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.
WelcometoZetlandHouse
DearParents,
AverywarmwelcometoeveryonejoiningusinZetlandHouse.
WhetheryouarenewtoRMS,returningforYear11,movingupfromHarrisor you’rejustbrandnewtoboarding,Zetlandisyournewhomeandnotjustan extensionoftheschool.
Wedohaverulesforyoursafetyandwellbeing,butyourcommonsenseand respectforeachotherisvitalincreatingahappyandhomelyenvironment.
Weasaboardingcommunityareheretosupportyouinanywaynecessary, thereforeifyouaregoingthroughdifficulttimes,speaktousandwewillbehereto listenandhelp
Feelfreetoas wedon’tknow
Yourssincerel
MrsRachelDo
Housemistress
rdobson@rms
ZetlandHouse zetland@rmsf 07540018340 Zetlandpostal (Yourname)
ZetlandHouse
RMSforGirls
Rickmanswort
Rickmanswort
Hertfordshire
WD34HF
UnitedKingdo
ZetlandHouseStaff,AssistantsandPrefects
Jones Boarding/HousemistresstoConnaughtHouse duringtermtime.IliveinConnaughtHouse milyandthreedogs,anddodutieshere,butyou aroundZetlandveryregularly.
King stanttoZetlandHouse
MissTheiviyaPuvanendran HouseTutor
GAPAssistants
MissGabrielleBodor HouseTutor
Wecurrentlyhave8GAPAssistantswhoworkacrossall threeboardinghouses.
BoardinginZetlandHouse
OuraiminZetlandHouseistocreateahomefrom-homeforallourboarders. Itisimportantthatthegirlsfeelcomfortableandsettledinhouseasthiswillbe theirterm-timehomeandtheywillbespendingalotoftheirtimehere!
Thehousestaffarehere,dayandnight,forwhatevertheyneed,beitashoulderto cryon,someonetoshoutandrantat,someonetolaughandjokewithorjustsit quietlywithus.Wedon’tmindandweareheretohelp.
BoardingPrefects
TheDeputyHeadGirlforboardingleadsateamofprefects.Thesestudentsarein Year13,liveinConnaughtandareallexperiencedboarders.Theirroleisto representboardingwithintheschoolandcultivateaspiritofmutualrespectwithin theentireboardingcommunity.
EachprefecthasresponsibilityforaparticularHousewhichtheyvisiteachweek.
P f h ld l i d l ayspartofsocialevents These
Aisha Deputy
Sesili Prefect
Kylla(right)
Ashley
BoardingRepresentatives
Year10and11willselectarepresentativetobeontheboarders’councilandfood committee.Wewanttomakesureeachyeargrouphasavoiceandthesegirlswill playasignificantrolesuggestinganddiscussingchanges,maintaining,reviewing andenhancingthequalityoflifeforboarders.
InternationalBoardingCommittee
Theinternationalboardingcommitteeactsasaforumforallinternationalboarders andissupportedbyMrsDobson.MrsDobsonhelpsorganiseandpromote internationaleventsattheschool.
ImportantInformation
SpeakingEnglish
OurstudentsareactivelyencouragedtospeakEnglish asitisacommonlanguageinwhichallboarderscan communicateandthusfeelincluded.
SpeakingEnglishcouldputyouatadistinctadvantage withregardstofutureuniversityinterviewsandemployment. Thisdoesnotmeanyoucannotspeakyourownlanguageasweareawarethata dayofschoolthinkingandcommunicationinEnglishistiring,howeverin communalareasyoumustspeakEnglish.
HouseMeetings
Youwillhavehousemeetingsonceaweekwith MrsDobsonandMsKingwhere informationwillbesharedanddiscussed.
Ourhouseprefectwillorganiseregularmeetingstoallowthegirlstovoiceideas, concernsandsuggestionwhichshewillthensharewithMrsDobson.Thedateof thesemeetingwillbeplacedonthenoticeboard.
7:00am Wakeup
7:20am BelltolineupforbreakfastinCommonRoom
7:30am BreakfastinDiningHall
8:00am Returnfrombreakfasttogetreadyfortheschoolday
8:20am Leaveforschool
4:00pm Returnfromschoolandfreetime
5:45pm BelltolineupfordinnerinCommonRoom
6:00pm DinnerintheDiningHall
6:30pm Returnfromdinner
7:00pm Studytime
9:00pm EndofstudytimeandsupperinCommonRoom
9:45pm Alltobereadyforbed
10:00pm LightsoutforYear10,Year11sturntheirownlightsout
Noshoweringafter10:00pm
Meals
Year10and11arerequiredtoattendallmeals.Snacksare providedintheevenings.Thefoodmaybedifferentbutthere arealwaysmultiplechoicesandthecateringdepartmentare veryhelpfulincateringfordifferentdietaryrequirements.
