f ABBEYLANDS 2025
Welcome
I’d like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the staff and boys of Abbeylands. I’m sure that you are both excited, and maybe slightly apprehensive about starting at the School, but please rest assured that we will do everything we can to support you in settling in, and making the very most of all the opportunities available at Sherborne. This booklet is an incredibly useful starting point in helping you to get to know the House, its staff and its routines, particularly the important timings of the day. I hope that this will go part of the way to answering some of the questions you may have.
As you will no doubt know by now, Abbeylands is a very family orientated House, with a big focus on kindness. This booklet should be a good reminder for you of the key personnel that you will come into contact with, who are here to ensure that you are well-supported during your time.
Milo Fairman Head of House
Top Tips
• Arrive promptly to all your commitments
• Check your email twice a day
• Keep valuable items locked away – this is a good habit to get into for later life
• Only enter another boy’s room when they are present and if they are happy for you to be there
• Go to all School meals – they have already been paid for
• Eat cooked food (including takeaways) in the communal kitchen areas – this is sociable and more hygienic
• Takeaways are permitted at the weekends only
• When playing outside in the bargeyard or in the garden please be considerate to our neighbours with regard to the noise you make, the language you use and where you kick the balls
• When using kitchen areas, keep them clean and tidy so that they are ready for others
• Keep noise to a minimum in House after 10.00pm
• Keep your room tidy, do your bedding properly each week and stay on top of your laundry
• Dress smartly and appropriately during School hours and for School commitments
• Remember to phone home regularly, even just to say ‘hi’
• Treat boys how they would like to be treated
Housemaster
Housemaster
Mr Buckley
Mr Buckley is in charge of the well-being of all boys in Abbeylands and will keep you informed on all areas of House and School life. You can go to Mr Buckley about any questions or concerns you may have, he is always there to listen and guide you. He is also the first point of contact for your parents and will help bridge home and School life for you as soon as you arrive in September.
Mr Buckley is currently our Director of Cricket Coaching and before moving to Abbeylands was Assistant Housemaster of Harper House. He was a Professional Cricketer for Durham County Cricket Club, winning the County Championship in 2013 and the Royal London Cup in 2014 (alongside England greats such as Ben Stokes, Paul Collingwood and Mark Wood.). He spent six years in Hong Kong, as Director of Cricket of The Hong Kong
Cricket Club before moving back in 2022. He coached at Millfield School before joining Sherborne. You may also find him on the croquet lawn in his spare time. Mr Buckley lives in Abbeylands with his partner Kieran and their short-haired German pointer, Billy.
It is best to speak to Mr Buckley in person, but he can also be contacted via email: ryan.buckley@sherborne.org or call his mobile: 07484 016517. The House office number is 01935 810570. The duty mobile number is 07788 972239. (you should add these to your contacts if you have a phone).
House Staff
Matron Rachel Rachel joined the school in 2015 and this will be her third year as Head matron. She is an ever present kind and caring figure in the House and is always there to listen to any concerns you may have. She is also a really talented cook and loves nothing more than catering for the boys when they have socials or even just snacks to eat whilst watching the rugby or Britain's Got Talent! Rachel is passionate about 'her boys' and will always do everything that she can to help them.
Ness is an integral part of the team at Abbeylands and is involved in all the different areas of House life. She works incredibly hard to make sure that all of us feel a real sense of home throughout our time in the House.
Assistant Matron Ness
Assistant
Becca is joining Abbeylands at the same time as you and is really looking forward to being part of your House team. She has 13 years of SEN experience, is a keen runner and loves endurance events. Becca is also a devoted 'dog mum' to her working cocker spaniel Maverick.
Mr Kirby is also the Director of Drama. He lives in Abbeylands with his wife, two daughters and son. He has a cat named Angel and two tortoises, Fred and Wilma. In his spare time, Mr Kirby loves reading and watching plays, spending time in the outdoors with his family and loves sport, in particular, cricket.
Resident Tutor Julian Leang
Mr Leang is Head of History and Politics. He is a keen hockey player and spends as much time as possible in the mountains in sun or snow. He is engaged to Libby an NHS surgeon.
