Boarders - Somerville House

SOMERVILLE HOUSE 

Boarders ’ Handbook 

2011

somerville house 

honour before honours 

introduction 

Welcome to another year of 

boarding at Somerville House. 

For those girls boarding for 

the first time, welcome to the 

Somerville boarding family. 

The purpose of this handbook is to provide 

important information for you and your 

daughter to help your family become familiar 

with boarding at Somerville House. As you 

can appreciate, there are many areas we have 

only touched on in this handbook. During 

orientation these topics will be discussed 

more fully and we invite you, as parents, 

to put forward any queries or concerns 

during our discussion at this time. 

Aspects and guidelines contained within 

are unique to boarders with more general 

information on school life at Somerville House 

contained in the 2011 Family Handbook. The 

guidelines within this handbook such as leave 

requirements, visitors’ lists etc. are designed 

to ensure your daughter’s safety and security 

at all times. We ask that you abide by these 

when you visit the School or when making leave 

or travel arrangements for your daughter. 

We also invite boarding parents to become 

involved in Somerville House boarding by 

attending the Boarder Support Group meetings 

held in Fewings (in Cumbooquepa) on the 

afternoon before School returns each Term. 

2011 Support Group meetings are 

held in Fewings as follows: 

Sunday, 23 January 2010 3:30pm 

Sunday, 10 April 2010 

Sunday, 10 July 2010 

Sunday, 2 October 2010 

2:30pm 

2:30pm 

12:30pm 

These Support Group meetings along with 

Family Days held throughout the year, provide 

an opportunity to meet other boarding 

parents and become directly involved with 

your daughter’s school life. The first social 

function for boarding parents throughout 

the year is the Boarding Parents’ Cocktail 

Party being held in the Old Town Hall (Cnr 

Graham and Vulture Streets) on Sunday, 

23 January at 5:30pm (following the 

Boarders’ Support Group Meeting). 

On behalf of the Somerville House Boarding 

Staff, I look forward to meeting your 

family and to welcoming your daughter 

to her new home away from home. 

ALAYNE McDOUGALL 

HEAD OF BOARDING

BOARDERS’ 

HANDBOOK 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

ACCOMMODATION 2 

COMMUNICATION 3 

ARRIVAL AT SOMERVILLE HOUSE 4 

CLOTHING AND DRESS 4 

LAUNDRY 4 

BOARDERS’ WARDROBE LIST 5 

MEALS AND DINING ROOM PROCEDURE 6 

STUDY 7 

LIBRARY 7 

BEDTIMES 7 

BOARDERS’ DAILY ROUTINE 8 

CHAPEL 9 

ACTIVITIES 9 

LEARNING TO DRIVE 9 

PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT 9 

MEDICAL CARE 10 

ACCOUNTS 11 

SCHOOL SHOP 12 

VALUABLES 12 

PROHIBITED ITEMS 12 

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 13 

BOUNDS 14 

LEAVE 15 

VACATION AND TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS 17 

SECURITY 18 

EXECUTIVE POSITIONS 19 

BULLYING POLICY 19 

APPENDIX A - CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 20 

APPENDIX B – FORMS 26 

INDEX 33 

CRICOS Provider Number: 000522G

2011 boardERS’ handbook 

Accommodation 

The Somerville House boarding community has traditionally 

consisted of three separate houses: 

Mavis Holden Years 7, 8 and 9 

Craig Hall Years 10 and 11 

Cumbooquepa 

Year 12 (plus some other year 

levels from time to time) 

At the start of the 2010 school year, a new boarding house 

was opened accommodating all boarders from Years 7 to 

11 under one roof. Boarders in these year groups are now 

housed over two floors of boarding with a rooftop terrace for 

all boarders to enjoy during leisure periods. 

To maintain the tradition of Somerville House boarding, each 

level has been named after the two respective boarding 

houses that have been replaced to make way for new 

accommodation – the first level of boarding is Mavis Holden 

and continues to house boarders from Years 7, 8 and 9; while 

the second level of boarding accommodation is called Craig 

Hall and houses Year 10 and 11 boarders. The tradition of 

moving Year 12 boarders up to Cumbooquepa (also known as 

Main House) for their final year, a destination many of them 

have looked forward to from Year 7, has continued. 

The Head of Boarding, in communication with staff, oversees 

the allocation of rooms. In all year levels (numbers 

permitting) the places are rotated each term so that each girl 

has a change of environment. To reduce costly maintenance, 

girls may attach approved posters only under the supervision 

of a mistress. 

There are Common Rooms in each House with televisions, 

DVD players etc and kitchen facilities for supper and 

weekend breakfast preparation. 

Each House is closed while the girls are at school. Obviously 

the mistresses cannot always be available during this time 

and if you do need to phone during the school day please 

phone the School Office on (07) 3248 9200 and leave your 

message with the Receptionist. Your call will be returned 

as soon as possible. The Head of Boarding resides with her 

family off-campus and can always be contacted by phone 

through the above number during office hours or the after 

hours numbers on the following page. 

Each Boarding House is supervised by Senior House- 

Mistresses assisted by Assistant House-Mistresses. All 

Houses are under the supervision of the Head of Boarding. 

4 

honour before honours


Communication 

TELEPHONE 

Telephones are provided in each House with incoming access. 

Please try to keep calls to the times recommended below. 

Long calls do not tend to make the girls happy and in cases 

of homesickness, can even achieve the opposite. 

Between 8.00 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday the School 

telephone number is: 

(07) 3248 9200 

After hours and weekends, the Boarding House telephone 

numbers are as follows: 

Cumbooquepa 

(Year 12 and some other senior year levels) 

Staff Phone Numbers: 3248 9205 or 3248 9292 

West Wing 3255 3065 

East Wing 3255 3063 / 64 

Craig Hall Level of New Building (Years 10 and 11) 

Staffroom 3248 9248 

Students 3248 9260 

Mavis Holden Level of New Building (Years 7, 8 and 9) 

Staffroom 3248 9244 

Students 3248 9250 

Head of Boarding 

School Hours 07 3248 9214 

After Hours (home) 07 3392 1630 

Mobile 0402 045 283 

Email address 

amcdougall@somerville.qld.edu.au 

Deputy Head of Boarding 

Mobile 0408 226 599 

After Hours (home) 07 3891 6631 

Email address 

jdenman@somerville.qld.edu.au 

Boarders are not permitted to phone out or receive 

calls during Prep or dinner. However, unusual 

circumstances (emergencies or overseas calls) will be 

accommodated. Year 7, 8 and 9 girls are encouraged 

not to make or receive phone calls after 8.30 pm 

and Year 10, 11 and 12 girls are encouraged not to 

make or receive phone calls after 9.30 pm unless in an 

emergency. These calls should be directed to the staff phone. 

FAX FACILITIES 

The Boarding School fax number is: (07) 3846 1451 

Girls are able to use the fax facilities in Cumbooquepa. 

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE 

Parents are encouraged to keep in touch by post as a letter 

can be read over and over, whereas a phone call finishes as 

soon as you hang up. All girls look forward to the arrival of 

mail. 

All written correspondence regarding boarders should be 

addressed to: 


PO Box 3357 

SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101 

AUSTRALIA 

E-MAIL FACILITIES 

Email is available in all Houses and the Day School. 

To contact boarding staff via email, please use the following 

sequence: 

Initial of first name and surname@somerville.qld.edu.au; 

e.g. amcdougall@somerville.qld.edu.au 

COMMUNICATION FROM SCHOOL TO HOME 

The Somerville House Newsletter is produced as a weekly 

communication link between the School and parents. All 

parents receive an electronic copy which is also on placed on 

the School website each Wednesday. If you do not receive 

your electronic copy via email each week, please advise the 

Development Office on dev-office@somerville.qld.edu.au and 

we will be sure to have you added to the email distribution 

list. 

Twice yearly, ‘Connections’ magazine is produced by the 

School and posted home to all parents. 

A Boarding House Report is sent to all parents at the 

end of Terms 1 and 3. All boarders receive a report from 

the Day and Boarding School at the end of Term 1. 

5 

somerville house 2011


Arrival at Somerville House 

NEW BOARDERS 

New boarders and Year 12 girls come to school for a 

special orientation program prior to the start of term at the 

beginning of the year. All returning boarders should be in 

residence on the day before school commences between 

3.00pm and 5.00pm. 

Parents are asked to take all possible steps to avoid late 

arrival, but if there is no alternative, they are asked 

to inform the Principal of the details in advance. 

In the event of an unforeseen delay, please contact the 

Head of Boarding. 

Clothing and Dress 

It is desirable that boarders dress neatly and are careful 

of their appearance while at the School. A House Mistress 

may request that a girl changes if she appears in unsuitable 

clothing at any time. 

It is important that boarders are provided with proper and 

conventional nightwear suitable for summer and winter. 

Dressing gowns and slippers must be provided. 

Civilian clothes should be selected according to taste, season, 

and suitability for garment maintenance (e.g. colourfast 

materials for washing). It is not advisable to purchase too 

many casual clothes before arriving as tastes in clothing can 

change when girls see what others are wearing. Many outfits 

bought especially for Boarding School are often left hanging 

in the wardrobe. All girls should have an outfit suitable for 

outings to the theatre. This should include a jacket and 

appropriate shoes. The amount of clothing brought should fit 

in one suitcase (see wardrobe list on page 5). 

It is the responsibility of the Mistress on Duty to ensure that 

the girls are suitably dressed when leaving the Boarding 

House. Whilst walking to and from the pool, girls must be 

covered from shoulder to mid-thigh, and thongs or sandals 

must be worn. 

FOOTWEAR 

Rubber thongs may be worn to the swimming pool or to 

the bathrooms, but must not be worn into the dining room. 

