BOARDING NEWS JULY 2016

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1 BOARDING NEWS JULY 2016 The Boarding Orchard Many of you will remember that in my last newsletter I wrote about the fruit trees that we had planted to become part of the Boarding Schools Association s Boarding Orchard. In only a couple of months the trees, whilst yet to provide us with any fruit, have benefitted from sunshine, of which there has been plenty of late, and water, some of it via a watering can but bucket loads thanks to us having has so much rain earlier in the term. To me, their growth represents so much to do with boarding: nurturing, thriving, tender loving care and getting out what you put in. It may sound clichéd but it is also true and I hope that just like the fruit trees that we planted that you will see your children growing and maturing just a little bit each and every time they return at the end of a term or, as is the case now, the end of an academic year.

2 Activities and Trips Since I last wrote to you all, we have squeezed in a phenomenal amount during the evenings and at weekends. As ever, during the trips that I have been on, I would say that we see the boarders at their absolute best: always polite, appreciative but wonderful company and full of fun. In addition to barbecues, strawberries and cream during Wimbledon and big screens for the Euros, we have been to Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre, which is back by popular demand next term, Butlins and the Year 12s went White Water Rafting at the Lee Valley Centre.

3 St George s Boarding Conference Another reference back to the last Boarding Newsletter relates to the Boarding Conference mentioned in the Headmaster s speech at the May Ball. This event is set to take place on the evening of Thursday 29th September All boarders will play their part as will residential boarding staff, the Leadership Team and other key members of St George s staff. Parents are not invited! However, you can be involved by investing just a small amount of time talking with your child about the key points and questions below that will form the basis of discussion activities come the evening itself. I am not asking you to spend any more than a few minutes of your time on this during what is well earned summer break. Just to sow a few seeds of thought would be brilliant... 1/ How should our boarding aims and objectives be re-written to better reflect every day goals and objectives in a 21 st Century modern boarding environment without losing traditional values? 2/ How can we best meet the needs of BOTH 6th formers wanting facilities that befit their seniority, and younger boarders needing a more protected environment befitting their development? 3/ How can we ensure that boarders are fully integrated into school life at St George s? How can this be further enhanced in a school with a low proportion of boarders? 4/ What can we do to get the most out of each and every boarder academically and to ensure that exam results and boarder attainment is at least on a par with the remainder of the school? How can we ensure that boarders fulfil their potential academically? 5/ How could boarders dining experience be refined in order to make breakfast and dinner a focal point of the day? Avoid this becoming a we like this but don t like that session 6/ What enhancement is needed to ensure that boarders get every technological benefit of being at home whilst keeping your parents safe in the knowledge that you are not suffering from digital distraction? 7/ How would you develop evening & weekend activity programme and the social calendar for boarders? 8/ Do the house rules in Crosthwaite, Keswick and Skiddaw reflect 21 st century boarding? What should our system of rewards and sanctions look like? 9/ What changes do you want to see to the fabric of the houses over your remaining time here as a boarder? 10/ How could Years 10 and below be given more opportunity to take responsibility and show leadership? Royal National Children's Foundation As many of you will now know, there remains the opportunity for you as parents to support the work of the RNCF. For more information about the RNCF and to find out how you can donate, please click on the image.

4 Our Pact Speaking both as a parent and as someone acting in loco parentis for those who board at St George's, it is of increasing concern the volume of time that teenagers spend engrossed in their phones, tablets, laptops and other devices. I also had a fascinating conversation with a student who has just left the school who gave a student's insight into the role that screens play in nearly all teenager's lives. The message 'go with it and don't fight it' was clear. And so, rather than look to a traditional method to answer the 'problem', I look to alleviate the problem of technology...with technology. I feel that especially for boarding parents, this idea might help you feel a little more in touch with your child during term time when they might otherwise feel so far away. Our Pact is an app which costs nothing which helps you set your own limits on daily screen time and internet access. Should you ever have concerns about your child's time in front of a screen whilst they are at school, this app may save the worry. To find out more about Our Pact visit their website at or search for Our Pact in the App Store. Early Leavers & Term Dates It has been a little frustrating and disappointing that a significant number of boarders have had to depart early for the summer holidays. Some have had very good reasons but it is fair to say that some haven't. So much happens at the beginning and end of term it is a shame that any boarder has to miss out. Further to this, the home-school agreement clearly states that you as parents will make every effort to ensure that your child arrives at the beginning of a new term and leaves at the very end of each term. Term dates for net academic year are as follows: Autumn Wednesday 7th September Friday 16th December 2016 Spring Wednesday 4th January Friday 31st March 2017 Summer Tuesday 18th April-Friday 21st July 2017 Any requests for late arrival at the beginning of term or early departure at the end of term should be put in writing to me, The Director of Boarding. Please be aware that authorization will only be given in extenuating circumstances.

5 Farewells As the summer term draws to a close we say farewells to a number of the boarding community. Gabriella and Gonzalo Gonzalo-Martin (both in Year 7), Tito Morales and Christina Alverez (both in Year 9) head back to Madrid having spent the last year with us. We wish them well during the next leg of their journey. We also say farewell to all of the Year 13s, although they left some time ago now, as they embark upon university courses across the country. It is with regret that we also say a heart felt goodbye to Mrs Hayley Young who has worked for some years in Keswick House as an Assistant Non-Resident Houseparent. We hope that Hayley will stay in touch and will be back to visit. Her calm and patient approach will be missed as will the ongoing support and encouragement that she offered to the girls in all areas of their boarding life. Thank you Hayley from all of us. Dates for your Diary Sunday 4th September Monday 5th September Tuesday 6th September Wednesday 7th September Thursday 8th September Sunday 11th September Sunday 2nd October New boarders in Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 arrive 2-4pm Welcome briefing in The Chapel 5pm Returning boarders in Year 12 arrive by 8pm Remaining boarders arrive by 8pm Start of Autumn Term 8:40am Boarders Chapel 6:30pm Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre Thorpe Park (closed house) All that remains, is for me to wish each and every one of you a restful summer holiday. See you in September! JT We are always keen for you to contribute to the Ofsted ParentView survey, which a number of parents of both day pupils and boarders have already contributed to. There are some extra questions on it specifically about boarding which we are interested in. Click here to give your views Click here to see what other parents have said