Matron Becca
Assistant Housemaster Alistair Kirby
Tutors, Domestic Staff and Prefects
Tutors
When you join the School you will be assigned a personal tutor who will be there to help and support you.
Domestic Staff
You will learn to appreciate the work of the domestic staff, led by Holly Green, who work hard to keep Abbeylands looking immaculate. Not only do they do a superb job of cleaning the House but they are also on hand at House events such as the Christmas supper and the Commem lunch. Remember to respect the work that they do and that they are not there to clean up after you.
Prefects
These are Upper Sixth boys who you’ll get to know well during your first year in Abbeylands. They are ideally placed to give you advice on all aspects of life at Sherborne.
Milo Fairman (Head of House)
Sam Bourke
Henry Carvosso
Caspar Garton
Archie Gibbons
Seb Kunzer
House Facilities
Looking out the front window of Abbeylands you are right on the High Street, as well as being just a couple of minutes walk from the School’s main buildings. The House itself is warm and inviting and also has a real sense of history that reminds us of the Old Shirburnians that have lived, worked and played in the House before us.
The Garden
Although Abbeylands is a townhouse, we have a hidden gem of a garden. Based on two levels there is a grass area with a bargeyard where boys of different year groups often play bargeyard cricket or football together. We also have a raised Sixth Form garden which is a quieter space for Upper School boys to have friends round and relax. We use the gardens a lot during the summer for BBQ’s and summer teas.
The Common Room
The Common Room is the hub of the House where we all spend time together. Within it there is a pool table, a wide screen TV, futsal table, small kitchen and seating areas for us to relax and socialise. It’s often a hive of activity and a place where boys congregate and get to know each other.
Sixth Form Common Room
This is a space at the end of the House, housing a flat screen TV, and small kitchenette. It’s often used to host year group socials as it is an intimate and relaxed environment.
The Day Room
This is where you will do your Hall in the evenings, supervised by the House Prefects.
The Oak Room
A traditional part of the House which used to be the original dining room that is now used for House assemblies and other House based events. It’s a room with a real sense of history that reminds us of the steps others have taken before us.
School Timetable
School periods Monday to Friday (Third Form)
Period 1 8.30 – 9.15am
Period 2 9.20 – 10.05am
Period 3 10.10 – 10.55am
Break 10.55 – 11.25am
Period 4 11.25 – 12.10pm
Period 5 12.15 – 1.00pm
Lunch 1.00 – 1.30pm
Q Time (Period 6) 1.35 – 2.30pm
Period 7 2.35 – 3.20pm (Tues & Fri only)
Period 8 3.25 – 4.10pm (Tues & Fri only)
Period 9 4.15 – 5.00pm (Tues & Fri only)
Games 2.35 – 5.00pm (Mon & Thurs)
Abbey Services
Wednesday 6.30 – 7.00pm
Sunday 7.45 – 8.30pm
Saturday
Period 1 8.30 – 9.15am
Period 2 9.20 – 10.05am
Period 3 10.10 – 10.55am
Break 10.55 – 11.25am
Lunch 12.15 – 1.20pm
Games/matches 1.45 – 5.00pm
Assemblies (8.10 – 8.25am)
Monday Whole School Assembly (BSR)
Tuesday Lower School Assembly (Powell Theatre)
Thursday Sixth Form Assembly (Powell Theatre)
Friday Junior Chapel (Chapel)
Meal Times
Breakfast 7.30 – 8.25am
Lunch 1.00 – 1.30pm
Senior Supper 6.00 – 6.25pm
Junior Boys Supper 6.30 – 6.55pm
Your Day
Monday to Friday
7.15am Wake up bell and morning routine check begins
7.55am All to be up, dressed and ready for school with beds made
10.55am – 11.25am Break – snack by Matron’s office
6.00pm – 6.25pm Senior supper
6.30pm – 6.55pm Junior supper
6.55pm Roll Call in the Common Room
7.00pm – 8.45pm Hall
9.00pm Phones in for Third and Fourth Forms
9.30pm Third Form up to dormitory and lights out at 10.00pm
10.15pm Fourth Form lights out
10.30pm Fifth Form lights out
10.30pm Sixth Form in their studies.
