Boys Handbook - Royal Grammar School

BOARDING STAFFAcademic Staff – while you are a boarder in Fraser YouensHouse you are in the care of a team of the resident housestaff comprising three Housemasters who live in FraserYouens , Mr Scourfield, Mrs Gallagher and Mr Stubbs (andfive Boarding Tutors). You will be assigned to a BoardingTutor group and your boarding tutor will support and helpyou whilst you board.Matron – holds a private surgery in her room in theboarding house three times a day (8.15am, 1.45pm and3.45pm). She can make doctor‟s appointments,emergency dental appointments, arrange orthodonticwork and collect prescriptions.Boarding Administrator – is responsible for the day-todayrunning of the boarding house. Mrs Roper has ateam of eight domestic staff who along with allboarders try to keep the house clean and tidy. She willhelp you if you have a problem with your room and needto report any issue. (Tracy is directly in charge oflaundry and is very helpful if you lose anything.)Catering/Chef Manager – Nigel and his team areresponsible for all the meals and snacks. Get to knowNigel and his team, they are very friendly and helpful.Food is very important to all boarders !

TUTOR GROUPSEach Housemaster and House Tutor has a group of upto 10 boys drawn from all year groups within theboarding house. He/she will not only take personalresponsibility for your academic progress but also foryour well being within the house.If you have any worries about work or friendships youshould talk to your Tutor. He or she is there to helpyou. You will meet with your tutor formally at leastonce a term to set targets, if you move study groups itwill be because you and your tutor have discussed it.Your Boarding Tutor, in consultation with you and theAcademic Housemaster, will decide in which studygroup you will be placed.SupportYou should always feel that you can turn to someone forsupport with academic work or any other problems.Housemasters, Boarding Tutors, Prefects, fellowstudents and our Academic Mentoring system are allthere to support you in addition to any support thatmay be gained within the school setting.

THE BOARDING DAY7.30amRise7.30am – 8.15am Breakfast8.45amSchool registration followed byAssembly and morning school11.45am – 12.15pm Break time12.15pmMorning school resumes1.30pm – 2.20pm Lunch2.20pmAfternoon registration and school3.40pmEnd of school and tea4.00pm – 5.15m Free time / School activities5.15pm – 6.00pm6.15pm – 7.00pmJunior activitiesSwimming twice a week6.00pm – 7.00pm Senior activities7.00pmSupper7.30pm – 9.00pm Study session9.15pm Organisation Time for Year 79.30pmYear 7 bed time9.30pm Organisation Time for Year 89.45pmYear 8 bed time9.45pm Organisation Time for Year 910.00pmYear 9 bed time10.15pmYear 10 bed time10.30pmYear 11 bed time10.45pmYear 12 bed time11.00pmYear 13 bed time

A SUMMARY OF BOARDING HOUSE ROUTINESMEALSBreakfast, Lunch and Supper are not optional.Boarders are registered at breakfast and must be down tobreakfast before 8.10am. If Boarders arrive to breakfastafter 8.00am they must be in school uniform.If you need to miss breakfast or supper you must obtainpermission, in advance, from the member of staff on duty.Packed, early or late meals can be arranged with 24 hoursnotice.Mobile phones should not be used at meal times.No food must be taken from the dining room.ACADEMIC PROGRESSThere is a study period from 7.30-9.00pm each weekday,set aside for individual study and homework (see sectionson Boarding Day and Study Groups).School Progress Report Cards and Reports will be discussedwith your Tutor in addition to taking them home to yourparent/guardian. Your Tutor will also produce a BoardingReport twice yearly in line with the school reportingprocedure.If you are not working satisfactorily you may be given anadditional allocated study time and be put on a work check.

LEAVING THE PREMISESYou are expected to stay on site during the week unlessspecial arrangements have been made with the member ofstaff on duty.If you want to leave the premises you must sign out in the„Off site‟ folder and get authorisation from the member ofstaff on duty, who will want to know where you are goingand, if appropriate, a contact name, address and telephonenumber. Prefects can authorise their own short off-sitevisits.If you want to stay out overnight, your “host” family mustcontact the boarding house in advance and, whereappropriate, your parents/guardians will have to giveapproval. Contact can be via phone or email.If you want to leave the premises, but stay on site, e.g. togo to the sports hall, you must sign out in the „On site‟folder kept in the Duty room.In all cases, you will be expected to sign back in and whenappropriate report to the member of staff on duty whenyou return to the boarding house.Before you leave for the weekend you must give details onthe „weekend‟ form.TRAVELLING IN STUDENT CARSIf you want to travel in a car driven by another student, youmust have written permission from your parents/guardiansprior to undertaking the journey.

