StatementofBoardingPrinciplesandPractice
ThisstatementshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeMissionStatementoftheSchool,whichembodiestheoverallaimsandobjectivesof RMSTheSchoolcatersforgirlsaged2–18andtheresidentialdepartmentmeetstheneedsofgirlsagedfrom8–18TheSchooltherefore hasEarlyYears,primary,secondaryandpost16phasesPupilsareadmittedaccordingtotheAdmissionsPolicyoftheSchoolThePreSchoolcatersforgirlsandboysaged2-4.
Full,weeklyandflexi-boardingatRMSofferopportunitiesforgirlsfromtheageofeighttodevelopsocialskillsandpersonal independencewithinacaringandsupportiveresidentialenvironment
RMSprovidesboarderswithavariedrangeofexperienceswithinastructuredframework,sothatgirlslearntobecomeresponsiblefor themselvesandtheirlearningBoardersareencouragedtodevelopgoodpatternsofself-studyandthisisbalancedbymanyopportunities forextracurricularactivity,tocaterfortheinterestsofdifferentgirlsofallages.
Outcomesforboarders
1
RMSaimstopromoteboarders’personaldevelopmentbytheirboardingexperienceandthisisapparentinqualitiessuchas confidence,self-reliance,integrityandtolerance
2RMSaimstoensureboardersenjoybeingpartoftheircommunityandmakeapositivecontributiontoit
3RMSaimstoensureboardershavepleasantandconstructiverelationshipswithoneanotherandwiththeboardingstaff. .
4RMSaimstosupportboardersacademicallytoenablethemtoreachtheirfullpotential
Qualityoftheboardingprovisionandcare
Boardersarewellcaredforandtheboardingprovisioniseffectiveinsupportingtheirindividualneedsandhelpingthemkeepsafe,fit andhealthy 1.
2
Boardersbenefitfromsuitablefacilitiesandopportunitiesforrecreationalanddevelopmentalactivitiesintheeveningandat weekends,includingsufficientself-directedtime
3Boardingaccommodationiscomfortable,secureandwell-maintained
4
Boardersareabletomaintainregularcontactwiththeirfamilies,andtheschoolcommunicateseffectivelywithparents,carersand guardians
Theeffectivenessofarrangementsforwelfareandsafeguarding
1
ArrangementsareeffectiveinensuringcompliancewiththeNationalMinimumStandardsforBoardingSchools,particularlyinmatters ofsafeguardingboarders’welfare,staffing,managementofbehaviourandpreventionofbullying
Theeffectivenessoftheleadershipandmanagementoftheboardingprovision
1
Boardingprioritiesareclearandhousesarewellrun,inlinewiththeaimsoftheSchool,andwithacommitmenttoself-evaluationand improvement
OrganisationofBoarding
Girlsagedbetween8-14liveinHarrisHouse,girlsfrom14-16liveinZetlandHouseandSixthFormboardersareinConnaughtHouse BoardersaregivengreaterfreedomastheyreachYears10&11andSixthForm.Thisgradualacknowledgementofapproaching adulthoodenablesgirlstolearnhowtobalancethedifferentaspectsoflifeSixthFormboarderstakegreaterresponsibilityfor themselves,thuspreparingforlifeatuniversityZetlandandConnaughtHousesarestaffedbyaHousemistress,AssistantHousemistress, HouseTutorandtwoGAPAssistantsHarrisHouseisstaffedbyaHousemistress,HouseParent,HouseTutorandthreeGAPassistants
Housestaffplayacentralroleinthelivesofboardersandstaffareencouragedtotreadacarefullinebetweenfirmnessand approachabilityBoardersshouldbe“athome”intheirhouse,sothattheyfeelsecureandvaluedRMSiscommittedtotheongoing professionaldevelopmentofallstaffsothatboardingstaffarewelltrainedandsupportedtofulfiltheirroleseffectively.Thereisan inductionpolicyforboardingstaffandappraisalproceduresAllHousemistressesmeetweeklywiththeDirectorofBoardingTheDirector ofBoardingmeetsweeklywiththeDeputyHeadPastoralReadycommunicationbetweenboardingstaff,teachingstaff,medicalstaffand theschoolcounsellorwhereappropriateareessentialforthewellbeingofeachboarderThenamesandrelevantqualificationsofthestaff teamaretobefoundonthewebsiteTheHealthCentreisstaffedby2registerednursesOneschoolcounselloroffersappointments specificallyforboardersonenightaweekBoardershaveaccesstoasilentlistener
TheBoardingDepartmentcatersforapproximately100pupilsoneachnightoftheweek.Accommodationtakestheformofsingle,shared roomsandsmalldormitories
TheSchool’sDesignatedSafeguardingLeadistheDeputyHead,AlisonDaviesTheSchool’sDeputySafeguardingLeadsareAssistant Head,DesmondCox,HeadofSeniorSchool,RachelBailey,HeadofSixthForm,ClareFreeman,DirectorofBoarding,FionaJones,Deputy HeadofSixthForm,JennieSimmoniteandHeadofCadoganHouse,MelanieHorn.Thesestaffarealwayscontactableoutofhours.
