about behaviour. A successful Boarding House runs on trust and respect for all. We have to be able to trust each other even when we cannot see each other. We all have a responsibility to maintain the trust between House staff and each other. Discussions are held over any unacceptable behaviour and reasonable sanctions are put in place when they are necessary as we do not want the wrong behaviour to put your place in Boarding in jeopardy.
Confide Email confide@priorsfieldschool.com
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Au Your Head of Year
Childline call, email, text, chat 0800 11 11 www.childline.org.uk
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Miss Michalopoulou Assistant Head Pastoral and Wellbeing
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Independent Listener 01483 813444
Mrs Baines Wellbeing and Safeguarding Co-ordinator
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Your Form Tutor or Any Teacher
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Mrs Wilcock Deputy Head, DSL and Boarding
School Nurses Mrs Worsdell Miss Bethany Rowell
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Social Services Surrey 0300 123 1640 or 01483 517898
Mrs Kirnig Head
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Your Prefect
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School Counsellors Seana Tomlinson Bridget McConnell counsellors@priorsfieldschool.com
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Your Head of Boarding School House: Mr and Mrs van Niekerk Huxley House: Mrs Bennett
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Children’s Commissioner 0800 528 0731 // 020 7783 8330 www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
Mr Parsons Deputy Head Academic
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Mr Garvey Assistant Head Co-Curriculum, Charities, Enrichment and Partnerships
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x Mrs Westerman Head of Sixth Form
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Child Law Advice Line 08088 020 008 www.lawstuff.org.uk
Wholehearted Listening Who to contact if you have a problem