When not wearing school shoes, girls should wear sensible 

casual shoes or sandals. Gym shoes are not permitted in the 

dining room unless worn with the School sports uniform. 

NAMING 

All clothing and possessions must be clearly marked with 

woven name tags on the back neck of uniforms and dresses; 

and the back of waistbands on skirts, jeans, pants and 

underwear. 

The School Laundry will not wash unnamed uniforms. 

Laundry 

The laundry washes and irons all school uniforms, sheets, 

doona covers, pillow-slips and bath towels. Year 7 laundry 

is done by housekeeping staff for Term 1. All other Boarders 

are required to wash and iron their own civvies and 

underwear. Washing machines and dryers are available to 

all boarders after school and at weekends. Parents should 

ensure all girls are familiar with washing procedures before 

they arrive. 

The Mistress on Duty will ensure girls are aware of these 

procedures once they arrive. All laundry is to be completed 

before quiet time and emptied from dryers before lights out. 

No laundry is to be done on weekday mornings. Clothes are 

not to be washed in the showers or hand basins. Laundry 

facilities are available in each House for hand washing. 

6 



Somerville House - 

Boarders’ Wardrobe List 

To be read in conjunction with the School Uniform details on pages 7 to 9 of the Family Handbook. 

All uniform items available from the P&F Uniform Shop 

SUMMER UNIFORM 

3 green dresses 

1 School Blazer (same for Winter) 

1 cream panama hat & hatband 

5 pairs string coloured socks 

1 pair black shoes 

1 navy sport skirt or navy sport shorts 

2 pair navy bike pants 

2 white sports tops 

3 pair white sports socks 

1 school sports cap 

1 pair predominantly white sandshoes 

1 blue & green school swimsuit/sunshirt 

green hair ribbons – 15mm width (if required) 

green scrunchies (from P&F shop) 

WINTER UNIFORM 

2 navy tunics 

3 white blouses 

1 School tie 

1 navy velour hat and hatband 

1 School pullover 

1 School tracksuit 

DINNER DRESS 

Boarders are required to wear either a dress, 

skirt or tailored pants and appropriate footwear. 

Jeans are permitted in Winter. 

Shorts, pedal pushers, track suits, ugg boots and rubber 

thongs are not permitted in the dining room. 

Dressing for dinner is a tradition to be respected. 

CIVVIES 

7 pair briefs and 4 bras 

summer pyjamas 

winter pyjamas 

1 dressing gown 

1 pair slippers or ugg boots 

1 evening outfit to wear to plays, concerts, etc 

1 pair jeans 

2 pair shorts and T’shirts 

1 dress, or skirt & blouse for dining room 

1 warm skirt or dressy pants 

1 warm pullover or cardigan / jacket 

1 pair dress / casual shoes and sandals 

1 pair rubber thongs (pool & shower) 

wet weather gear is essential as House locations are 

scattered on campus 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

Doona, cover and mattress cover/protector 

1 pillow 

2 sets single fitted sheets 

2 pillow cases 

2 standard bath towels (not large please) 

1 beach towel 

1 face cloth 

Umbrella 

Coat hangers 

Soiled clothing container 

Mesh laundry bag for fragile items 

Brush & comb 

Toilet bag – toothbrush & toothpaste, soap in container, 

deodorant, shampoo, nail brush, sun screen, nail polish 

remover etc 

Tissues & sanitary products 

Mending kit (navy, green and white cotton) 

Extra name tags, marking pen & safety pins 

Shoe cleaner 

Wash powder, napisan, sard wonder soap and pegs 

Ceramic mug 

Alarm clock 

Small overnight bag for weekend leave 

1 ream of photo copy paper 

2 striped polyfabric storage bags (for storing doona 

and pillow etc during holidays) and 1 suitcase only. 

Parents and girls will be requested to remove any 

extra items from campus. 

7 



Meals and Dining Room Procedure 

The kitchen in the Boarding School provides three meals 

a day, supplemented by morning tea, afternoon tea and 

supper. 

On school days the girls prepare their own lunches (at 

lunchtime) from the salad bar. A variety of breads/rolls, and 

fillings are provided and girls are supervised to ensure they 

have adequate provisions. Morning tea is taken at Breakfast. 

Fresh fruit is always available. Special dietary requirements 

are catered for. Parents need to advise of these details in 

writing to the Head of Boarding. 

Special themed dinners are held throughout the year. 

Breakfast on Saturday is held in the Houses for all students. 

This enables the girls to have an easy day, sleeping-in if they 

desire. Saturday and Sunday lunch is usually a take-away 

from the kitchen. 

Each Boarding House is closed for one hour (12.30 pm – 1.30 

pm) for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays when all girls are 

required to come to the Main House. Telephone calls to the 

Houses will be unanswered at these times. Please do not 

panic – just call later. 

MEAL TIMES 

Weekdays Breakfast 7.00 am – 8.00 am 

Dinner 

6.15 pm 

Friday Dinner 5.30 pm 

Saturday Breakfast In House 

Lunch 

12.30 pm 

Dinner 

5.30 pm 

Sunday Breakfast 8.30 am 

Lunch 

12.30 pm 

Dinner 

5.30 pm 

* When evening Chapel is held, breakfast is prepared in 

the individual boarding houses instead of at the set time of 

8:30am in the main dining room. 

The kitchen is advised of weekend meal numbers every 

Thursday morning, so all boarders should know their 

weekend plans by this time. 

DINING ROOM AT CUMBOOQUEPA 

The dining room is a gracious and elegant room and certain 

conventions are observed. Girls are required to dress 

smartly and neatly for all meals. Boarders are required to 

wear either a dress, skirt, jeans, tailored or ¾ pants and 

appropriate footwear to dinner. 

Dressing for dinner is a tradition to be respected. 

Please remember we are in the city and beach wear 

it not appropriate for the girls to wear in the dining 

room or outside the boarding house. No bare midriff 

showing please. 

During the week, full school uniform or sports uniform must 

be worn in the dining room for breakfast. 

Girls coming to dinner in school uniform must ensure they 

have the correct combination of clothing. This includes 

footwear. 

Boarders assemble outside the dining room five minutes prior 

to every meal. Once the dinner gong has been sounded, 

talking must cease until all girls have entered the dining 

room and Grace has been said. Once seated in the dining 

room, girls may talk quietly and appropriate table manners 

should be observed at all times. Loud behaviour is not 

encouraged in the dining room. 

Boarders are instructed in dining room behaviour during 

the year and the maintenance of good manners and correct 

dining room protocol is encouraged. 

Attendance at meals is compulsory unless a girl is sick and 

arrangements will then be made for a meal to be delivered 

to her. 

Girls are not permitted to stay in their Houses 

unaccompanied during meal times (except special 

arrangements for girls in Cumbooquepa). Please note that 

if girls are to be collected for an outing during meal times, 

they must come to the Main House (Cumbooquepa) and be 

collected from there. 

Home delivered food (pizzas etc.) are not permitted unless 

approved by the Mistress on Duty. 

8 



Study (PREP) 

All students have a set period of Prep before and after 

dinner each night, Monday to Friday, under the supervision 

of a Housemistress. Years 11 and 12 students also have 

a set period, but are not constantly supervised as they 

are expected to discipline themselves in good study 

habits. The time set down by the Boarding House is for 

an average student. Many girls will want or need to do 

extra study. Girls will also have weekend homework 

which they do unsupervised and in their own time. 

Maximum use must be made of Prep time. Set homework 

or revision must be carried out. Silence is encouraged 

and girls are expected to get everything organised before 

Prep. Girls are required to remain quietly at their study 

desks throughout the session and are not allowed to move 

around as this disturbs others. Girls are expected to 

maintain behaviour appropriate to that of the classroom. 

Girls in Years 10, 11 and 12 do their Prep in their 

own dormitories under the supervision of a roving 

Mistress. Girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 have Prep in 

the study areas of their level. It is suggested that 

an appropriate novel be available for reading if set 

homework is completed prior to the end of Prep. 

Boarders are encouraged to work independently and develop 

good personal study habits. 

The program for Prep for Monday to Thursday is as follows: 

Years 7 and 8 

Year 9 

Year 10 

Years 11 & 12* 

5.00 - 6.00 pm 

7.00 - 7.30 pm 

5.00 - 6.00 pm 

7.00 - 8.00 pm 

5.00 - 6.00 pm 

7.00 - 8.30 pm 

5.00 - 6.00 pm 

7.00 - 10.00 pm 

*Years 11 & 12 – after bedtime, quiet study in bedrooms is 

permissible by arrangement with the House Mistress on Duty 

(MoD). 

During lessons at the beginning of the year, all students will 

be taught how to make the best use of their study time. 

Supper is available for all years during or after Prep. 

Use of Seymour Library 

All boarding students are welcome to use the Seymour 

Library on any school day from 7.45am - 4.45pm. 

Access to the Seymour Library outside of School hours is 

possible in consultation with the Head of Library Services. 

Library staff are available during the school day to assist 

boarding students with research, locating resources on a 

particular topic or looking for a good read. Please see the 

Student Diary for more information about the services 

offered by the Seymour Library. 

Any boarding students accessing the Seymour Library outside 

of school hours are to be supervised at all times by boarding 

house staff. 

Bedtimes 

Year 7 Monday to Thursday 9.00 pm 

Friday & Saturday 9.30 pm (flexible) 

Sunday 

9.00 pm 



Sunday 

9.00 pm 



Sunday 

9.30 pm 


Friday & Saturday 10.30 pm 

Sunday 

9.30 pm 


Friday & Saturday 11.00 pm 

Sunday 

10.00 pm 

Year 12 Monday to Thursday 10.30 pm (flexible) 


Sunday 

10.30 pm 

Girls must consider their peers at bedtime and maintain a 

quiet atmosphere. Loss of sleep due to a noisy dorm is 

most unfair and results in unhappy girls. 