WEEKENDS, EXEATS, END OF TERM AND HALFTERM HOLIDAYSIf you are a weekly boarder the boarding house willnormally close at 1.00pm on Saturday and reopen on Sundayat 7.00pm. You should be back in the house by 9.30pm.At holiday times you will be expected to return to theboarding house on the evening before the start of each halfterm and you are expected to leave the boarding house by7.00pm on Exeats, or half term holiday. There will be oneExeat weekend per term published in the school calendar.If you are returning from overseas your parents may haveto make arrangements for you to be met by arelation/guardian who can take you home until theappropriate time comes to return to the boarding house.Any other arrangements must be authorised in advance bythe Head of Boarding or appropriate Housemaster.OUT OF BOUNDSAll parts of the boarding facility, including the grounds, areout of bounds to day boys and visitors unless the member ofstaff on duty gives specific permission.The following areas are out of bounds to boarders unless amember of staff gives permission: the Housemasters‟ private rooms the kitchen and domestic offices the swimming pool the school buildings the area around the back of the cricket pavilion

POCKET MONEYA pocket money account is available. You are stronglyadvised to be wise about the way you handle your finances.If you have a large sum of money you must deposit itimmediately into the pocket money account run by theHousemaster (Academic) for safe keeping. Smaller sums ofmoney should either be locked away in your cupboard or kepton person. Senior boys are encouraged to organise their ownaccounts with local banks in High Wycombe.Loss of money cannot be made good by the boarding staff orthe School.Do not borrow money from other boarders; ask aHousemaster if you need money.Depositing and Withdrawing MoneyThe procedure for depositing and withdrawing money fromyour Fraser Youens Pocket Money Account is as follows:Ask the Housemaster (Academic) to access your account. Onyour account card, enter the date, the amount going in/out,the updated account balance and then sign to confirm thosedetails. The Housemaster (Academic) will then check thedetails and take or give you the money. A few days noticeshould be given if you need to withdraw a large sum ofmoney.You or your parents may pay money into your account with acheque. Cheques for the pocket money account should bemade payable to “Fraser Youens Pocket Money Account”.If you require a cheque to pay for a school trip, examinationfees, music lessons etc. then you can approach theHousemaster (Academic) about this. Cheques can be writtenfor boarders who do not have accounts.

COMMON ROOMSThese rooms are for the benefit of all and should not beused selfishly. The common rooms should be left in a cleanand tidy state. Any crockery used should be washed upbefore bedtime. Every boy is expected to take his turn towash up on a rota basis. A common room prefect should helpremind boys to clean the common rooms.All losses and breakages must be reported to the member ofstaff on duty immediately.MP3 PLAYERS, CD PLAYERS, MOBILE PHONES,COMPUTERS AND GAME CONSOLES etc.The school accepts no responsibility and has no insurancepolicy for loss of property from the boarding house. You arestrongly advised to keep your valuables under lock and key atall times or give them to a Housemaster for safe keeping.Internet access is available on the Boarders‟ Network. Boysmust be aware that if they have internet access via a dongleor phone they must only visit age appropriate material. Thisresponsibility lies solely with the parent and individualstudent.* See Note re. Bullying.Game consoles and the use of computers for gaming can onlybe used between 3.40-5.15pm (if boys are in shared dorms).The use of ICT and games consoles for anything other thanstudy is not allowed after study groups for any student inYears 7-11.ALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES must be PAT testedbefore being used.

DORMITORIES AND BEDROOMSIt is your responsibility to ensure that your dormitory orbedroom is kept clean and tidy.Before you go to school each day you should ensure that: your bed is made i.e. the duvet is turned back and thebottom sheet is straightened and tucked in. your clothes are all put away. all your dirty clothing is taken to the laundry roomand put into the laundry basket. your books are tidy. all rubbish is put in the bin. the floor around your bed/desk is clear so that thedomestic staff can hoover and dust.Posters can be put onto notice boards but they must beappropriate.Games such as football and other activities which couldcause damage must not be played indoors.All losses and breakages must be reported to the member ofstaff on duty immediately.For Health and Safety reasons no refrigerators areallowed in dormitories or bedrooms.

LAUNDRYA full in-house laundry service is provided. You are asked toobserve the following in order to help the laundry staff: All dirty washing must be put in the trolleys in thelaundry room. Socks and underwear should be sorted and put in washnets. Please do not overfill the nets and if possibleseparate dark and light items. Shirts should be turned the right way out, sleeves rolleddown and buttons done up. Collect all clean clothing from the shelves in the laundryroom after school and put away promptly in your drawersand wardrobes. Bed linen will be washed on 2-week rotation and must bestripped in the morning on the day designated as beddingday. On bedding day, bedding takes priority over anyother personal laundry. Rugby boots and dirty trainers should not go up to thedormitories and must be kept in the boot rooms. School uniform should be taken home half termly forcleaning. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to washblazers and jackets. All belongings must be clearly marked with your name,including footwear. Any unmarked items of clothing willbe kept in the laundry room until they are claimed. Onceclaimed they should not be worn again until they arenamed. Any unmarked items of clothing left unclaimed atthe last day of term will be disposed of. Any items which are unsuitable to be either machinewashedor tumble dried should not be sent to thelaundry, as we do not take responsibility for damage orshrinkage.