TheSchooliscommittedtoaccommodatingpupilswithaphysicaldisabilitywherepossible.
HarrisistheboardinghousefortheyoungestboardersatRMS.Providingatrue homefromhomewhereeveryonefeelswelcome,nurturedandsupported.Itwill bemygreatprivilegeandresponsibilityfromSeptember2024,andoneIamtruly lookingforwardto.WhetheryouarejoiningusfromCadoganorSeniorSchool,asa fullboarder,flexi-boarder,orweeklyboarder,youareallverywelcome!
ThishandbookwillgiveyouaninsightintohowHarrisHouseworks,whothekey membersofstaffare,andwhatyoucanexpectfromboardingatRMS.Iamhappy toansweranyquestionsyoumaystillhaveafterreadingthis.
Ihavealmost25yearsteachingexperience,teachingpupilsfromYear5allthe wayuptoYear13.IhavealsospenttimeasaHousemistressandasaHouse Tutor,bothintheUKandoverseas.Forthoseofyoujoiningusfromoverseas,I knowwhatitisliketoliveinanunfamiliarcountry,havingbeenfortunateenough toteachinbothJapanandGermany.Itisbothfrighteningandexcitingatthesame time!
Together,wecanovercomeanyproblemsyoumightexperienceandensureyou loveboardingatRMS.Wewantyoutogetthemostoutofyourtimehere,and wouldurgeyoutotakeasmanyopportunitiesasyoucan.
MsRoughly,theHouseTutors,theGAPAssistantsandmyselfalllookforwardto meetingyouandgettingtoknowyou.
Bestwishes,
MsChristineDoherty
ActingHousemistresstoHarrisHouse cdoherty@rmsforgirls.com
HarrisHouseemailandphonenumber: harris@rmsforgirls.com 07841801089
MrsFionaJones
DirectorofBoarding/HousemistresstoConnaughtHouse IteachPEduringtermtime.IliveinConnaughtHouse withmyfamilyandthreedogs.IamondutyinHarris Houseonsomeweekends.
MissNaomiRoughley
HouseParenttoHarrisHouse nroughley@rmsforgirls.com
risHouseParentandIspecificallylookafter oolboarders.Iamresidentintheboarding anoftenbefoundhelpinggirlslearntoknit mpassionateaboutflowersandcreateallthe tsforschoolevents.
artinSevilla
Wecurrentlyhave8GAPAssistantswhoworkacrossallthreeboardinghouses.
BoardinginHarrisHouse
OuraiminHarrisHouseistocreateahomefrom-homeforallourboarders. Itisimportantthatthegirlsfeelcomfortableandsettledinhouseasthiswillbe theirterm-timehomeandtheywillbespendingalotoftheirtimehere!
Thehousestaffarehere,dayandnight,forwhatevertheyneed,beitashoulderto cryon,someonetoshoutandrantat,someonetolaughandjokewithorjustsit quietlywithus.Wedon’tmindandweareheretohelp.
BoardingPrefects
TheDeputyHeadPupilforboardingleadsateamofprefects.Thesestudentsarein Year13,liveinConnaughtandareallexperiencedboarders.Theirroleisto representboardingwithintheschoolandcultivateaspiritofmutualrespectwithin theentireboardingcommunity.
