Boarders - Somerville House

2011 boardERS’ handbook
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
somerville house 2011