Thecommonroomandsnugaretheretobeusedduringfree timeandontheweekends.
HouseKitchen
ThekitchenisformakingdrinksandsnacksandisopentoallZetlandpupils.There isalwaysmilk,squash,tea,coffee,cereal,bread,ham,cheeseandvariousspreads ,freshfruitandbiscuitsarealsoreadilyavailable.Pupilsmayalsobringinorgo outtobuytheirownsnackswhichcanbekeptinlabelledplasticboxesprovided. Fullmealsandtakeawaysarenotpermittedunlessagreedbypriorarrangement withtheHousemistressforaspecialoccasion.
Thekitchenmustbekeptcleanandtidy,foodmustbedisposedofcorrectlyand crockeryandutensilsmustbewashedorplacedinthedishwasherasthismakes thekitchenanenjoyablespaceforeveryone.
GoodieBox
Housestafforderbasicfoodstuffsfortheweekends.Anyfoodyoupurchasefor yourselfmustbeappropriatelysealedandlabelledwithyourname.Anyfoodthat isnotinappropriatelystoredcontainerswillbedisposedof.
HouseDuties
Therearedutiestobeundertakenbyallpupilsonaweeklyrotationalsystem, completedinpairs.Itisimportantthatyoufulfilyourdutyasitensuresthesmooth runningofthehouse.
PersonalFoodItems
Anyitempurchasedbyyouandputinthefridgemustfollowthefollowingrules: 1.Allitemsinthefridgemustbeinthecorrectplace-pleasefollowthefridge safetylayout
2.Allfoodsmustbeinsealedboxes,namedandlabelled.(LabelswithHousestaff)
3.ItemsopenedforlongerthanthreedaysMUSTbethrownaway.
4.Noleftovertakeawayfoodcanbeplacedinthefridges.Itmustbethrownaway. Alldriedfoodsmustsealproperlyandbelabelledwithyournameandplacedon theshelvesinthekitchen.
Youmustbeawareoftheallergenfoodsandmakesuretheseareclearlylabelled. WeDONOTallowanyformofNUTStobeinoraroundtheHouse.
Rooms
Youwillbeallocatedasharedorsingle(Year11only)room. Youmustkeepyourroomneatandtidy.Thereshouldbe nodirtylaundryorclothesleftonthefloor,bedsmustbe madeeachday,thefloorclearedofclutter.Thetidiness ofyourroomswillbemonitored.Zetlandcleanerswill cleanyourroomsandemptyyourbins.
EntrytotheHouse
TheHouseisaccessedbyinsertingtheHousecodeintothekeypad.Thedooris lockedoncethelastmemberofstaffhasgonetobed.Duringschoolhoursthe Housewillbelocked,pleaseremembertotakeeverythingthatyouwillneedfor thedaywithyouinthemorning.
WeeklyBoarders
YouarewelcometoreturnanytimeonaSunday.However,9pmisthelatestasthe pupilsneedtosettleandgetorganisedforMonday.
PleasenotethatTeaisat6pm-6.45pmandthehousewillbelockedduringthat
period.YouarewelcometojoinusintheDiningHallorwaitoutsidethehouse.
ElectronicItems
Allelectronicitems(eg laptops,phones,tablets,hairdryers,phonechargesand electronictoothbrushes)willbePATtestedeveryyear.Atthebeginningof theSeptembertermyouwillbeaskedtoputalloftheseitemsonyourbed, includingextensioncables,tobetested.Ifyoubuyanynewitemyoumusttell yourHousemistress.Thiswillthenbetakenandtested.Youwillnotbeallowedto useituntilthetested.
CareofPersonalProperty
Eachpupilhasalockabledrawerorcupboardbutpleaseavoidbringingvaluable orexpensiveitemsintoschool.Wecannotacceptresponsibilityforitemsofthis nature.
Boarders’PrivacyandRespectforOthers
Duringthetermtheboardinghouseisyourhome.Youareentitledtoyourprivacy butitisimportantthatyoualsorespecttheprivacyofyourfellowpupils.
Youshouldnotgointoanotherpupils’roomiftheyarenotthere. Youshouldalwaysknockbeforeenteringanotherpupils’room. Onschoolnights,pupilsshouldbeintheirroomsandtheHousesilentby 10:00pm.
Laundry
Underwearandtights/socksarewashedeverydayinHouse.Theseitemsmustbe placedinanamedlaundrybagandthenplacedinthewashingbasketinthe laundryroom.Theywillbeplacedinthepupils’personallaundrybasketandwill beavailableforcollectionontheirreturnfromschool.
StudyTime
Between7pmand9pmthehouseisquiettoenablestudentstocomplete homeworkandstudy.Year10willbesupervisedinthecomputerroom,while Year11smayworkintheirroomsanddoorsmustbeopen.Musicmaybeplayed providedthatthevolumeiskeptlowandcannotbeheardoutsidetheirroom.