EachprefecthasresponsibilityforaparticularHousewhichtheyvisiteachweek. Prefectsholdregularmeetingsandarealwayspartofsocialevents.These studentsareincrediblygoodatlistening,advisingandhelpingwithhomesickness.
Aisha Deputy Heado
Sesili
Prefect
Kylla(right)
Devi
ImportantInformation
Whatdoyouneedtobringwithyou?
Washitems(includingsanitaryitemsifnecessary)
Pyjamas
Underwear
Dressinggownandslippers
Homeclothesforafterschool
Coat/Jacket
Towels(theseareprovidedbutbringyourownifyouprefer)
Bedsheets,pillowcaseandbottomsheets(theseareprovidedbutbringyour ownifyouprefer)
Cuddlytoy
Picturesoffamilyandthingstodecorateyournoticeboardwith
Bookstoreadbeforebed
Stationaryforschool
Netbagsforunderwearwashing
Uniform
Whennotinuniform,boarderswearcasualclothingsuchasjeansandat-shirtor jumper.MoreformalclothesarerequiredforChapel.TheHousemistresshasthe righttodecidewhetherornotanitemofclothingisacceptable.
Allclothesbroughtfromhomemustbeclearlymarkedwiththepupil’sname. Theschooluniformcanbepurchasedonlinefromtheschool’sofficialsupplier, Schoolblazer.Theuniformcanbedeliveredtoschoolbeforethestartofterm(the secondhanduniformshopinschoolkeepssamplesoftheuniformtotryonfor size).
AllHarrisHouseboardersshouldhaveatleastfourschoolshirtsasthisallowsfor acleanshirttobeworneverydayandotherstobewashedintheschoollaundry andreturned.Youshouldalsohavetwofullsetsofuniform,onetowearandonein thewash.
two
Electronics
Mobilephones,laptops,tabletsandiPodsareallowedintheHouse.InYears5-9 theseitemsarehandedinatnighttomakesurethatyousleepwell;wealsotalkto youaboutsensibleuseofsuchdevices.
DailyRoutine-MondaytoThursday
6:50am Wakeup
7:20am Gatherbeforebreakfast
7:30am Breakfast
8:15am LeaveforSchool
4:00pm ReturntotheHouse,changeandhaveasnack
5:50pm Gatherbeforesupper
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Prep AlexandraHouseopenformusicpractice ActivitiesavailableinHarrisHousecommonroom
8:20-9:45pm HandinALLelectronicdevices,quiettime,lightsout
AfternoonRoutine-Friday
4:00pm ReturntoHarrisHouseafterschool,freetime Weeklyboardersleaveforhome
6:00pm Dinner 6:40pm 9:00pm
DailyRoutine-Saturday
8:30am 9:00am 9:45am 12:30p 2:00pm 6:00pm 6:40pm 9:00-1
HandinALLelectrical devices,quiettime, lightsout
DailyRoutine-Sund
11:00am R
11:30am B
12:15pm F
6:00pm D
7:00-8:00pm Q
8:00-9:00pm B
9:00-9:45pm
HandinALLelectrical devices,quiettime, lightsout
BedtimeRoutine
SundaytoThursday
FridayandSaturday Time Electronics Lightsout Electronics Lightsout
HandinginElectronics
Weunderstandtheimportanceofgirlscontactinghomeandencouragethemtodo soasoftenaspossibletokeepincontactwiththeirfamily.However,webelieve thatinordertogetagoodnight’ssleepallboardersinHarrisHouseshouldhand theirphonesinatleasthalfanhourbeforebed.Thisensuresthatgirlsgetatleast halfanhourofnonscreentimebeforelightsoutwhichpromotesbettersleep.
Allelectronicitems(eglaptops,phones,tablets,hairdryers,phonechargersand electronictoothbrushes)arePATtestedeveryyear.Atthebeginningofthe Michaelmastermyouwillbeaskedtoputalloftheseitemsonyourbed,including extensioncables,tobetested.IfyoubuyanewelectricalitemyouMUSTtellyour Housemistress.
Thiswillthenbetakenandtested.Youwillnotbeallowedtouseituntilthetest hasbeencompleted Ifanyitemdoesnotpassthetestorisbrokenitwillbe removedfromyourroomandgiventoHousestaffwhereitwillbehelduntilyou returnhome.Theywilltellyousoyouareaware.
