A very warm welcome to Aldhelmsted East (East)
Welcome to Aldhelmsted East, affectionately known as East, where friendship, fun, and possibilities await. This is your guide to navigating the exciting journey of boarding life, tailored just for you, our incredible Easties.
This handbook provides lots of helpful information so you can start to get to know the House before you step foot inside the door. We hope that it is both useful and reassuring to you and your family.
East is a happy home away from home where you can walk away from school at the end of the day, knowing you’ll have the warmest welcome. It’s a place where you will find support, encouragement and a community that believes in your potential, where you can truly be yourself. There will be many of us here to help you when you first arrive and no question is too trivial. We are really proud that East contains some fabulous communal spaces where the whole House can gather for socials, House meetings or a bit of Just Dance, as well as having
the best outside space, including our own grass tennis court. I know that you will enjoy using these spaces with your new friends and that very soon you will be a proud Eastie.
We foster a House ethos of kindness and consideration for others, respecting one another’s space and individuality and in East you will be championed and celebrated. We want you to succeed, grow, and create friendships that will last a lifetime, to embrace challenges and enjoy all the wonderful opportunities and moments that are waiting for you knowing that everyone in East is right there with you, supporting you.
I want your time at East to be filled with cherished memories and personal achievements and I am very much looking forward to warmly welcoming you to East.
With best wishes
Mrs Custodio Housemistress
Important contact details
House
Mrs Custodio (Housemistress)
e.custodio@sherborne.com
House email: aldeast@sherborne.com
House landline: 01935 818228
House mobile: 07808 775569
School
Ms Leonie Cole
Designated Safeguarding Lead
01935 818305 / 07581 047402
l.cole@sherborne.com
Please add these details to your phone. It is important that you can get in touch with the House at all times. The House phone is answered by the Matron during the day, and the Tutor on duty in the evening.
House ethos
• Everyone has the right to enjoy living and working in our community, and each individual should feel valued and proud to be in our House
• It is important that we respect each other’s views and feelings
• We need to care for each other and our home, we should respect each other’s property, space and time
• We should treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves
• Everyone should try to set a good example
• We need to think of the House as being part of a bigger community
• We should support each other, particularly when others feel unhappy, homesick or alone
• We recognise and celebrate everyone’s achievements in all areas of their School life
• Be kind, always
‘Hoc Tempus Faciendum Est’ ‘Now is the time for action’
House Motto
House family
In East we place being a family at the very heart of what we do. Everyone in House looks out for each other. Older girls are always available and more than willing to support younger girls in the House. We eat every meal together and once a week in family nests, which change on a termly basis. These are a group of seven or eight girls from various year groups, and the idea is that you get to know all the other girls in the House really well over the course of the year and become a tightknit support unit for each other.
East is your House, and we value enormously your opinion and views on how we function and remain the brilliant home-fromhome we are. House meetings and Year Group Meetings offer everyone the opportunity to feed back their opinions. We can then use these views to change or improve things in East.
You will be informed of your family group at the beginning of the Michaelmas term and they are also displayed in the dining room.
The House staff
There are several members of staff in House. From our matrons to resident staff, the duty tutors to the Assistant House Parent. You will get to know us all very well.
The HM is supported by a residential Assistant who runs the Boarding House during the HM’s time off in the week. The wider house pastoral team includes day matrons who are in the House from 8.00am-6.15pm and a team of residential staff who perform evening and weekend duties. All the pastoral staff work tirelessly to support the girls in making the House feel like a home-fromhome and they are all looking forward to meeting you in September.
The Matrons’ job is to look after the practical aspects of you living here. For example, they will make you appointments at the Health Centre. They organise train tickets and taxis when you need them and liaise with your parents about your travel arrangements for exeats and the end of term. Matrons also check that your rooms are tidy and will help you with laundry if needed.
Everyone is allocated a Tutor. Your Tutor will see you once a week and can come into the Boarding House and have lunch with you. They will help you organise your school work and answer any academic queries.
They meet regularly with the HM to discuss your performance and progress.