Senior girls are able to continue studying in their rooms after 

10.00 pm provided a quiet atmosphere is maintained. All 

lights must be out by 11.30 pm as adequate sleep/rest 

should be a priority. 

9 



Boarders’ Daily Routine – Years 7 to 11 

4.30 am – 6.45 am Exit available to Craig Hall girls going to early morning organised team sports training (Swimming, 

Rowing or other Sports training). For Mavis Holden girls, early departures must be with prior 

notification to the Mistress on Duty. All girls must sign out before leaving or the night before. 

6.45 am First wake up call by Mistress on Duty. 

7.00 am Girls should be out of bed when Mistress on Duty comes around this second time. Before leaving the 

House, towels hung up and toiletries put away, beds made, desks and rooms tidied. Uniforms and 

bed linen (on relevant days) should also be placed in laundry hampers for Housekeeping. Sign out if 

going to any sport or activity after school. 

Kitchen Duty for the 

Day: 

As required, rostered Kitchen duty girls should collect the inter-office satchel to be taken to Main 

House, empty containers for the Kitchen, and food order list (Craig), if filled in. 

7.00 am Breakfast in Dining Room in Cumbooquepa (Main House). All girls are to have left Mavis and Craig 

floors by 7.30am. 

8.00 am Girls leave dining room after removing their breakfast dishes and cleaning their table; however, girls 

returning from sport training are permitted in dining room to finish late breakfasts. 

3.10 pm Girls on kitchen duty collect afternoon tea and any other food items, milk, etc, needed. If 

circumstances prevent kitchen duty being done, it can be swapped as long as the swap is 

reciprocated. 

4.30 pm Mavis girls must have returned from local leave and change out of uniform for Prep. 

5.00 pm Prep: All year groups, unless at sport, start Prep and work until it is time to leave for dinner. 

6.00 pm Dinner times (unless otherwise notified): Monday-Friday: 6.00pm. Saturday-Sunday: 5.20 pm. 

Dinner Dress: 

7.00 pm Prep Continues 

Please refer to Page 6 of Handbook 

8.00 pm Supper time for Years 7 & 8 – Quiet time: 8.30pm 

8.30 pm Supper time for Years 9 & 10 – Quiet time: 9.00 pm 

8.45 pm Supper time for Year 11 – Quiet time: 9.30 pm 

Supper Time: 

Quiet Time: 

Years 7 – 10: Girls on Kitchen Roster put away food, clean and tidy kitchen. As soon as supper is 

finished, girls to complete toiletries in readiness for quiet time and bed (Year 11s clean up after 

supper themselves). 

Mobile phones are collected and computers are to be taken to lapbanks in Office. 

Music is to be turned off. Preferably girls read a book. 

Lights Out: Years 7 & 8: 9.00pm Years 9 & 10: 9.30 pm Year 11: 10.00 pm 

Girls may be permitted to study after lights out, sitting quietly at the tables in the designated area opposite 

the Office. 

10 



Chapel 

Boarders attend a morning or evening service in the Chapel 

every Sunday. Any parents who are in Brisbane on a Sunday 

are most welcome to attend with the girls and should check 

on the time. 

The correct attire for morning and evening Chapel is smart 

casual wear. The School Chaplain is responsible for any 

arrangement necessary to prepare girls for membership of 

local parish Churches or confirmations. 

Activities 

Girls are encouraged to participate in school life, sport, social 

and co-curricular activities offered by the School as much 

as possible. Girls are permitted to play for sporting teams 

outside the School (with parental permission) providing 

school sporting commitments are fulfilled. When girls play 

sport outside the School, some restrictions apply and so this 

needs to be carefully negotiated with the Head of Boarding 

before signing up with any teams. It is always our intention 

that the girls are able to participate in any approved activity 

they desire. 

Social activities are organised by the Mistress and enjoyed by 

girls in Years 7, 8 and 9, with all year groups encouraged to 

participate. 

Learning to Drive 

Girls planning to take driving lessons will need parental 

approval in writing before any arrangements can be made. 

The School has a strict policy regarding boarders’ safety. 

Part-time Employment 

Parents of girls in Years 11 and 12 must request approval 

in writing from the Head of Boarding in order to undertake 

a part-time job. Work should not interfere with school 

commitments, and should be confined to daytime hours 

where possible. Parents and girls should ensure transport to 

and from work is safe and practical. 

11 



Medical Care 

SCHOOL CLINIC 

A registered nursing sister staffs the School Clinic on weekdays 

from 8.00 am to 3.30 pm. This service is provided 

primarily for the Boarding School but day-girls also have 

access. 

1. All boarders should be aware that medical attention is 

available to them at any hour of the day or night. 

2. Boarders who are ill are unable to remain in their 

dormitories on a school day and must report to the 

mistress on duty in their house first and then to Sister at 

the Clinic. 

3. If a boarder requires isolation from her dormitory 

for any reason, facilities are available in the Clinic or 

Boarding House for her to remain overnight in the care of 

appropriate staff. 

4. Medical and dental appointments will be made by Sister 

and, whenever possible, appointments will be made after 

school hours. Parents are asked to inform Sister by email 

or phone if making these appointments on behalf of the 

girls. 

5. No medication is to be kept in the student’s possession. 

All prescribed medication for Boarders is to be handed to 

the Mistress on Duty who permits the student to take it 

as prescribed. All S4 drugs (ie prescribed medication 

) will be stored in a locked cupboard. A record sheet is 

maintained for each boarder and each dosage is recorded. 

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 can be responsible for 

coming and taking their medication, though Years 7, 8 

and 9 will be reminded of their prescribed medication to 

ensure they take it. 

All other medications must have a pharmacy label which 

clearly states the student’s name on the medication box, 

the dosage and the name of the prescribing doctor. 

DENTIST 

There are many dentists in the local/city area. Sister will 

make appropriate arrangements for review and follow-up 

service. 

DOCTOR 

The School has a close link with several medical practitioners 

but prefers that girls use the facilities of Dr Susan Byth, 

111 Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill – Phone 3844 1180. Bulk 

billing applies to those with Medicare cards. As an alternative 

to Dr Byth, the Clinic refers to The Mater Hill Medical 

Practice, Taylor Medical Centre, Annerley Rd, Woolloongabba. 

This, however, is NOT A BULK BILLING PRACTICE and 

students will need to pay the consultation fee at the time of 

the consultation. There is an enormous variety of excellent 

medical services in this area. We ask that parents do not 

make appointments with medical or dental practitioners 

away from this area as it imposes real difficulties with both 

time and transport. This is the normal procedure unless 

you have relatives or friends who are prepared to 

undertake this task. 

Girls in Years 11 and 12 may attend medical and dental 

appointments alone, but may ask to be accompanied. 

Students in Years 7 to 10 will be accompanied to 

appointments by a senior student, or, if the appointment is 

during school hours, the mistress on call. Only urgent cases 

are seen in school hours. 

Boarders are asked to report to the Mistress on Duty 

immediately if they feel unwell. We have found that 

sometimes girls telephone their parents but do not bother to 

inform members of staff when they are sick. This has caused 

considerable distress to parents at times and therefore it is 

most important that staff be advised if anyone is ill. 

6. In the instance of serious illness or injury, parents 

are notified by telephone as it may be necessary for 

alternative arrangements to be made until the student is 

well enough to attend classes. 

12 



HOSPITAL 

The close proximity of the Mater Hospital, both Public and 

Private, is of great benefit to the School and parents are 

assured that if hospitalisation is needed, unless requested 

otherwise by parents, this is effected immediately. The 

Mater Private will also bill parents directly. 

After hours medical treatment, if not able to be provided by 

Dr Byth, is also available at the Mater Hospital. Immediate 

treatment for emergency cases is received at the Priority 

Emergency Centre of the Mater Private Hospital. 

Ambulance cover is encouraged for all non Queensland 

residents as even the short trip from the School to the Mater 

Hospital is costly. 

Infectious Diseases 

In the instance of infectious disease, parents will be asked to 

arrange the collection of their daughter/s as soon as possible 

in order to prevent an epidemic. Facilities are available to 

isolate boarders in the short term in such cases. As most 

infectious diseases, such as Chicken Pox and Measles, have 

an infectious period of approximately ten days to two weeks, 

girls normally prefer to go home, if this is possible. There is 

no place like home when a student is not feeling well. 

Sunbathing 

The hazards of sunbathing are well documented. Prolonged 

exposure can be very dangerous and girls are expected to 

wear appropriate clothing, use a suitable protective cream 

and wear a hat when they are going to be in the sun. Please 

ensure you provide cream as girls are often slow to spend 

money on things like this. 

Accounts 

Chemist 

A personal account can be opened at the Taylor Medical 

Centre Pharmacy and at the time of purchase each girl will 

receive a docket showing the amount spent. At the end of 

each month, a statement will be posted to parents and the 

account must then be paid directly to the Chemist. 

Failure to pay promptly will result in the closure of an 

account. Girls should be discouraged from using this 

account for the purchase of soft-drink and sweets. 

Doctor 

Most accounts will be bulk billed. However, if an account 

is issued it will be posted to parents and should be paid 

immediately. 

Banking 

Parents are encouraged to open the account of their choice 

and it is their responsibility to ensure adequate funds are 

deposited regularly for their daughter’s use. The girls have 

access to ATM facilities locally. 