CommunicationandHome
Communicationwithhomeisveryimportantandthereisavarietyofwaysinwhich thiscanbedone.TheboardinghouseisnetworkedandhasWiFiwhichshould makeusingtechnologytocontacthomemucheasier.Postisdelivereddailytoa centralofficeandiscollectedbyZetlandstaffandbroughtbacktothehouse.
BoardingCommunityGatherings
WhilstwedonothaveaformalchapelserviceeverySunday,wedocometogether asaboardingcommunityforagatheringfor30minutes.Thegatheringcouldtake theformofashortrecitalgivenbythestudents,awalkintheschoolgrounds, mindfulness,yoga,etc.Boarderswillbeexpectedtoattendformalservices,such astheRemembranceServiceandAdventServiceaswellasonetocelebrate boarding.
FireProcedures
AllboardersaregivenaHouseNumberandmustrememberthisnumberasitis keytothefireprocedure.Allstudentsmustfamiliarisethemselveswiththedrill, whichthestaffwillinductandshowwherethefireexitsareinthehouse.
Ifthealarmsounds,youmustleavetheHousethroughthenearestsafeexit. Donotstoptocollectpossessions.
Evacuatethebuildinginsilenceandmakeyourwaytothedesignatedmeeting place.
Lineupinsilenceandwaitcalmly.
Amemberofstaffwilladvisewhenitissafetore-enterthebuilding.
Alwaysfollowinstructionscarefully.
Thefirealarmmustalwaysbetreatedseriously.
HealthCare
Thenursingteamprovidesfirstaidandhealthcareforallboarders.Thequalified teamisondutyfrom7:30amuntil4:30pmMondaytoFriday.Thereisalsoan emergencyserviceoncallandallboardersaretoberegisteredattheColneHouse Practice.
Medication:Asaboardingschoolwehavemanylegalguidelinesregardingthe storageandadministrationofmedication.Allmedicationwillbecollectedonyour firstday,andreturnassoonasNurseBurrowshascheckedit.
Itmustbeprovidedinitsoriginalcontainershowingtheindividualstudent’s name.
Writtenconsentfromtheparentsandclearadministrativeinstructionsmust behandedinwiththemedication.
Theschoolisunabletoadministermedicationthatdoesnotfollowthepolicy.
SigningInandSigningOut
WhenleavingtheHouseyoumustsignoutand informhousestaffandthensigninagainonyour returnalsoinforminghousestaff.
PermissiontoGoOut
Permissiontogooutneedstobegivenbyyourparentorguardianusingtheform onMySchoolPortalunderBoarding/BoardingForms.
Pleasereadthisformcarefullyandcompleteasappropriate.Ifyouareinvitedto stayoutovernight,thiswillinvolvedifferentpermissionsandcanbearrangedwith theHousemistress.
GoingOut:DuringtheWeek
Year10and11maygoouttoRickmansworthonceaweek.Therearethingsto remember:
Youmaynotgoalone.Youmustbewithatleastoneotherperson. Youmusttellamemberofstaffyouaregoing. Youmustsignout
Yourphonemustbecharged,andyoumustanswerifitrings.Youmustalso havetheZetlandphonenumbersavedonyourphone. Youmustbebackby17:45pm Signbackinandtellamemberofstaffyouhavereturned Anyproblems,howeversmall,pleasephoneZetlandimmediately.
GoingOut:OvertheWeekend
Thesamerulesapplywithphonesandsigningout,andparentsmusthavesigned theformonMySchoolPortal.
Year10'smaygotoRickmansworth,HarroworWatfordforamaximumof4hours.
Year11'smaygotoRickmansworth,Harrow,WatfordandLondonforamaximum of5hours.
OutingsandVisits
Awidevarietyofactivities,outingsandvisitsarearrangedeachtermanddetails aredisplayedinthehouse.Ifyouwishtoparticipate,speaktotheHousemistress.It isadvisedasitprovidesagoodwaytointegratewiththeotherboardersandmake friends.
HolidayArrangements
AtthebeginningoftermallboardersareexpectedtoreturntotheHousenolater than7pmontheboardersreturndate.Onyourarrivalpleasesayhellotostaffand ensurethatyousignin.Handinyourpassport,anyotherdocumentationandany medication.Parentsarewelcometohelptakethingsintoyourroomsandassistin unpackingbutonlywiththeagreementofstaffandyourroom-mate.
Attheendoftermyoumustpackawayeverythingandleaveyourroomcleanand tidy.Thenightbeforeleavingyoumusttakeyoursuitcasesandbagsandleave themintheCommonRoom,readyforcollectionthefollowingday.