Support in House and in the School
There are lots of people to talk to. All the House staff are here for you, and we are all good at giving hugs!
New girls to the House are allocated a buddy. Please use your buddy as a useful source of information.
In addition, the L6 girls are here to help you. The Head and Vice Head of House have been appointed to these important roles as they really do care about the House and the girls who live here. They will listen to you and help you.
We also have a team of L6 Supporters and Listeners. These girls have been trained and will offer a listening ear if you are worried about anything and you would prefer to speak to someone nearer your own age. Look on the noticeboards for information about our Supporters and Listeners. They all have a sign on their bedroom door that says ‘Supporter and Listener’. Just knock on their bedroom door if you want to talk.
We have three School Counsellors (Heddy, Lauenna and Veronica) who come into School to talk to girls. You can also speak to the Chaplain if you want a chat. The Chaplain can be found in the Ark in Main School.
If you would like to speak to someone independent of school, then do look at the noticeboards, where there are lots of helpful telephone numbers on display.
Dealing with homesickness
For some of you, this may be your first time away from home, and you may not find the first few days easy. That’s okay. It doesn’t matter how old you are when you first move away from home, it is always tricky getting used to different routines and getting to know new people. The important thing to remember is that if you are feeling homesick, it will pass.
The Health Centre and medicine
Dr Middle and Dr Thomas are our School Doctors. All boarders are registered with them. One of them comes to the Health Centre from Monday to Friday at 8.00am and you can easily get an appointment to see them if you need to. You can either make one yourself by going to the Health Centre, or ask Matron and she will organise an appointment for you.
If you feel unwell, the House staff may suggest that you go to the Health Centre to see a nurse for advice (or we will phone from Aldhelmsted East to get advice). There is always a nurse on duty in the Health Centre.
If you want to see someone in the Health Centre but do not want to let anyone know that you are going, either Teams message ‘Health Care Reception’ or email health@sherborne.com to arrange an appointment.
You are not allowed to keep any medicine or tablets in your room. All medicines are kept in the medicine cabinet in the House office. If you need to take medicine regularly then usually this is done at 8.00am.
Tootoot
Meals
All meals in House are compulsory. We always take a register, and we use this as a roll call. Please be prompt to mealtimes. If you have specific dietary requirements, please let the House staff know as soon as possible, so that arrangements can be made with our Chef.
Mealtimes are as follows:
Breakfast
Monday – Friday 7.30am/7.45am
Saturday – 7.30am
Sunday – 9.30am (if there is a morning service) or
Sunday – 11.00am brunch (if there is an evening service)
Lunch
Monday – Friday 1.00pm
Saturday – A rolling lunch to make sure you can eat before or after your sport
Sunday – A rolling brunch served between 9.30 – 11.00am
Light lunch at 1.00pm
Supper
Monday – Friday 6.15pm
Saturday 6.00pm
Sunday 6.00pm (unless there is an evening Abbey Service, in which case it is at 5.30pm)
When arriving for meals, please queue up in the corridor until the member of staff on duty says you can come through. You must wear something on your feet and your hair must be tied back. At breakfast and supper, girls tend to sit with their year groups. Supper times (and all meals on Sundays) tend to be very relaxed – PJs are perfectly acceptable!
On Friday evenings you will sit in family nests across the year groups so you get to know the whole House really quickly. You must wait until everyone has finished eating their main course on your table before you are dismissed to clear your plates.
Please remember table manners in the dining room. For example, no elbows on tables, don’t talk with your mouth full, etc.
If your Tutor is in for lunch, remember to be a good host: please chat to them – they have made an effort to come and spend lunch with you.
The dining room is a mobile-free zone. Please do not take your phone out in the dining room –expect it to be confiscated if it is seen!
Takeaways
You may order takeaways on Saturday evenings. However, you need to get permission from the member of staff on duty beforehand. You must also wait downstairs so that you can watch for the delivery driver and your takeaway must arrive before 9.00pm.