Personal Expenses/Pocket Money 

A girl’s bank account is expected to cover the following 

expenses: 

1. Pocket money. 

2. Social activities/outings, etc. 

3. Other personal school expenses. 

4. Telephone calls home, toiletries, stamps, stationery, and 

the occasional text book. 

The Boarding House does not supervise the spending of 

pocket money unless requested to do so by parents, as girls 

often see this as an invasion of their privacy. Mistresses will, 

however, endeavour to encourage girls in the junior years 

to live within their means. Parents are also encouraged to 

educate their daughters regarding this before they join the 

Boarding House. Please contact the Head of Boarding if you 

wish to discuss this matter further. 

Levies 

A levy of $100 per year is charged to Year 11 and 12 

boarders. This contributes towards the cost of additional 

staff supervision required during exam blocks, when the girls 

do not attend normal classes during the school day, but may 

remain in the Boarding House to study. 

13 



School Shop 

Parents and Friends’ Uniform Shop 

Monday - Friday 

7. 30 am – 2.00 pm 

The Uniform Shop is located in the building adjacent to the 

School’s student set-down loop, at the top of Graham Street 

and can be contacted on (07) 3248 9253. 

The Shop stocks uniforms and school supplies. It is open at 

the following times during term time: 

Purchases can be paid for either by cheque (made payable 

to ‘Somerville House P & F Shop’) or by Visa, MasterCard or 

EFTPOS. Parents may open an account against which their 

daughters can draw using EFTPOS facilities. 

Valuables 

A locked facility is available in each house for boarders to 

lodge their valuable items (passports, jewellery, wallets, 

airline tickets etc). Please encourage your daughter to 

leave her wallet/money with staff for safe keeping. Each girl 

is provided with a wardrobe which has a locking facility. Girls 

are required to meet the cost of a replacement key if the 

original is lost. 

Girls are discouraged from keeping large sums of money in 

their dormitories and are encouraged not to borrow money or 

other items, including clothing, from each other. 

Prohibited Items 

Alcohol, drugs, tobacco, cigarettes, matches and candles are 

not allowed anywhere on campus. 

Any use of prohibited items (alcohol, drugs etc as previously 

listed) is looked upon as an extremely serious breach of 

Boarding House rules and will be dealt with by the Principal 

or Head of Boarding in consultation with the parents. 

Penalties can include: 

1. Confinement to the school grounds for a set period 

(gating) 

2. Suspension 

3. Expulsion 

The School reserves the right to choose whichever penalty is 

appropriate at the time. 

14 



Electrical Appliances 

Hair dryers 

Hair dryers are permitted in the dormitories, but are not to 

be used in the bathrooms. 

Radios, Tape or CD PLAYERS, 

Televisions, etc. 

Girls may watch television at the discretion of the House 

Mistress. In the Common Room areas, girls may have 

one of these on at the one time, and the volume must 

be such that it does not disturb girls throughout the rest 

of the House. 

In dormitories, a girl may listen to a radio, CD or Ipod 

provided it has earphone attachments or is operated on low 

volume. 

No television sets, fans, heaters or electrical 

appliances other than those mentioned above are permitted 

in the Boarding House. All Boarders are provided with 

a School laptop computer for use during their time at 

Somerville House. These computers are primarily for study 

purposes and should not take the place of social times. Girls 

must not use their laptops on beds but should use the desk 

provided instead. Inappropriate use will result in the removal 

of their laptop for a period of time. 

Following Prep, laptops are secured overnight and charged 

on the trolleys provided. Laptop use after “Lights out” is 

strictly prohibited and will result in removal of same. 

Mobile phones must not be used during Prep or after 

lights out. Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 mobiles are collected by 

staff at bedtimes (please note the School mobile phone 

policy). 

Risk of damage or loss to any boarder’s personal belongings 

is a possibility and while the School will endeavour to ensure 

reasonable care is taken, it will not accept responsibility for 

such. Therefore, all parents are advised to take out 

appropriate insurance for all boarders’ items. 

In order to provide a safe environment for all, running is 

strictly prohibited in all Boarding Houses. 

Food should not be eaten in the dormitories or 

bedrooms as this increases the risk of pests. 

15 



Bounds 

Boarders at Somerville House are in the care of the House 

Mistress on Duty (MoD) in each House, who must know 

the whereabouts of all girls 24 hours a day. Boarders must 

never leave the School grounds without the permission of the 

Mistress on Duty in the relevant House. 

DAYTIME 

Boarders are expected to leave Craig Hall and Mavis Holden 

by 7.30 am to go to the main house (Cumbooquepa) for 

breakfast. All girls must leave main house by 8.15 am 

each school day taking with them all requirements (books, 

clothing, sports gear, etc.) for the whole day. If boarders are 

going on an excursion during the day they should take all 

requirements with them in the morning. 

Boarding Houses are out of bounds on school 

days between 8.15 am and 3.10 pm. 

Family, friends and day students are not encouraged to enter 

any of the Boarding Houses without the express permission 

of the Mistress in charge of that House. This ensures your 

daughter’s privacy at all times. 

During class time, boarders should not move beyond the 

area of the School buildings and immediate grounds. 

All girls are able to use the main Olympic pool in the Aquatic 

Centre during the hours it is supervised. 

Boarders must sign out if they leave their own House at any 

time, and should report to the Mistress on Duty on arrival at 

the other House. 

EVENING 

After the evening meal, boarders may not be outside their 

Boarding House without permission. If it is absolutely 

necessary for them to move around the School grounds after 

dark they must travel in groups or with a mistress. 

The kitchen and pantry are out of bounds to boarders 

at all times. 

16 



Leave 

Following is a schedule of Leave allowances available to every boarder at Somerville House. 

LOCATION DAY TIME ALLOWED WEEKLY ALLOWANCE DRESS 

Mater Hill Village Monday – Friday 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm One day per week or as 

approved by MoD 

South Bank 

Monday – Friday 

3.30 pm – 5.00 pm 

Year 12 

Any afternoon each week 

Years 10 and 11 

Two days per week only 

Years 7 to 9 

One day per week only 

Uniform* 

Uniform 

Uniform 

Uniform 

Friday evenings 

Until 7.30 pm 

Year 11 only 

Civvies 

City/Movies/ 

shopping 

Saturday OR Sunday 

4 hours during 

the day 

Years 7 to 12 

Weekly 

Saturday or Sunday 4 hours Years 7, 8 & 9 

Considered on request 

Civvies 

Civvies 

Late night 

shopping/movies 

Parties 

Dinner leave 

Friday OR Saturday 

night 

Friday or Saturday 

nights 

Weeknights 

– with family only 

Fri/Sat nights 

- with parents or host 

families 

Years 10, 11 & 12 

Weekly 

Until 9.30pm Year 12 only Civvies 

4 hours (return before 

bedtime) 

3.30 pm - 7.30 pm 

From afternoon or 

dinnertime until ½ 

hour before bedtime 

Years 11 and 12 only 

Requires written parental 

consent and contact with 

party hosts 

Available Years 7 to 12 

Civvies 

Civvies 

Weekend day leave 

(with parents or host 

families) 

Overnight Leave 

Saturday or Sunday 

Either: Friday OR 

Saturday 

Weekend leave: Years 7 to 9 

Years 10 to 11 

Year 12 

3 per term 

4 per term 

8.00 am – ½ hour 

before bedtime 

3.30 pm Friday to 

noon Saturday OR 

2.00 pm Saturday to 

noon Sunday 

(or equivalent) 

Available Years 7 to 12 

Years 7 to 12 

Upon request from 


5 per term 

A weekend is defined as 3.30 pm Friday or prior to 10 am Saturday to 5 pm Sunday or 7.30 am Monday. 

All weekend and overnight leave granted with written parental and host family consent only. 

Additional weekend or overnight leave only permitted by arrangement with the Head of Boarding. 

* Uniform: Summer – green dress plus summer hat; winter – full winter uniform plus winter hat 

ALL GIRLS MUST RETURN BY 5PM SUNDAY UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED 

Year 7 – accompanied by older girls 

Years 8 & 9 – in groups of three or four 

Years 10 & 11 – in pairs 

Year 12 – may go alone except evenings (pairs) 

Each House Mistress records ALL leave shown on the schedule. 

However, if you prefer that your daughter does not take all the leave available to her, please advise the 

Head of Boarding accordingly. 

Civvies 

Students in Years 10 to 12 have the option to attend three dances per term – please advise the Head of Boarding if you do 

not wish your daughter to participate in these. 

17 



VISITORS LISTS 

Each boarder has a Visitors List on file in the Boarding House 

and parents are advised that girls may visit with, or receive 

visits from, only those people whose names appear on their 

respective lists. Names, addresses and telephone numbers 

are recorded on these lists and any addition, deletion or 

person you do not want your daughter to see must be given 

by parents in writing to the Head of Boarding. Please note, 

a school student may not be named as a host. A copy of the 

Visitors List form is provided on page 26. 

ABSENCE FROM BOARDING HOUSE 

All boarders must sign themselves ‘out’ and ‘in’ any 

time they leave the Boarding House. 

(a) White forms for internal and weekday leave 

(gymnasium, library, School grounds, another Boarding 

House, medical/dental appointment, escort duty, Music 

School etc.). 

(b) Pink forms for all other weekend leave, or any leave 

taken overnight. 

TAXIS 

In special cases, permission may be given for a boarder 

to travel to a host family by taxi. The host is asked to 

telephone the House Mistress upon the girl’s arrival, and also 

when she is put into a taxi to return to the Boarding House. 

No boarder is permitted to ride in a car driven by 

another student. 

DAY SCHOOL LEAVE 

The Head of Boarding does not have authority to grant 

boarders leave from the Day School. This may be approved 

only by the Principal and any request for such leave should 

be submitted in writing as required. 