TELEPHONESThere is a public telephone on each of the three floors ofthe boarding house. These should not be used selfishly andconsideration must be given for other would-be users.Mobile telephones are allowed but boys are expected to usetheir phones sensibly. Phones should not be used after lightsout and before breakfast. Students who have Mobiles withinternet access or cameras/video functions must realisethat any behaviour deemed unacceptable by the dutymember of staff will result in their phone being confiscated.It is totally forbidden for a student to post any video orphotographic images (involving students within the boardinghouse) on the internet without the express permission ofthe Head of Boarding.Whilst the use of mobile phones is allowed in Fraser Youensboys must be aware of the School policy on mobile phones.BOARDERS‟ ACTIVITIESA variety of activities are organised at 5.15pm Mondayto Thursday for Junior boys and if you are a Junior boyyou will be expected to participate fully.All activities are compulsory for Year 7 and Year 8.Year 9 select four or more activities.Senior boys have use of the sports hall from 6.00 –7.00pm Monday to Thursday for supervised activities.

STUDY GROUPSTo help with your academic progress you will be placedin an appropriate study group.GROUP AGROUP BGROUP CGROUP C+is for sixth form boys who have shownthe ability to work independently and aremaking excellent progress. If you are inthis group your work will be monitored byyour Tutor and you will be allowed in theboarding house during private studyperiods. It is expected that boys in thisgroup can organise their own study time.is for boys who are progressing well butwho benefit from a set study time aftersupper each evening (7.30 – 9.00pm). Ifyou are in this group you are supervisedby the Boarding Tutor on duty andprefect.is for boys who need the help of asupervised study session after suppereach evening (7.30 – 9.00pm). If you arein this group your work will be checkedeach evening by the duty Housemaster.is for boys who are not quite ready for Bgroup. Fully supervised by a prefect andchecked by the duty tutor.

SMOKING, DRINKING ALCOHOL AND ILLEGALSUBSTANCESSmoking, drinking alcohol and the use of illegalsubstances are strictly prohibited.If you are found breaking this rule you will be reportedto the Head of Boarding, Headmaster and SchoolGovernors and you risk losing your boarding place.No items linked with the above must be brought intothe boarding house.

Merits will be awarded for Years 7 – 11 students underfour categories: Boarding CommunityThis is for contributions to the house community e.g.undertaking extra duties, helping other students. It couldbe involvement in House Councils or House activities and itrelates to a student‟s general helpfulness and input intoboarding life. AcademicThis is for academic progress and conspicuous effort forschool and homework. It could be rewarded for a significantpiece of work, continued progress grades and can relate toboth effort and excellence. Attitude towards prep willobviously be taken into account. It may relate to significantimprovement over a period of time. RGS Extra CurricularThis is for noteworthy participation in school events, clubsor activities. It could be related to music, sport, drama or ahobby taken at RGS. We are hopeful that boys willparticipate in a variety of activities offered at RGS. DomesticThis is for the ability to be organised and tidy in dorms andcommon rooms. For Years 7 and 8 Prefects in particular maybe involved in the award of these merit marks.Rewards for meritsThe Year group that receives the most merits per student inone half term, will be eligible for either:DVD rental with either Pop Corn or Pizzaor a Cinema / Bowling trip to town.

This reward will be offered in the final week of the halfterm (except Christmas and Summer when it will be thepenultimate week) and the student in that year group withthe most merits will be able to choose which reward hewould like. The year group winning the prize will beaccompanied by a Housemaster or tutor if they are visitingtown.At the end of the Autumn, Easter and Summer Terms, theindividual with the most merits for that term may beentitled to choose an additional privilege for his year groupor the whole house at the Housemaster‟s discretion.SanctionsThe discipline of the house evolves from the use ofappropriate rewards and sanctions. Most punishments willinvolve the withdrawal of privileges that, hopefully, will bereinstated when your behaviour becomes acceptable again.If a boy does not respond to advice and encouragement, hewill be given appropriate restrictions on his movements anduse of time.Any punishments given should be fair, appropriate andrecorded in the “Incident Book” which is kept in the Tutor‟sRoom.If a boy is not working satisfactorily, he may be given anadditional allocated study time and be supported through avariety of methods.