In addition to this our House Prefects are responsible for a number of different areas, including House Spirit, Wellbeing, Sport, Music and Food (to name but a few!) and lead important initiatives in these areas.
Daily routines
8.00am Medication is given out by Matron
8.10-8.25am Monday: Assembly Wednesday: Prayers Friday: Hymn Practice
8.30-9.15am Period 1
9.20-10.05am Period 2
10.10-10.55am Period 3
10.55-11.25am Break – in House *
11.25-12.10pm Period 4
12.15-1.00pm Period 5
1.00-1.45pm Lunch – in House
1.45pm Activities or Period 6 (for some pupils)
2.35-3.20pm Period 7
3.25-4.10pm Period 8
4.15-5.00pm Period 9
5.10-6.10pm Activities / free time
6.15-7.00pm Supper and Roll Call – in House
7.00-8.45pm Prep – in House (varies for each year group): L5 work the dining room
9.30-10.00pm Bedtime (varies for each year group)
*There are only three lessons on a Saturday.
Prep and evening routines
L5
7.00-8.00pm Prep
8.30-8.45pm Free time
8.45pm Hand in tech
8.45-9.15pm House meeting/downtime/Pantry
9.15-9.30pm Side lights/reading
9.30pm Lights out
M5
7.00-8.30pm Prep
8.30-8.45pm Free time
8.45-9.15pm House meeting/downtime/Pantry
9.00pm Hand in tech
9.30pm Side lights/reading
9.45pm Lights out
U5
7.00-8.30pm Prep
8.30-8.45pm Free time
8.45-9.15pm House meeting/downtime/Pantry
9.15pm Hand in tech
9.45pm Side lights/reading
10.00pm Lights out
L6
7.00-8.45pm Prep
8.45-9.30pm House meeting/downtime/Pantry
9.30pm Hand in tech
10.00pm Side lights/reading
10.15pm Lights out
Going out and welcoming visitors to the House
Going out
After lessons you are allowed to go to Morrisons (only girls in East can additionally go to the Co-op). You must sign in and out and you must be back in House by 6.15pm, ready for supper. You must either be in full uniform or in smart casual clothes (check the dress code for more details on this). You should never be ‘partly’ in uniform, by mixing it with your casual clothes.
L5 and M5 are allowed into town on Saturday afternoons after either match commitments or Saturday Sport, and on Sundays when other commitments allow.
U5 and L6 can go into town after lessons. Again, you must be back in House by 6.15pm.
Going outside Sherborne M5 upwards may go to Yeovil at the weekend but permission must be sought from the HM or the member of staff on duty. A taxi must be ordered by the person on duty and you must be in a group of at least three (L6 can go in pairs).
L6 can go to Bath, Salisbury or Bristol but this must be organised with the HM.
If it is your birthday or a special occasion, your parents may take you out for supper. However, unless this is a weekend, you may not invite any friends. This is because going out midweek is disruptive to prep routines. This is a School rule (not just a House rule). If you would like to celebrate your birthday with friends, it is best to wait until Saturday evening or Sunday lunch.
L6 can go out to a restaurant for supper on Saturday or lunch on Sunday in groups of no more than six. This also needs to be arranged in advance with the HM.
Please be aware that even if you do not have a match on a Saturday and you are in L5 or M5, you still have a commitment to Saturday Sport and so you are not available to meet with parents until after this time.
Your behaviour and dress when out and about must be exemplary, as you are representing the School. Please create a good impression. The School boundaries are published on the House noticeboards: you must be aware of where you are and are not allowed to go.
Exeats/weekends out
There are usually two exeats every term normally from Friday lunchtime to Sunday evening. You may not leave School before this time.
All girls need to leave promptly for exeat, after which time the House will be locked up. It will not reopen again until 6.00pm on the Sunday evening, so please do not return before this time as you will not be able to get in. However, if you do need to arrive back to School earlier than 6.00pm, a selected House will be open and a Matron will be on duty there. All girls must return by 9.00pm after an exeat weekend. Pupils who require accommodation in School during exeats should ask House staff for further information
Keeping personal items safe
All rooms and ‘cubies’ are equipped with a lockable drawer or cupboard. You are advised to keep any precious items locked away. You will need to see Matron if you wish to have the key for your lockable drawer, and she will sign it out for you. Please be aware that you need to return the key at the end of term. If you lose it, you will be charged £15 for a replacement.