Weholdregular'Tech-freeevenings'onWednesdaysfrom8pm.
WakeUp
BoardersinHarrisHousearewokenupbythestaffsoyoudonothavetobringan alarmclock,butifyouwishtoyoucan.
BreakfastandDinner
Weeatallourmealsintheschooldiningroomwiththerestoftheboarding community.
Prep
Prep(homework)isdoneinthePrepRoominHarrisHouse.
Thisquiettimeissupervisedbyamemberofstaff,aGAPAssistantandSixthForm students,whocomeintogiveassistancetotheyoungerboarders.
Pupilsareencouragedtocompletetheirhomeworkonthedayitissetsothatthey donotfallbehind.
EveningActivities
Aftersupperthereareplentyofactivitiesforyoutotakepartin. Forexample:gamenights,tiedye,cupcakemaking,scrunchiemaking,decorating mugs,'JustDance'evening,pizzaevening,tabletennistournament,pompomand garlandmaking,paintingactivitiesanddifferentTaskmaster-stylechallenges. Youwillneverbebored!
ContactingHome
Ifyouhaveyourownmobilephoneorotherdeviceyoucancontacthomeanytime afterschool,exceptduringprep.Weencourageyoutocallhomeortextyour parentseverydaytokeepthemupdatedandletthemknowyouareok!
IfyouareinYears5-6,youcancollectyourdevicebeforebreakfast,ifyouhave time,tosendaquickgoodmorningtextbeforeweeattogether.IfyouareinYears 7-9youwillhavetowaittosendthattextuntilafterbreakfast Callinghomeis easy,howeverifyourdeviceisnotworkingthereisapayphoneintheHouse,or youcanusethephoneintheoffice.
AlexandraHouse(PerformingArtsCentre)
AlexHouseisopenSundaytoThursday evenings,7:00-8:00pmformusicpractice. Boarderswhoplayaninstrumentare encouragedtopracticeasmuchas possibleduringtermandthisis supervisedbyGAPAssistants.
SportsCentreandSwimmingPool
TrampoliningisavailableeveryThursday between7:00-8:00pm.Swimmingis availableeveryMondaybetween 7:00-8:00pm.
WealsohaveaccesstotheSportsCentre atcertaintimesduringthetermtoplaysportsandhavefuntogether.
Meals
Allourmealsareservedinthemainschooldiningroom.Wegouptothedining roomforbreakfastanddinnertogetherasaHouseafteraquickrollcall.
Ourcateringteamisamazingandweworkconstantlywiththemtoprovideyou withtheverybestfood.Eachdayhasadifferentmenuforbreakfastanddinnerand thesemenusarerotatedonathree-weekbasis.Therearetwohotoptions,a vegetarianoption,aveganoption,saladbar,aswellasgluten-freeanddairy-free, massesoffruit,dessertsandyoghurt.Wehavetraditionalroastlunchon Wednesdaysandthemedsuppersthroughouttheyear.
Weekendsareslightlymorerelaxed,onSaturdayswehavebreakfastat9amand onSundayswehaveevenmoreofalieinasbrunchisnotuntil11.30am. OnSundaysbreakfastoptionsarealsoavailableinHarris,suchascerealandtoast, incaseyougethungry.
HarrisHouseKitchen
Thekitcheniswell-stockedwithmilk,bread,cheese,spreadsandbuttersoyoucan makesnacks
AnyfoodthatyoumakeorpurchaseandbringintotheHouseshouldbeplacedin thefridgebutmustfollowthefollowingrules:
1.Allfoodmustbeinasealedbox,labelledandnamed.
2.Ifafooditemhasbeenopenformorethanthreedaysitwillbethrownaway.
3.Allfoodmustbeplacedontherightshelfaccordingtothefoodsafetyposter.
TuckShop
InHarrisweareluckytohaveourvery ownTuckShop.Asyoucanimagine thisisfulloflotsofchocolate,crisps, sweetsanddrinks.
Italsohasshowergel,shampooand conditioner,sanitaryproducts,andbasic stationeryifyouneedit.
WhocanItalktoifIhaveaproblem?