Weekday leave during school hours is not encouraged. 

Medical/Dental appointments and banking leave are 

permitted only after school hours. Emergencies will be 

considered on merit. 

Girls must return in time for dinner. 

LEAVE LETTERS 

When girls are staying out overnight with parents or visiting 

host families, parents MUST provide this information in 

writing. In addition to this, it will also be necessary for the 

host family to advise in writing, by phone or email that they 

are expecting the girl. This applies to overnight leave and 

weekend leave. 

The Head of Boarding must receive Weekend Leave 

emails from host families and parents by 3.00 pm on 

Thursday night. Faxes may be sent by this time to fax 

number (07) 3846 1451 or emailed to the addresses 

mentioned earlier. 

Obviously there will always be special circumstances 

when leave is requested at short notice. Such 

requests should be directed to the Head of Boarding. 

We recognise that if parents come from long distances to 

do business in Brisbane they should be able to see their 

daughters over and above regular leave. 

Dinner leave during the week, unless taken with parents, is 

not encouraged but will be considered on merit. Prep must 

take priority. 

The girls are required to have their weekend leave slips 

completed on Wednesday night for catering purposes. 

They are submitted to the Head of Boarding on Thursday 

morning for approval. Parents are asked to please support 

our endeavours by encouraging the girls to plan ahead. 

Leave will not be granted if a girl’s behaviour has been 

unacceptable or if the Head of Boarding considers that leave 

would be unwise due to particular circumstances. 

CLOSED WEEKEND 

The only Closed Weekend will be the last weekend of 

Term 4. Boarders will not be able to take full weekend leave 

on this weekend but may be allowed short-term leave at the 

discretion of the Head of Boarding. 

Parents should also be aware there are certain School 

activities which are compulsory for boarders. These activities 

include special events planned for the first weekend of the 

school year, the Boarders’ day trip on the first Saturday of 

Term 1; the first Saturday of Term 4; and Speech Night. The 

dates for these are listed in the School Calendar and Family 

Handbook and posted to each boarder parent. 

VISITORS 

Visitors other than immediate family are welcome. Visitors 

should enter and leave by the front entrance. Girls must 

take their visitor to the Mistress on Duty, introduce them and 

arrange for them to sign the visitors’ book. Girls must then 

report to the Mistress on Duty when the visitor is leaving. 

Girls may not take visitors into dormitories unless approved 

by the Mistress on Duty. Male visitors are welcome but 

should remain in areas visible to the Mistress on Duty. In 

each of the Mavis Holden Centre and Craig Hall, a room is 

provided at the entry area for family members to spend time 

with students. Family members (including mothers) may 

not have access to students’ rooms, except for the first and 

last days of term. This rule is to protect the privacy of all 

students. 

18 



Vacation and Travel Arrangements 

The Boarding House is closed during school vacations. The 

General Office and Accounts is open all year excluding the 

period between Christmas and New Year. 

The following policy has been established in relation to end of 

term travel for Boarders: 

Boarding students whose travel arrangements do not 

conform to the normal end of the school term are entitled 

to leave the Boarding School from the evening of the 

day prior to the end of term. In most cases this will be 

Thursday evening prior to a Friday close. However, this will 

be different at Easter each year. In effect, students whose 

travel arrangements are such that this special consideration 

must be given will be eligible to leave from the end of school 

on the day prior to the end of term. 

This policy is for students travelling long distances – 

not for those flying one to two hours. 

It is hoped that this policy will facilitate arrangements for 

girls whose flights leave on Friday morning or who must 

catch buses prior to 3.30 pm on the last day of term. It is 

expected that boarders will remain in residence until the time 

necessary for departure. For example, if a bus leaves at 

2.00 pm on Friday, it is required that the student be at school 

on the morning of the last day, departing at lunch-time in 

order to catch the bus. If a flight leaves on Friday morning, 

the student will be in residence on Thursday evening, 

departing for the airport on Friday morning. 

In addition, it should not be necessary for the School to 

provide any ‘sleep over’ facilities on the evening of the last 

day of term. This arrangement was necessary only when 

girls were unable to travel on the Friday and thus needed 

to wait until the Saturday. Should there be a genuine case 

where the student cannot leave until the Saturday, this would 

be seen as a special case and provision would be made. In 

the normal course of events, it is expected that parents will 

make arrangements for their daughter to be accommodated 

with friends or relatives in order that the travel can be taken 

at a later time should this be required. 

Boarders travelling to and from school by train, bus and 

airline at the beginning and end of every term must wear 

their full school uniform. The only exceptions are for 

those boarders who will be required to travel overnight (or in 

excess of five hours) and under these circumstances the girls 

are allowed to wear neat casual clothing. Boarders travelling 

to warmer climates at the end of Term 2 are allowed to wear 

their summer uniforms. 

Past experience shows the girls are much safer in 

their school uniform – easily recognised and able to 

be located when necessary. 

This policy carries with it the understanding that no 

permission will be given for any earlier departure times. 

This will be an absolute and unbending rule. 

19 



Security 

The Girls 

The Boarding House staff must know where every girl is 

at all times. It is the girls’ responsibility to see that their 

movements are recorded with the Mistress on Duty and on 

the leave sheet before they leave the premises. 

The Buildings 

The Boarding Houses are wired with an automatic security 

system which is activated after hours if a door is opened. 

Safety regulations require the fitting of smoke detectors. If 

these are activated by excessive steam, burnt toast or even 

a real fire, the whole building must be evacuated and girls 

may return inside only when the all-clear has been given by 

the Mistress on Duty. 

Fire drills are held to ensure that all girls know the correct 

procedure. 

If one girl’s careless actions result in a Fire Brigade 

attendance, the resultant fee will be charged to the parents’ 

account. 

Belongings 

The Boarding House operates on a system of trust but from 

time to time there are problems with missing belongings. 

It should be noted that often belongings reported missing 

have been misplaced or left about rather carelessly. To 

minimise the risk of loss of belongings the following should 

be observed: 

● Any monies greater than ten dollars should be 

handed to the Mistress for safe-keeping. As a 

general rule, valuable jewellery should not be 

brought to the Boarding House. If brought for a 

special occasion it should be handed to staff for 

safe keeping. 

● All belongings should be clearly and permanently 

named as soon as purchased. 

Insurance 

Parents are advised to have an insurance policy which 

covers loss of their family’s belongings anywhere in 

private or public areas or during the course of travel. 

Hourly security checks of all buildings are made during the 

night by the security guard with his attack-trained dogs. 

20 



Executive Positions 

Executive positions in the Boarding House provide an 

excellent opportunity for the girls to develop their 

leadership skills. 

CO-CAPTAINS 

Voting by all girls from Years 7-11 takes place in midfourth 

term. The new Captains commence duties upon the 

departure of the Year 12 students. They are of real support 

to the Head of Boarding and provide excellent role models for 

the younger girls. To be given the privilege of representing 

the Boarding House is an honour. These girls have regular 

meetings with the Head of Boarding Staff and the Boarding 

House Student Body and share responsibility for some 

activities and fundraising in the Boarding House. All girls are 

given maximum support and encouragement to seek these 

roles and to perform their tasks in a professional manner. 

BIG SISTER/BUDDY PROGRAM 

All new boarders are assigned a ‘big sister’ (Year 11 

boarder). These girls provide a shoulder to lean on and are 

just what the term implies – a big sister. New boarders can 

look forward to hearing from their ‘buddy’ in the last term of 

the year prior to entry. 

8. Chapel 

Bullying Policy 

The School has developed an anti-bullying policy. This 

policy is strictly adhered to in the Boarding House. In the 

Boarding House bullying will not be tolerated. It is totally 

unacceptable and immediate action will be taken to ensure 

it does not continue. All girls are taught what bullying is in 

their early days at Somerville. Any girls who think this may 

be occurring must report this matter immediately. Early 

action is absolutely necessary. Girls are often frightened to 

say anything as they think it will get worse. This attitude 

is also unacceptable in our Boarding House and so parental 

support is often needed to ensure staff members are aware 

of this problem. Bullying should be reported to the Head of 

Boarding or the Dean of Students. Somerville House also 

has a Child Protection Policy – see Appendix A. 

21 



Appendix A – Child Protection Policy 

9.9 CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 

Somerville House is aware of its duty of care and 

responsibility for the welfare and well-being of the students 

of its school, and recognises the need to protect children 

from Abuse by members of the school and wider community. 

This policy will be made available to students and parents 

of Somerville House via the school website, student diary, 

and the parent manuals, including that for boarders, and by 

display on at least one noticeboard at each school, always. 

The attention of parents and students will be drawn to the 

Policy at least twice a year via the School newsletter. The 

Principal will ensure that a copy of this Policy is always 

available from the administration of the School. The policy 

will be directed to the attention of all staff through the staff 

handbook, and in particular, on the first Staff Professional 

Development Day of each school year and to all new staff 

at the time of appointment. Both teaching and non-teaching 

staff will be provided with appropriate training on child 

protection issues on an annual basis. 

The purpose of this policy is to provide written processes 

about the appropriate conduct of school staff and students 

that accord with legislation in Queensland about the care and 

protection of children. 

This policy applies to all staff and students at Somerville 

House. It covers information about the reporting of physical, 

emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, inappropriate 

behaviour and self harm. 

Relevant Legislation: 

Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 

2000 (Qld) 

Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian 

Regulation 2001 (Qld) 

Education (General Provisions Act) 2006 (Qld) 

Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 (Qld) 

Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2001 (Qld) 

Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Regulation 2001 (Qld) 

Education (Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005 (Qld) 

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 (Cth) 

Education (Overseas Students) Act 1996 (Qld) 

Public Health Act 2005 (Qld) 

Principles 

Somerville House will uphold the following principles under 

this policy. 

