Timetable

Rising Bell

The boarding school is a community in which we all play a part. The rising bell is part of the morning duties, which each boarder will have a chance of doing at some point in the semester.

Morning Inspection

For morning inspection, each boarder should be fully dressed in their uniform and ready to go to school. This means they have tidied their room, made their bed, packed their bags, brushed their teeth, etc before the inspection. Please open your door and wait in your room at inspection time until your room has been inspected.

Productive Activity Time (PAT) 1

During PAT, boarders are encouraged to engage their time in meeting DBS’ demanding boarding requirements. Giving each student the space to develop and grow individually, students typically use their PAT sessions in diverse ways:

• Activities (join clubs, school teams or extra-curricular activities)
• Academic work (use the library, catch up on homework or seek extra assistance from teachers)
• Personal projects (focus on hobbies, form a band, or do some personal fitness)
• Socialise / relax

Boarding staff are on site ensuring wellbeing, encouraging and helping the boarders fulfil their boarding requirements, and providing academic and pastoral support during this time. Boarders who are struggling with academics, or with meeting a particular requirement of boarding, may be taken aside for extra tutorials, planning or assistance during this time.

Prep 1 / Academic Consultation

For G7 – G9 students prep 1 (study time) is done in set rooms. This is for a few reasons:

1)      Knowing there is a set time for homework allows boarders to relax and focus on their activities during PAT.

2)      Teachers, tutors and staff are available to help with any homework and maintain a positive study environment

3)      By studying together, we get to help and motivate each other. Peer learning is very effective

Senior boarders may help tutor and study in the prep rooms or study quietly in their own rooms. However, it is important that others are not disturbed during this study sessions.

Evensong

Evensong is held in the chapel every day at 6:30pm from Monday to Thursday. Apart from being an act of worship, it is another area in which boarders play a major role. Each boarder, as part of a small group, will have a chance to run Evensong for a week.

Every boarder is expected to attend Evensong. In view of the commitments of senior boarders, seniors should attend at least two Evensong sessions every week. On the week of Evensong duty, they must attend all sessions.

Dinner

Dinner is held in the Glass Pavilion. Boarders are expected to dress respectably and maintain an air of dignity. No sleeveless shirts or uncovered shoes are permitted at dinner.

Productive Activity Time (PAT) 2

The evening PAT allows boarders even more time to devote to what is truly necessary to them. Those who have not completed their homework, or require academic help, may make use of a quiet study zone, or ask for further peer and staff assistance. The gym or other facility may be opened for organized, social sports. Common areas are available where boarders can gather, meet about projects, eat or socialize. Tired boarders may use this time to prepare for the next day and rest.