Additional times
Wednesdays: 6.30pm – Abbey Service (Supper from 5.30pm)
Saturdays: 5.00pm – Roll Call; 7:00pm assembly
Sundays: 10.45am Everyone Up; 11.00am – 12noon Hall
6.50pm Roll Call and Assembly; 7.00pm – 8.00pm Hall
Careers Department 01935 810545
Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England 0800 528 0731
www.childrenscomissioner.gov.uk
Learning Support 01935 810528
Designated Safeguarding Officers
Lead - Mr Sheffield - 01935 810427
Deputies - Mrs Bowerman - 01935 810432
Mrs Spencer - 01935 810476
Mrs Hutchings - 01935 810539
Mr Boyd-Williams - 01935 810544
Mr Sunderland - 01935 810427
DSL@sherborne.org
Mrs Kershaw - 01935 81 co
Independent person
re willing to help you. l boys can use these services, but, in some cases, eople to check on availability.
Matron master n 14525
Teachers and other staff
Health Centre 01935 810539
School Doctors
Drs Nickinson, Nickinson and Armitage 01935 872530
Chaplain
Revd Campbell - 01935 810498
School Counsellor ounsellor@sherborne.org
House Activities
During the School week and indeed throughout the course of the year, there are a number of activities and events that are on offer for the boys.
Regular activities include:
• Tuesday evening 5 a side football on the astro-turf
• Movie nights
• Quiz night
• Hot chocolate
• ‘Come dine with me’
• Poker nights
• House pool and chess competitions
• Chess ladders
During their time at Sherborne, boys will have an opportunity to be part of a House play (at least twice). The Abbeylands production of ‘An Incident at Vichy’ was not only an outstanding success, but it showcased the talent and commitment levels of the boys.
A House production is an incredibly special event, made even more so by the support and presence of parents and family members at the performances. All in all they are a real highlight in the House calendar.
House Play
House Charity
Abbeylands supports the Ian Williams Foundation.
Ian Michael Williams, Old Shirburnian and former member of Abbeylands was a talented tight-head prop fulfilling his dream of being a professional rugby union player. But sadly on 20 February 2018 he collapsed whilst training for English Championship club Doncaster Knights, and, despite the best efforts of his teammates and the emergency response team, he could not be resuscitated. He was aged just 27.
Known as a gentle giant (unless you happened to be facing him in the pack!) Ian was well respected and liked by all of his teammates from his various clubs, and will always be remembered with much affection.
For those who may not have known him personally, he was very much more than the popular perception of the average prop forward – a talented musician and intelligent man with a keen interest in literature and history – but there is no doubt that rugby was his passion and his raison d’être. He was determined to pursue rugby as a profession, and it was this dream he was realising when he died.
Established after Ian’s death The Ian Williams Foundation aims to safeguard the heart of sport –the life, health and attitude of ‘the athlete’.
To find out more about the Ian Williams Foundation please visit: theianwilliamsfoundation.org
House Socials and Trips
Most weekends there are social events running for you to take part in. There are year group socials which are run with local girls’ schools, particularly Sherborne Girls that take place across the year at different venues and locations. These range from discos to open mic nights. There are also a range of House based trips that happen on a Sunday including: paint balling, coasteering, shopping trips to Bath and Exeter, sports events and cinema trips.
Abbeylands has a House Council and we’re all encouraged to put forward ideas for trips and excursions.