1. Staff of Somerville House are expected to reflect the 

highest standards of care in their behaviour towards and 

relationships with students. 

2. Members of the Somerville House community must 

not, under any circumstances, Abuse a student of the 

school. 

3. Because of the authority that exists between a staff 

member and a student, a student cannot “consent” to 

Abuse. 

4. Failure to behave in an appropriate manner may result 

in criminal proceedings and/or disciplinary action, 

including dismissal for staff and expulsion for students. 

5. Protecting students from harm and the risk of harm is 

fundamental to maximising their personal and academic 

potential. 

6. Employees of Somerville House must not, under any 

circumstances, engage in physical or emotional abuse 

or engage in sexual conduct of any nature with a student 

of Somerville House. It is irrelevant whether the conduct 

is consensual or non-consensual, or condoned by parents 

or caregivers. The age of the student is also irrelevant. 

7. Somerville House recognises that people who are 

subjected to Abuse are harmed by it. 

8. At Somerville House the welfare and best interests of the 

child will always be a primary consideration. 

9. Somerville House expects its students to show respect 

to its staff and volunteers and to comply with safe 

practices. 

10. Somerville House will respond diligently to a report of 

suspected or actual harm, or risk of harm to a student. 

11. Somerville House will not tolerate reprisals against 

students or others making a complaint. 

12. At Somerville House, student management practices 

will be administered with respect and in a manner which 

maintains the student’s dignity. 

13. Somerville House will act fairly and reasonably towards 

an employee or volunteer who is the subject of 

allegations of improper conduct. 

14. Somerville House will support an employee or volunteer 

who is the subject of a proven false allegation of causing 

harm to a student. 

15. Somerville House will take disciplinary action against 

employees who harm others, and appropriate action 

against volunteers who harm others. 

16. Somerville House will not permit people to work in a 

position if the School believes on the basis of all 

information available that, if the allegations against them 

were wholly or partly true, there would be an 

unacceptable risk that others might be harmed. 

17. Somerville House will co-operate with state authorities 

in resolving allegations of harm. 

18. A defence of absolute privilege is available for publishing 

information contained in a report about Sexual Abuse 

given under the obligations of the Education and other 

Legislation (Student Protection) Amendment Act 2003 

(“Student Protection Act”). 

19. Persons receiving information about Abuse or suspected 

Abuse should explain to the informant that the 

information supplied will be: 

22 



• confidential, to the extent that this is possible given 

the need to investigate allegations and requirements 

of the law; and 

• victimisation of the informant will not be tolerated. 

Guidelines 

In complying with these principles, Somerville House will be 

guided by the following: 

Risk Management 

For the protection of both staff and students, no staff 

member, except the Principal, is permitted to be alone with 

a student in a room with the door closed, unless both the 

staff member and the student are clearly visible from the 

outside, e.g. by means of a pane of glass. For the purposes 

of this requirement, any room so utilised must be subject to 

regular observation by other persons for the duration of the 

interaction. 

Natural Justice 

The principles of Natural Justice will apply to decisions to be 

made under this Policy. The two fundamental principles of 

Natural Justice are: 

• that those making a decision are not biased; 

• that nobody should be condemned unless they are 

given prior notice of the allegations against them and 

they have a fair opportunity of being heard. 

Confidentiality 

Each person who has access to information regarding 

suspected or disclosed harm has an obligation to observe 

appropriate confidentiality. Somerville House is unable to 

promise absolute confidentiality since its polices will require 

disclosing, internally and externally, certain details involved 

in responding to any complaint. State authorities can compel 

people to give evidence about actions under the Policy and to 

produce documents. 

Defamation 

A person providing information about harm in good faith to 

a person who needs to know that information is generally 

excused from liability for defamation. 

Promptness 

All steps under this Policy should be carried out promptly. 

The School will keep the victim and the alleged perpetrator 

informed of progress. 

Public Relations 

The Principal will ensure that the School is able to react 

quickly to allegations of harm so that accurate and relevant 

information is available for staff members, students and their 

families and/or the media. 

Police Action 

It will usually be necessary to wait until the police have 

decided whether to charge the respondent before taking any 

internal disciplinary proceedings. If the police do charge the 

respondent, it will be necessary to wait until the charges 

have been dealt with in the courts before commencing 

internal enquiries or disciplinary proceedings. This does 

not preclude the Principal from seeking advice from police 

regarding the duty of care to existing students which may 

involve the standing down of a staff member during an 

investigation. The police are not required to inform the 

School about their investigation. Some of their material may 

be acquired under a Freedom of Information request when 

their work on the case is finished. 

Insurer 

Somerville House will keep its insurer informed about 

developments. 

Review 

The Chairman of the Abuse Reference Committee will ensure 

that this Policy is reviewed at least once every two years. 

The Role of the Principal 

The Principal should not, under any circumstances, caution 

the alleged victim as to the possible consequences of 

reporting Abuse (e.g. possible break-up of the family unit), 

especially if the alleged abuser is a family member. 

1. On receipt of a report of Abuse other than the suspected 

Sexual Abuse of a student by an employee referred to 

in paragraph 3, the Principal of the school will carry out 

a preliminary assessment to determine whether the 

Principal reasonably suspects the Abuse has occurred. 

2. There will be two representatives of the School present 

at interviews, where practical. In cases of allegations 

of serious harm, it is best not to interview a student who 

is a child unless a properly qualified person conducts the 

interview. 

3. If the Principal receives a written report from a staff 

member about Sexual Abuse or suspected Sexual 

Abuse by an employee of the school of a student under 

18 years attending the school, the Principal will 

immediately provide a copy of the report to the police. 

The Principal must, upon becoming aware of all 

allegations of paedophilia, immediately refer them in 

writing to the police, including those from the past, 

except where the alleged perpetrator is deceased. 

4. The Principal will support the child by: 

• offering pastoral support; 

• offering to arrange professional counselling, if 

circumstances warrant it, even if any allegation is not 

yet proved or disproved; 

• treating the child with respect and dignity; 

• being sensitive to the child’s needs, feelings and 

concerns; and 

• maintaining confidentiality, to the degree possible in 

the circumstances. 

5. The Principal will contact the child’s parents, inform 

them of the allegations and explain how the Principal 

intends to proceed, except where the suspected harm 

is from people outside the school, in which event the 

responsibility for informing parents/caregivers rests 

with the investigating child protection agency official. 

6. The Principal will inform the respondent of the 

allegations and: 

• if the respondent is a member of the school 

community, offer pastoral support; 

• treat the respondent with respect and dignity; 

• arrange for professional counselling if it is requested 

until the matter has been resolved. 

23 



7. The Principal will stand down any member of staff if 

there is unacceptable risk in leaving the member of 

staff in their position. 8. The Principal will suspend the 

enrolment of any student if there is an unacceptable risk 

in permitting the student to attend the school. 

9. When a police prosecution relating to the information is 

completed or if there is no police prosecution, the 

Principal will investigate the information to determine 

whether: 

• redress should be offered to the child; 

• disciplinary action should be taken. 

The Principal, with the advice of the PMSA Abuse 

Reference Committee Chairman, may involve 

independent professionals in the investigation. 

10. If the Principal believes redress should be offered, 

the Principal will refer that issue to the Abuse Reference 

Committee for consideration under the PMSA Abuse 

Policy. 

11. If the Principal believes disciplinary action should be 

taken against the respondent, the Principal will initiate 

that action and ensure the principles of Natural Justice 

are observed. 

12. If a registered teacher is the respondent, the Principal 

of the school concerned will notify the Queensland 

College of Teachers if required by the Education 

(Queensland College of Teachers) Act 2005. 

13. The Principal will ensure that the following are 

undertaken in order to reduce the chance of Abuse 

occurring: 

• Ensure that each staff member understands and 

fulfils their obligations under this Policy; 

• Ensure that there is an acceptable reference for each 

staff member engaged since the commencement of 

this protocol, from their previous employer; 

• Ensure that each non-teaching staff member and 

volunteer who has contact with children has a current 

positive prescribed notice issued by the Commissioner 

for Children and Young People and Child Guardian; 

• Ensure that each teaching staff member is a 

Registered Teacher. 

Dealing with Allegations of Harm 

Suspicion of harm 

“Reasonable grounds” for suspecting harm exist if:- 

• A child or young person reports they have been 

harmed 

• Someone else, for example another child, a parent, 

or staff member, reports that harm has occurred or is 

likely to occur 

• A child or young person reports that they know of 

someone who has been harmed (it is possible they 

may be referring to themselves) 

• Significant changes in the behaviour of a child or 

young person, or the presence of new unexplained 

and suspicious injuries are a concern 

• The harm is observed happening 

Any disclosure of harm is important and must be acted upon, 

regardless of whether: 

• The harm to a child or young person has been 

caused by a person from within or outside Somerville 

House, or 

• The child or young person disclosing the harm is from 

within or outside Somerville House. 

It is crucial to have procedures in place so any disclosure 

from an adult, child or young person is dealt with efficiently 

and effectively. 

When a disclosure is made 

No investigation of allegations of harm should be undertaken 

by the School. Only enough questions as to confirm the need 

to report the matter to the Queensland Police Service or 

the Department of Child Safety should be asked. The safety 

of the child or young person is paramount. Unnecessary 

questions or interviews could cause distress, confusion and 

interfere with any subsequent investigation undertaken by 

the authorities. 

In the first instance reports of suspected child abuse should 

be made to the Department of Child Safety which is staffed 

by professionally-trained child protection personnel who are 

skilled in dealing with suspected child abuse reports. 