Money and passports
Passports must be handed in. If you require a Visa to study in England, your passport is kept locked in the House office. Anyone who has any cash is advised to hand this in to us for safekeeping. You may use us as a House bank, and sign out money as you wish to use it.
Day boarders
You have set nights that you stay and you need to let the HM or a Matron know which nights these are. You need to give 48 hours’ notice if you would like to stay on any other nights (or go home when you would normally sleep over).
Day Boarders and Day girls are expected to attend the School’s Abbey services which are important community events and happen approximately once a month.
Day girls
Day girls are welcome to come into school for breakfast and stay for supper and prep, as well as any evening activities.
At weekends they are welcome to remain in school until the end of evening activities (approximately 9.30pm). We want to encourage day girls to be part of the House and to feel integrated and well-supported. Day girls have their own day space within the house where they can study and relax during the day, as well as store their books and get changed for activities such as sport, CCF, and co-curricular clubs. We encourage the day girls to decorate their space with photos, bunting and other personal items, just like the boarders decorate their rooms.
Day girls are always welcome to attend Sunday evening prayers and are expected to be present at the following whole school events:
• Remembrance Sunday Abbey Service
• Carol Service
• Candlemas (a mid-week early evening service in Sherborne Abbey)
House and School facilities
Laundry
Each House has a laundry room with industrial washing machines and tumble dryers. Everyone can use these machines and must manage their own washing. They are automated and dispense detergent and fabric conditioner for you. To help you get into the routine of doing your own laundry in the first term you will get plenty of assistance from Matron, and anyone who needs to use specific washing powder for allergy reasons (or because you like the smell of ‘home washing’!) can use this as well.
If you do not name your clothes, they are likely to get lost or mixed up with someone else’s laundry and it can become difficult to identify whose washing is whose. If you buy new clothes during term, then borrow a Sharpie from Matron’s office and label them with it. It will save Matron a lot of time trying to sort through unclaimed, unlabelled washing. Bedding and towels can be washed centrally each week if you wish. This washing is collected on Monday morning and is brought back to House on Thursday. Each House has a laundry cupboard where spare bedding is stored.
Hygiene
This is really important, especially living as communally as we do. Please make time to shower every day. Get yourself into a good routine. Use shower gel and deodorant. It is equally important that you wash your clothes regularly, as it is pointless washing your body and then putting dirty clothes back on. The sports tops get smelly really quickly, so you need to make sure you wash them regularly.
It is a good idea to organise your clothes in your room. A small ‘pop-up’ laundry basket is a really good idea. If you put dirty laundry into one of these, it is less likely to get muddled up with clean clothes. If you put your clothes away (instead of using your floor as a ‘floordrobe’), you will be able to separate clean from dirty clothes more easily.
Oxley Sports Centre
All girls are automatically members of the Oxley Sports Centre. Many make use of its well-equipped gym. In order to use this, you need to go to the front desk and register. The staff will organise an induction session with one of the Personal Trainers, following which you are free
to use the facilities. If you are under 16, you may sign up for the Junior Gym activity that happens several days each week from 5.00pm to 6.00pm. If you are 16 or over, then you are able to use the gym whenever it is convenient, but you must check with the House staff first.
School Shop
The School Shop is open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday during term time (closed at 12.30 – 1.00pm for lunch).
Girls can visit the shop during break, lunch and after school but not during lesson time. Parents and staff can visit during the shop’s opening hours, all day. You will find school uniform in the shop, along with a range of stationery items, as well as toiletries and tuck. Your access card doubles as a shop card and is needed when you pop in to make purchases. Parents will have authorised a termly allowance for you which enables purchases to be made without using cash or debit cards. However, cash and debit cards are also accepted. You can also order items to be delivered to the House.