TherearemanymembersofstaffinHarriswhoarealwaysavailabletolistento anyconcernsorworriesyoumayhave.OurGAPAssistantsareextremelygoodat listeningandareveryeasytotalkto,aswellasMissDohertyandMissRoughley.
Youwillalsohaveyourboardingbuddyonhandtohelpyouout.TheSixthForm boardingprefectsaregreatlisteners,it’sjustliketalkingtoabigsister. Remember,beingaboardermeansyouarepartofonebigfamily-thereisalways someonetochattoaboutabsolutelyanything!
AfterSchoolandWeekendActivities
Therearelotsofactivityoptionsavailableafterschoolandyoucansignupfor theseonMySchoolPortal.WealsorundifferentactivitiesintheHouseafter dinner.
Weekendsarebusy,Saturdaysarefilledwithtripsoractivities.Sundaysoffera chancetorelaxandrechargethebatteriesandcompleteanyhomework.Weoften walkintoRickmansworthtogetanybitsthatyouneedfortheweek.
Previousweekendactivitieshaveincluded:
Iceskating
Mocktailmaking
Theatretrips
VisitingLondonmuseums
Cinematrips
Escaperooms
HamptonCourtPalace
WatchinganIceHockeyMatch
Pyjamamaking
Homework
Academicstaffwillsethomeworkaccordingtothetimetable.Thisallowsyouto easilykeepontopofallofyoursubjects.
PupilsinCadoganaresethomeworkonaweeklybasisandareencouragedto spreadtheworkoutovertheweek.Years7and8haveapproximately90minutes, andYear9haveapproximatelytwohours,ofhomeworkeachnight.
HomeworkissetviaGoogleClassroomandthisiseasilyaccessibleonalldevices. Workisalso‘handedin’onGoogleClassroomunlesstoldotherwise.
Whathappensifyouareunwell?
AtRMSwehaveafantasticnursingteam,ledbyNurseBurrows.Thenursingteam isondutythroughouttheschoolday,soifyouarefeelingill,upsetorjustnotquite rightthenyoucanpopupandseethem.
DuringtheeveningeitherMissDohertyorMissRoughleyareondutytohelpwith anyillnessorinjuriesyoumayhave-pleasedocomeandseeus.Whenyouarrive youwillbeshownwheretogoifyouareunwellinthenight Thereisalwaysa memberofstaffondutyandallyouhavetodoissimplyknockonourdoorandwe willbehappytohelpyou.
Medication
BeforeyouarriveatRMSyourparentsorguardianswillhavecompletedand returnedtheschoolmedicalformtotheMedicalCentre.Thiswillhaveallthe informationaboutyourrequirementsonit.Ifyoudoarrivewithanyvitaminsor medications(includingherbalortraditionalmedicines)ournursingteamwillneed toseethem.Thesewillbecollectedonyourfirstday,andreturnedassoonas NurseBurrowshasseenthem.
Thesewillthenbekepteitherinthemedicalcabinetintheofficeforstafftogive you,orlockedinyourroomforyoutotakesensibly.Tokeepmedicationinyour roomthenursewillassessyouandonlyaftertheyhaveagreedmayyoukeep medicationinyourroom.
Wehaveanarrayofmedicationinthemedicalcabinetincludingparacetamol, ibuprofen,piritonandarnicasoyoudonotneedtobringthesewithyou.
FireAlarms
Donotpanic!Onceyouhavesettledinonyourfirstday,wewillwalkyouthrough thefireexitroutes.Overthecourseofeachyearwedoanumberofpractices,day andnight,tomakesurethatyouknowthefireexitrouteandmeetingpointonThe Garth.
HolidayArrangements
Attheendofeachtermandhalftermyouwillreturnhomewithyourparentsor guardians.DuringtheChristmasandEasterholidaysyoumustmakesureyour dormisneatandtidy.
Duringthesummerholidays,theHouseispackedupfullyasotherpeoplewilluse it.ThismeansthatallofyourbelongingsmustbetakenhomeifyouliveintheUK. Ifyouareanoverseasboarderthenyoumayleavetwosuitcasesinthebag storageroom.Unfortunately,wedonothaveenoughspaceforallboardersto leavetheirbelongings.