To discuss or report an incident involving a child or young 

person to the Queensland Police Service contact can be 

made with the local Child Protection and Investigation Unit 

(formally Juvenile Aid Bureau) through the nearest Police 

District Communication Centre. 

Somerville House should not: 

• Conduct its own investigation to substantiate claims 

• Hold its own internal hearing, or 

• Attempt to mediate a settlement of the matter 

instead of notifying relevant authorities. 

Investigations conducted by the School could lead to: 

• The destruction of evidence by an accused person 

• Intimidation of the person disclosing the information, 

or 

• Intimidation of the child or young person being 

harmed (if the disclosure was made by someone 

else). 

N.B. When a report is made to the Department of Child 

Safety or the Queensland Police Service, reporting details are 

kept confidential and the identity of the reporter is strictly 

protected. 

Procedures For Reporting Abuse/Harm 

(a) A student who becomes aware or reasonably 

suspects that harm has been caused by anyone to a 

student of the school who was under 18 at the 

time should report it to any staff member. 

(Accreditation Regulation S.10) 

(b) A staff member who becomes aware or reasonably 

suspects that harm has been caused by anyone to a 

student of the school who was under 18 at the time 

should report it to the Principal or Deputy Principal, and 

keep a written record of the actions taken. (Accreditation 

Regulation S.10) 

24 



Note: Under s 191 of the Public Health Act 2005, doctors and 

registered nurses, including school nurses, have an obligation 

to give notice of harm or likely harm immediately to the Chief 

Executive, Department of Child Safety, if: 

(i) they become aware, or reasonably suspect, during the 

practice of their profession, that a child has been, is 

being, or is likely to be, harmed; and 

(ii) as far as they are aware, no other doctor or nurse has 

notified the Chief Executive under the section about the 

harm or likely harm. 

This immediate notice can be given orally, by fax, by e-mail 

or by similar means and must then be followed up with 

written notice within seven days. The notice must include: 

• the child’s name 

• the child’s date of birth 

• the place or places where the child lives; 

• the names of the child’s parents 

• the place or places where the parents live or may be 

contacted; 

• details of the harm or likely harm of which the 

professional is aware or that the doctor or nurse 

suspects; and 

• the doctor or nurse’s name, address and telephone 

number. 

The doctor or nurse may seek further information about 

harm or likely harm to a child before forming a reasonable 

suspicion about the matter, for example, by consulting with a 

colleague. 

The school may request medical staff employed by the school 

to provide to the school information about abuse obtained in 

the course of their work as an employee. 

A person who becomes aware of the identity of a person who 

has notified authorities about harm must not disclose the 

identity of that person except in the circumstances set out in 

s 186(2) of the Child Protection Act 1999. 

(c) The Principal or Deputy Principal, upon receiving a report 

of harm or suspected harm to a student of the school 

and upon becoming aware of the harm having been 

caused or reasonably suspecting the harm to have been 

caused, should report it to the police or the Department 

of Child Safety, and keep a written record of the actions 

taken. (Accreditation Regulation S.10) 

(d) A student who wishes to report behaviour by a staff 

member considered by that student to be inappropriate, 

should report the behaviour to the Principal, Deputy 

Principal, student counsellor, or Head of Sub-School. 


(e) The Principal, Deputy Principal, student counsellor or 

Head of Sub-School, upon receiving a report by a 

student of inappropriate behaviour of a staff member, 

should interview the student, the staff member named in 

the report and any other person who may be able to 

provide useful information. A Deputy Principal, student 

counsellor or Head of Sub-School should report the 

findings to the Principal with a recommendation for 

action to be taken. (Accreditation Regulation S.10) 

The Principal should take action on the basis of the report. 


(f) 

A staff member who becomes aware or who reasonably 

suspects that an employee of the school has Sexually 

Abused a student of the school who was under 18 at 

the time, should immediately give a written report 

about the Abuse to the Principal of the school or a 

member of the governing body of the school, that is to 

say, either the Chairman of the Abuse Reference 

Committee, or any other member of the PMSA Council. 

The report must contain the information set out in (h) 

below. [Education (General Provisions) Act S.146 B] 

(g) The Principal, the Chairman of the Abuse Reference 

Committee or any other member of the PMSA Council, 

upon receiving a report from a staff member who is 

aware or reasonably suspects that an employee of the 

school has Sexually Abused a student of the school who 

was under 18 at the time, should immediately give a 

copy of the report to a police officer. The report must 

contain the information set out in (h) below. [Education 

(General Provisions) Act S.146 B] 

(h) The written report must include the following particulars: 

• the name of the person giving the report (the “first 

person”); 

• the student’s name and sex; 

• details of the basis for the first person becoming 

aware, or reasonably suspecting, that the student 

has been Sexually Abused by an employee of the 

school; 

• details of the Abuse or suspected Abuse; 

• any of the following information of which the first 

person is aware - 

(i) the student’s age; 

(ii) the identity of the employee who has Abused, or 

is suspected to have Abused, the student; 

(iii) the identity of anyone else who may have 

information about the Abuse or suspected 

Abuse. 

(i) The Principal must keep the appropriate insurer informed 

of any report or claim that is advised to the Principal. 

Overseas Students 

The Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs has 

established a National Code of Conduct for Registration 

Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to 

Overseas Students (The National Code) under the federal 

Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 

2000. Education providers approving care arrangements for 

students less than 18-years-old must: 

(a) give the Department of Immigration and Multicultural 

and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) a signed statement 

confirming that appropriate arrangements have been 

made for the student’s accommodation, support and 

general welfare during their stay in Australia until they 

turn 18, and 

(b) notify the department in writing of any changes to the 

care arrangements. Additionally, students are required 

25 



to obtain their education provider’s approval to change 

these arrangements if they wish to do so after their 

arrival in Australia. 

(c) Education providers must ensure that the carers they 

approve are: 

o at least 21 years old, 

o are of good character, and 

o have permission to reside in Australia until the 

student turns 18 or their visa expires. 

Note: older siblings aged less than 21 years old are generally 

not considered to be appropriate carers. 

(d) Where students are in homestay, the education provider 

must ensure that: 

i. the homestay providers both in business or as 

volunteers (including parents of the school, but 

excluding those who are relatives of the child staying 

with them), have positive notices (blue cards); 

ii. paid employees of a homestay provider hold a blue 

card if they meet a ‘regular contact’ provision; 

iii. adults other than the designated homestay provider, 

who reside permanently with the homestay provider, 

hold a blue card. 

Note that there is a frequency test for volunteer homestay 

or billeting parents which allows a person to provide 

homestay and/or billeting for ten or less days in a year 

without requiring a blue card, provided that the service is not 

provided on more than two occasions in one year. 

Regular contact provision applies to paid employees who 

work: 

o Eight consecutive days; or 

o once a week, each week, over four weeks; or 

o once a fortnight, each fortnight, over eight weeks; or 

o once a month, each month, over six months. 

(e) Where students are in boarding accommodation, the 

education provider must ensure that: 

boarding staff who are not registered teachers carrying 

out their duty as part of their role as registered teachers 

of the school, have blue cards. 

(f) 

It is a legislated requirement that homestay providers 

operating as regulated businesses have a Risk 

Management Strategy (refer to the ISQ Homestay Risk 

Management Strategy) if they are accommodating 

children under 18 years of age. 

(g) In addition, Queensland state legislation requires that 

Education Providers must have a policy for homestay 

which: 

i. provides a contract about making homestay 

arrangements, and includes guidelines for selecting 

homestay families to ensure they provide suitable 

accommodation; and 

ii. ensures a stable environment for the duration of the 

student’s education course; and 

iii. addresses duty of care issues outside of school hours 

Harm Not Covered By Specific Legislation 

Bullying and Harassment 

In most cases, harm of this nature is not required to be 

reported to external authorities, unless it involves criminal 

behaviour or is harm under the definitions supplied in 

this policy. The Child Protection Policy should be read in 

conjunction with the Anti-bullying and Sexual Harassment 

policies of Somerville House. 

Self-harm 

Self-harm may occur with or without suicidal intent; or may 

be symptomatic of, or associated with, a known medical 

condition or intellectual disability. 

Self-harm with suicidal intent 

Common risk factors include: 

• previous attempts at suicide (most powerful risk 

predictor); 

• depression; 

• drugs and alcohol abuse; 

• conduct disorder; 

• disruptive and unsupportive family background; 

• relationship conflicts; 

• poor coping skills; 

• psychiatric illnesses; 

• ready availability of lethal means to commit suicide; 

• copycat behaviour after an incident of self-harm by 

another person. 

Other risk factors include: 

• recent bereavement; 

• chronic physical illness; 

• anniversary phenomenon (of past losses or major life 

events); 

• early loss experiences; 

• school failure; 

• perfectionism and overachievement as a result of 

students having high expectations of themselves. 

Threats of self-harm by a student should be taken seriously 

and reported to the school counsellor and Principal 

immediately. 

An employee who becomes aware of, or suspects that a 

student is experiencing significant psychological distress, 

should consult the school counsellor, or school based 

nurse (where applicable) for further advice and report the 

information to the Principal. 

In the case of an acutely distressed student, the immediate 

safety of the child is paramount. An employee should ensure 

the immediate safety of the student, arrange for an adult to 

be with the student at all times and then report concerns to 

the Principal and the school counsellor. Employees should 

note, that while it is important to support a student, they 

should be careful not to substitute support for professional 

help. 

26 



Following a report, the school counsellor should meet with 

the distressed student, on the day of the report, to conduct 

an initial assessment and determine an appropriate course 

of action. In cases of serious concern, the Principal, or 

counsellor under the direction of the Principal, should notify 

the student’s parents and make arrangements for access to 

professional assistance. 