Sherborne Terminology
Many abbreviations and acronyms are used within the School community. You will find the below useful:
• Hall – Homework and prep time. Hall time is between 7.00 – 8.45pm
• Blues – The uniform worn by the Lower School (Third, Fourth and Fifth Form)
• Blue Book – Useful information including list of Boys and staff
• Lists – Whole School presentation of prizes and awards at the end of each term
• Carey’s – The sports fields south of Horsecastles Road
• The Upper – 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket pitch
• The Lower – 2nd XV Rugby pitch below the Upper
• Upper Astro – Astroturf next to the Upper
• Carrington Building – Geography, Economics and Business Studies
• Hughie Holmes – Astroturf across the road from the Upper and Lower and next to Carey’s
• The Grove – Modern Foreign Languages block and computer rooms (G9 and G11)
• Pilkington Labs – Chemistry and Physics Laboratories
• Turing Block – Biology department
• The San (Health Centre) – School medical centre, with full time nurses and visiting doctors
• BSR – Big School Room; function room for whole School assemblies, lectures, lists and musical and drama productions
• OSR – Old School Room; the School’s original school room adjacent to School House
• Courts – The central courtyard of the School containing the English, Classics, Maths and History classrooms as well as the Library and Custos.
• Custos – School Security team based in The Lodge at the main gate to the Courts
• Bow House – Staff Room
• JCR / The Stick – Bar and function area for use by the Sixth Form on Saturday nights
• Abbots Acre – External Relations department and conference room
• Powell Theatre – The majority of School and House plays take place here, also some lectures and year group meetings
• SG – Sherborne Girls
• The Carmen – The School song
• VES – Values, Expectations and Standards: a document that details how we should conduct ourselves
a School House
b Abbey House
c The Green
d Harper House
e Wallace House
f Abbeylands
g Lyon House
m The Digby
Frequently Asked Questions
How much homework will I be set in the Third Form?
Usually in the Third Form you will be set one Hall per subject per week. There is a timetable that tells you when Hall should be completed by. It is definitely a good idea to try and complete your Hall on the night they were set in order to avoid getting a backlog of Hall.
What can I do if I am struggling with my Hall or can’t hand it in on time?
If you are having difficulty with your Hall, rather than giving up on it you should contact your subject teacher a couple of days before the Hall is due in and organise a time to meet up and help you through it. Alternatively, you could ask one of the Prefects or Tutors on duty in House in the evenings. Academic Support is the ideal time of day for this.
How much money do I need in Third Form?
Generally speaking in Third Form you don’t need that much money at all. You should have a bank account with a debit card attached to it and about £10 will be sufficient as an allowance each week. You shouldn’t have large amounts of money simply in your wallet or in an unsecure place.
Is it useful to have a mobile phone?
Yes, however it is not compulsory. Third Formers do not normally have permission to carry mobile phones with them during the day but have access to them in the evenings before handing them in 45 minutes before bed times. On weekends boys are allowed more time with their mobile phones.
When can I meet my friends in other Houses?
You can visit your friends in other Houses in any of your free time. Boys from other Houses are also more than welcome. Visitors must sign in and sign out on arrival and departure and make themselves known to the Matron or Housemaster. The same applies for you when you are visiting a friend’s House. You are expected to display the highest level of conduct when visiting other Houses.
When can I meet my friends at the girls’ school?
You may have friends from prep school who are now at Sherborne Girls and you will get to know more of the girls over the course of the year through socials. You can go to visit the girls in their Boarding House Common Room in your free time outside of the normal working day. You are also expected to display the highest level of conduct when visiting the girls’ Houses.
When do I get to go home?
Generally there is an Exeat either side of half term in each of the three School terms, the dates of these are published on the School website. For an Exeat boys are free to go home after their last school commitment on a Friday afternoon and return to the House by 9.00pm on Sunday night. Boys can also be granted leave to go home on a weekend if they have an important commitment to make or family occasions e.g. birthdays and weddings.
What do I do if I don’t feel well?
If you don’t feel well at any time of day you should first go and see Matron. They will give you the necessary medical attention or send you to the Health Centre where they will be able to help you further. If necessary you can be seen by a doctor who visits every weekday morning.
What do I do if I feel homesick?
If you are feeling homesick it’s very important you don’t bottle it up, there are plenty of people you can go to who will make you feel better and help you get through it. You can speak to your Housemaster, Matron, your Tutor, one of the Prefects or often the best person to speak to is just a friend. Homesickness is nothing to be embarrassed about and happens to many more boys than you think, there are plenty of people in the same position as you.
