Boarders - Somerville House

2011 boardERS’ handbook
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
honour before honours