Self-harm without suicidal intent 

Not all cases of self-harm relate to suicidal intent. Students 

may engage in a variety of high risk behaviours, such as 

alcohol/substance abuse; drug-taking; unsafe promiscuity; 

cutting/burning oneself. 

All school employees are expected to act to prevent all high 

risk behaviours occurring within the school, and support any 

other interventions undertaken to reduce the risk of such 

behaviours occurring outside the school. 

Employees who are aware that a student is engaging in, or 

is at risk of engaging in, high risk activities should consult 

with the school counsellor for further advice and report their 

concerns to the Principal. 

Following a report, the Principal should consult with a student 

counsellor to determine what course of action should occur. 

Possible actions include: 

• contacting parents 

• arranging professional assistance 

• consulting with the local office of the Department of 

Child Safety 

• contacting the police, where appropriate. 

Definitions 

“Abuse”/“Harm” means activity or deliberate or careless 

inactivity which causes significant harm, that is to say, 

any detrimental effect of a significant nature on a person’s 

physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. It is 

immaterial how the harm is caused. The harm can be caused 

by: 

• physical, psychological or emotional Abuse or neglect 

• sexual Abuse or exploitation. 

“Abuse Reference Committee” is a committee established 

by PMSA to deal with Abuse matters. 

“Chairman” includes a person acting as Chairman. 

“Child” means a person under 18 years of age. 

“Pastoral Care” is emotional support from a person who 

does not necessarily hold academic qualification required for 

professional counselling. 

“PMSA” is The Presbyterian and Methodist Schools 

Association. 

“Sexual Abuse” means any actions with a child for the 

sexual gratification of the perpetrator. 

“Staff’ includes employees (for example teachers, 

administration people and grounds staff) and volunteers (for 

example sports coaches). 

“Student” means any person regardless of age who is 

enrolled at Somerville House. 

Self-harm as a symptom of a medical condition or 

intellectual disability 

Where it is known that a student has a propensity to engage 

in self harm that is symptomatic or associated with a 

known medical condition or intellectual disability, the school 

Principal, in cooperation with other qualified school staff and 

external treating professionals (where applicable) should 

devise an individual program of management to prevent or 

reduce the likelihood of the student engaging in self-harm at 

school. 

The program should complement any other management 

procedures adopted outside the school setting to address the 

self harm behaviour. 

The program of management should be monitored on an ongoing 

basis and modified as appropriate to maximise socially 

adaptive behaviour. 

27 



Appendix B - Forms 

Somerville House Boarder’s Visitors List 

1. This list provides details for those persons (relatives, family friends etc) whom the parents/guardians of a boarder permit 

their daughter to visit with on leave (day, evening, overnight). Written notification is still to be provided for all overnight 

leave. 

2. Please note that another student may not be placed on the visitors list – the host must be their parents/guardians. 

3. All additions or deletions must be advised in writing by the boarder’s parents or guardians. 

NAME 

RELATIONSHIP TO 

BOARDER 

ADDRESS 

CONTACT NUMBERS 

Signature of Parent / Guardian 

Date / / 

28 



BOARDER MEDICATION CONSENT FORM 

NAME 

YEAR 

I 

give permission for boarding staff 

to provide on request any one of the following medications to my daughter if her condition warrants it: 

Aleve 20 tablets 

Band Aid 

Betadine 

Calamine lotion 

Difflam 

Duro-tuss 

Emetrol 

(period pain) 

(antiseptic) 

(skin irritation) 

(gargle) 

(cough mixture) 

(nausea and vomiting) 

Stingose 

Strepsils 

Sunscreen 

Vaseline 

Ventolin 

Vicks or herbal vapour gel 

stings / insect bites) 

(insect bites) 

(sore throat) 

(prevention of sun burn) 

(chapped lips) 

(asthma) 

(inhalation chest rub 

for colds) 

Mylanta 

(upset stomach) 

Vosol 

(swimmer’s ear) 

Panadol tablets 

(pain relief) 

Soov 

(pain and itch relief for 

Parent / Guardian signature of consent 

/ / 

29 



30 



Conditions and Responsibilities 

of Hosting a Somerville House Boarder 

Date of lodgement. / / 

Thank you for extending your hospitality to one of our 

girls. It is important that you as the host family are familiar 

with the leave conditions and therefore the School asks 

that you read the following guidelines before signing in the 

appropriate place. 

Leave available: 

1. Dinner Leave is available only to parents of girls or for 

special occasions at the discretion of the Head of Boarding. 

2. Day Leave on Saturday is permitted from 9 am until 

9.30 pm. 

3. Day Leave on Sunday is permitted from 9 am until 5 pm. 

4. Overnight Leave is permitted on the weekend with usual 

return times. 

5. Weekend Leave is available from Friday afternoon until 

5 pm Sunday . 

The safety and welfare of our girls is our primary concern 

and it is for this reason that all hosts should be aware of their 

duty of care when hosting a boarder on leave. Please note 

the following: 

1. You acknowledge that you have responsibility for the 

welfare of the girl you host. 

2. Girls must not spend the night anywhere else, other than 

with you, the approved host. We expect you to know 

where and with whom the student is with during the term 

of their leave. 

3. Accurate times of the girl leaving and returning to and 

from the boarding house must be given by the host as part 

of the boarder’s application for leave or a telephone call 

by the host must be made to the appropriate Mistress on 

Duty should any variation occur. 

Emergency contact numbers and staff are listed below: 

Mavis Holden 3248 9244 

(Years 7, 9 and 9) 

Craig Hall 3248 9248 

(Years 10 and 11) 

Cumbooquepa (Main) 3248 9205 or 3248 9292 

(Year 12) 


Mrs Alayne McDougall 

3248 9214 (W) 

3392 1630 (H) 

0402 045 283 (M) 

In the event you are unable to contact the Boarding 

House please remember that all staff and girls are in 

the dining room at meal times. Lunch is from 12.30 pm 

– 1.30 pm and dinner from 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm. 

Leave will be approved only after the Host has contacted the 

Head of Boarding by fax, letter or email, (telephone contact 

should only be used in an emergency) and the parents have 

also been notified and have approved the leave in writing. 

This must be done by Thursday prior to the Weekend Leave 

as all parties must be fully informed. 

We would expect that the Host, after consulting the Boarder’s 

parents, would provide suitable transport for the girl in their 

care at all times during the leave period. If travelling in a 

private vehicle it is the parents’ responsibility in conjunction 

with the Host, to ensure that the driver is a responsible 

adult. 

Boarders are not permitted to travel in cars driven by 

other students. 

Boarder Host acknowledgement for: 

(Student’s Name and Year Level) 

Name of Host parent/guardian/s: 

Home Address: 

Phone Numbers: 

Arrival Date: Arrival Time: Transport: 

Departure Date: Departure Time: Transport: 

ACCEPTANCE OF CONDITIONS 

I, have read and 

acknowledge my ‘duty of care’ for the student 

(boarder) 

whom I have on Leave. I understand the conditions and responsibilities and agree to abide by these guidelines 

at all times. 

Host Signature 

Date / / 

31 



32 



Somerville House Boarding Routine 

Activity Consent Form 

STUDENT NAME 

YEAR LEVEL 

Activities: as per scheduled leave allowances in Boarder Handbook or any that may be arranged throughout the year. 

eg. Boarders’ socials, cinema trips, ice-skating, ten pin bowling, supporting sporting girls off-campus, outside 

school dances, beach trips, theme parks, recreational and environmental pursuits, health and fitness pursuits. 

Please return this consent form to the Head of Boarding (Alayne McDougall) by:……………………………… 

Failure to return it will result in the student being refused permission to participate in the activities. 

Consent Form 


Somerville House 

South Brisbane 

I, being a parent/guardian 

of 

(student’s name) 

1. Consent to her participation in routine activities as 

per leave allowance schedule (see page 14 Boarders’ 

Handbook and above) under the care and supervision 

of members of the Boarding Staff and/or other persons 

authorised by the School. 

2. Have granted/refused* our/my daughter permission to 

participate in swimming/aquatic activities. 

3. Acknowledge that while the School’s policy is one of 

relaxed control, the rules of the School, with which 

we are familiar, apply at all times, and that any breach of 

those rules by our daughter, or lack of cooperation with 

supervisors or fellow students on the part of our daughter, 

may result in her early return from the activity at our 

expense. I further understand that she is expected to 

adhere strictly to all details of the planned program and to 

the established mode of dress for the occasion. 

4. Authorise supervisors to act on our behalf, and in 

particular, where they consider necessary, to seek 

medical or other treatment for our daughter, which may 

include the administration of anaesthetics and/or 

blood transfusions, and in respect of the cost of such 

treatment we shall be liable. 

5. We consent to the administration of non-prescription 

medication (for example Panadol) via a staff member 

where this is deemed to be necessary by the supervising 

staff member or the person in charge of first-aid. (This 

will not be done where staff have been advised to the 

contrary). 

In consideration of the foregoing and of the School 

allowing our daughter to participate in the activities referred 

to above: 

1. We hereby agree to indemnify and keep the School 

indemnified in respect of any costs or expenses 

incurred by the School in connection with: 

• The early return of our daughter from the activity for 

disciplinary reasons; 

• Medical treatment afforded to our daughter taking part 

in the activity. 

2. Should there be any claims, demands or proceedings 

arising from our daughter’s participation in the activities 

we agree to indemnify the School for: 

• All excess payments on School insurance policies 

covering the claim, 

• All sums beyond the limit of insurance coverage held 

by the School and applying to the claim. 

Signature of Parent/Guardian 

Date / / 

SOMERVILLE HOUSE BOARDER’S VISITORS LIST 

33 



34

Boarders - Somerville House

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