Uniform items to the value of £30 may be purchased when replacements are required. The shop staff will require parental permission for any item you wish to purchase above this amount. This can be shown as a text message, completion of a uniform chit signed by House Matron, or an email from parents to schoolshop@sherborne.com. Parents can also order uniform direct via phone, email or website.
Uniform expectations/dress
All girls are required to uphold the uniform expectations as listed in the School Dress Code at all times during the school day, including time spent moving between lessons. When in academic lessons, Sixth Form pupils should wear their jackets at all times unless permission to remove them is requested and granted. Any pupils who have been given permission to visit Sherborne during lesson times should be in school uniform. School trips will require either full uniform (or suits for Sixth Form), or smart casual.
Appearance during lesson times (8.30am – 5.00pm)
You must look clean, neat and tidy at all times. Hair should be neatly tied back if it is below the shoulders and jewellery should be limited to one pair of stud earrings. Piercings halfway up the ears are not allowed, nor are nose piercings. Bracelets are not allowed and just one simple necklace is permitted.
Sherborne Girls terminology
Year-groups
L4 – Year 7
U4 – Year 8
L5 – Year 9
M5 – Year 10
U5 – Year 11
L6 – Year 12
U6 – Year 13
The Houses and their colours
Aldhelmsted East – Purple
Aldhelmsted West – Pink
Dun Holme – Light Blue
Kenelm – Red
Mulliner – Black
Reader Harris – Green
Wingfield Digby – Yellow
General
Ark – the Ark is a quiet space where the Chaplain is based. It is in the main School building and all pupils may use it as a space for quiet reflection
BLT – Beddington Lecture Theatre, a room in the Beddington Building
Cubie – Cubicle (bedroom)
Exeat – when School closes for the weekend (usually from Friday lunchtime to Sunday evening)
Family Nest Suppers – when year groups are mixed up to sit together for lunch
Granny Patch – The housing area opposite the pitches
Gransden Hall – The main hall inside The Merritt Centre
Hanford – Hanford Preparatory Girls’ School
Main School – The Main School building, containing the School Hall
The Merritt Centre – The Music School and the Wirth Gallery
Morrisons – A shop in the BP Garage
Oxley – The Oxley Sports Centre and Coffee Pod Café
Pantry/Supper Trolley – snacks after prep
Prep – Homework (also the name given to study periods during the School day)
Prayers – Services that take place in the School Hall or Gransden Hall before school on certain days
Queenie’s – The café in The Merritt Centre
Socials – Saturday night social events
SPS – Sherborne Prep School
SB – Sherborne Boys/The Boys’ School
SSG – Sherborne Schools Group
Devices Timetable 2025/26
• Phones should never be taken to lessons: phones visible in lessons or around site during the day will result in sanctions.
• Charging: phones and devices need to be charged in dorms during the day or during prep.
• Be prompt: devices which are late at hand-in result in a sanction.
L4/U4
L5 PHONES
L5 DEVICES
M5 PHONES
5.15 - 6.00pm 5.15 - 6.00pm 5.15 - 6.00pm 5.15 - 6.00pm 7.30 - 8.00pm 7.30 - 8.00pm 7.30 - 8.00pm 7.30 - 8.00pm
-
M5 DEVICES
U5 PHONES
U5 DEVICES
L6 PHONES AND DEVICES
5.00pm - 7.00pm 5.00pm - 7.00pm
-
U6 PHONES AND DEVICES
8.00am - 8.45pm 8.00am - 8.45pm 8.00am - 8.45pm 8.00am - 8.45pm
- FREE 5.00pm - 7.00pm 5.00pm - 7.00pm PHONE - FREE 8.00am - 9.00pm 8.00am - 9.00pm 8.00am - 9.00pm 8.00am - 9.00pm
5.00pm - 7.00pm
- 7.00pm 5.00pm - 7.00pm 8.00am - 9.15pm 8.00am - 9.15pm 8.00am - 9.15pm 8.00am - 9.15pm 8.00am - 9.30pm 8.00am - 9.30pm 8.00am - 9.30pm 8.00am - 9.30pm Phones not Phones not Phones not Phones not around school/ around school/ around school/ around school/ in lessons in lessons in lessons in lessons
U6 pupils should leave their phones in the Boarding House throughout the school day until 5.00pm. They are not permitted to bring phones to lessons, Prayers, Assembly, lectures or Abbey services. Pupils are supported in exercising self-discipline when using smartphones and devices so that these are used in a positive and productive manner.