PUPIL VOICEIt is imperative that everyone living at Fraser Youens hasregular input into the daily running of the house. This isfacilitated via weekly meetings, informal discussion, studentsurveys and both Boarding and Food Councils.Boarders‟ CouncilThe Boarders‟ Council is an elected body, which seeks toimprove conditions within the boarding community. TheCouncil meets regularly with the Head of Boarding to discussboarding issues. The meeting is chaired by a Senior BoardingPrefect.You may get the chance to put forward the opinions of yourfriends because each year group within the boardingcommunity elects a responsible representative to sit on theBoarders‟ Council.Food CouncilThe food council is an elected body that will discuss cateringmatters and ensures that all boarders have a „voice‟ in termsof catering issues. The Council meets once per term with theCatering Manager and the Head of Boarding to discusscatering issues.You may get the chance to put forward the opinions of yourfriends because each year group within the boardingcommunity elects a responsible representative to sit on theFood Council.

BULLYINGIt is your right and responsibility to report bullying,whether it happens to you or to someone else.You will be given information by the school and withinthe boarding environment on Anti-bullying strategiesand how to deal with Bullying. Please take this seriouslyand you should be aware of who to talk to if you areunhappy.Talk to a friend, prefect or any member of staff forhelp.REMEMBER SOMEONE CAN AND WILL HELP YOU.All of the Housestaff will be happy to talk to you at anytime if you have any concerns.CYBER BULLYING – Cyber bullying is the use ofelectronic information and communication devices suchas e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, mobilephones, pagers and defamatory websites to bully orotherwise harass an individual or group throughpersonal attacks or other means.Students must be aware that any form of Cyberbullying would be seen as a severe breach of bothboarding rules and school rules.

BEHAVIOURYou should be conscious of your use of language andensure that it is never offensive.You will be expected, at all times, to behaveconsiderately and responsibly.The guiding principle of Fraser Youens House isrespect for all members of the boarding community,regardless of ethnicity, culture, background ordisability.

IN CASE OF FIREON HEARING THE FIRE ALARMBy Night:Put on a dressing gown or coat and shoes.DO NOT stop to dress fully.Ensure that others in your room are awake.Go to the place of assembly, shutting all doorsbehind you.By Day:Go at once to the place of assembly.At all times:ACT QUIETLY.DO NOT STOP TO COLLECT YOUR PERSONALBELONGINGS.DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PASS OTHERS ON YOURWAY TO THE PLACE OF ASSEMBLY.The place of assembly is:ON THE SCHOOL FIELD IMMEDIATELY IN FRONTOF THE BOARDING HOUSE.

CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTSIt has always been recognised that children living awayfrom home may have worries or complaints that theyneed to discuss with others in order to receive help oradvice. There are plenty of people at the RoyalGrammar School to assist you and many lines ofcommunication to the outside world if you feel that thepeople in school cannot help you.The following information has been put together toensure that you are aware of all the help available andto advise you on your rights emphasised by the law. Donot be afraid to complain. It is your right to betreated properly and it is your right to complain if youthink you are not being treated fairly. Do not hesitateto ask if you simply want someone to talk to or a“shoulder to cry on”.Things that might make you unhappy or upset:You feel you have been treated unfairly by amember of staff in school or in the boardinghouseYou feel that a punishment is unjust or in someway not rightA senior boy has treated you unkindlyYou are being bulliedYou find it difficult to make friendsYou think you are being discriminated againstbecause of your nationality

You feel that no one understands the difficultiesyou are having with some of your workSomeone has hurt you or abused you or has madesuggestions you think are not rightYou feel the food you get is not as good as itshould beSomeone is making fun of youYou are homesickYou feel that there is not enough respect ofyour privacySomeone has taken something of yours and hasnot returned itYou think you are being badly taught and you arenot getting a fair dealOR ANYTHING ELSE YOU THINK IS WRONGYou may just want someone to talk to or you may wantto make a formal complaint. Either way, this procedureshould assist you in deciding what to do.

What if you just want to talk to someone?Remember you probably have friends who may be ableto help you or an older boy to whom you feel you canturn to. The Head of Boarding, the Housemasters,House Tutors or other members of staff always wantto help.There may be times when you feel you cannot talk to amember of staff – this is perfectly all right. Talk,telephone or write to any of the following people:

Whoever you contact will speak to you at the school –again you may have someone with you – and they willadvise you about what course seems sensible. At thisstage it will be up to you to make a decision acting onthis advice.DO NOT BE AFRAID TO COMPLAINWe would like to help you whether yourproblem is in or out of school or theboarding house!AWARENESS OF VISITORS ON SITEPlease be aware that there could be visitors onthe school site both throughout the day and atweekends.If you are unsure of whom someone is or seeanyone acting suspiciously please report thisimmediately to the duty member of staff.DO NOT APPROACH THEM DIRECTLY.Please ensure all visitors that you invite intothe boarding house are signed in The VisitorsBook and countersigned by a member of staff.