Packing list
Please make sure all belongings are clearly and robustly named.
• School uniform and games kit, all details are listed online*
• One duvet
• Two duvet covers (sheets, pillows and pillowcases can be provided but please bring your own if you prefer). Where possible, please do not bring any plain white bedding as this can get mixed up easily, even if named.
• Two bath towels (with loops sewn in for hanging them up)
• Wash bag with toiletries (including brush, toothbrush and Nitty Gritty nit comb)
• Microwavable wheat bag
• Dressing gown/onesie
• Pair of slippers
• Trunk/suitcase
• Small rucksack for day trips/outings
• Laundry bag/box for storing dirty laundry, the pop-up kind works well
• Small mesh laundry bag (named, for smaller laundry items)
• Tuckbox (lockable and named) not to exceed 55cm x 40cm x 35cm
• Pair of wellingtons or walking boots
• Waterproof coat for trips
• Music case for girls who have additional Music lessons
• Casual clothes and shoes (all named please)
• Nightwear
• Underwear
• Swimming costume and goggles
• Coat hangers
• Hairdryer
• Batteries
• Toothbrush charger and adaptor (if required)
• Bits and bobs to decorate dorm: e.g. photos, posters, cushions, teddies, bunting, fairy lights (battery-operated only)
• A pencil case containing protractor, pair of compasses, green biro, purple brio, pencil, pen, easer, sharpener, glue stick, highlighter pens and 30cm clear ruler
• Alarm clock
• One set of slightly smarter home clothes suitable to wear for an evening with Dr Sullivan in White Lodge (skirt, dress, trousers and top)
• Windows 11 pen-enabled device, charger, headphones (clearly named)
• Mobile phone and charger (clearly named). These items are not compulsory.
Driving lessons
You may choose to take driving lessons in your Lower Sixth year. Please remember that your academic studies take priority and you are not allowed to miss school commitments for driving lessons. Driving lessons can be arranged during study periods, after school or during free time at the weekend.
The sourcing and arranging of driving lessons is a private arrangement between parents/guardians and the driving school. We recommend that parents ask driving schools about appropriate checks for their drivers, such as a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
Once driving lessons have been arranged, please email aldeast@sherborne.com to provide: the name of the instructor, the name of the company and the instructor’s contact details and your parents’ permission. Matron keeps a record with the time and date of all driving lessons so that you can be signed out correctly. If your lesson time changes, please let matron know.
Pupils are not permitted to bring, or drive, their cars onto school site, or to drive themselves, or others, to and/or from school.
Key contacts
Head, Dr Ruth Sullivan: headspa@sherborne.com
Head’s EA, Jane Raven: headspa@sherborne.com 01935 818 203
Designated Safeguarding Lead, Leonie Cole: l.cole@sherborne.com
Senior Deputy, Jessica Briggs: SeniorDeputySG@sherborne.com
Deputy Head Academic, Dr Rebecca Stone: deputyacademic@sherborne.com
Health Centre: health@sherborne.com
School Shop: SchoolShop@sherborne.com
Caretaker (24 hours): 07881 580279
IT Support (Weekends): 07766 016150 (Sat 12.30 – 21.00; Sun 09.00-18.00)
House contact details:
Mrs Custodio (Housemistress)
e.custodio@sherborne.com
01935 818228 | 07808 775569
aldeast@sherborne.com
School contact details: Bradford Road
Sherborne DT9 3QN 01935 812245
office@sherborne.com
www.sherborne.com
