Welcome to the DBS Boarding School FAQ for 2008/09.
Provided here are answers to common questions that have been asked.
More questions and better answers will be posted here as soon as they are available.

Room Allocation

What room will I be living in?

When you first come into boarding school, you will be assigned a room according to your age, form or grade level, and other factors from your application.

There are some aims and objectives that we try to meet through room allocation:

Room Allocation Main aims:

• Harmony amongst all room mates and within the boarding house.

• An environment that fosters the development of interpersonal skills, conflict resolution and friendships.

Room Allocation Objectives:

• A room with a similar grade range

• A room with similar age range

• A room with a mix of house groups and mentor groups

• Room mates with a harmonic diversity of interests, characters and personality

• Room mates who learn to overcome conflicts peacefully and build friendships

In general, and subject to available rooms, Grade 7-9 boarders will live on the sixth floor, and Form 4-6 boarders will live on the fifth floor. You will be given your room number on or before your first day of boarding.

Can I share a room with my friends? / How can I change my room?

If you have any requests to live with any friends, please notify the boarding office. We will consider these requests, but cannot promise that you will live with your requested friends. We always try to fulfill the aims of the room allocation policy.

There are two days in a year which are “Room Change Day”. Each boarder is entitled to one (1) room change every year. To change your room, you must request it in writing, with a clearly stated reason, and have all parties involved sign it (including all the room mates living in the initial and destination rooms). The room change can then be approved by the warden. Approved room changes will then take place on a designated room change day. DBS reserves the right to change room allocation at any time if it is in the best interests of the boarders and the boarding house.

I’m having problems with my room mates, how can I change my room?

It is inevitable that small problems or conflicts arise when living with other people. An important part of boarding is learning to deal with conflicts and learning to live with others. Boarders are encouraged to solve all problems in a quick and reasonable manner, maintaining respect, honesty and harmony within the boarding house.

However, sometimes conflicts can become quite complicated or get out of control. Boarders can seek help from a number of sources to try and solve the problem. In particular, a common response will be to request a change in rooms. However, the following procedure will be followed in the case of conflicts between room mates:

1. Boarders’ are encouraged to solve the problem amongst themselves
2. Failing step 1, boarders are required to solve the problem through mediation
3. Failing step 2, boarders are required to meet with a member of the boarding staff, who may implement some rules or guidelines to help end the conflict.
4. Failing step 3 or on recommendation by the staff member involved in step 3, boarders may consider and apply for an immediate room change. This step involves a written letter signed by all boarders involved in the room change and, subject to the warden’s approval, may be carried out immediately.

Note: At all times, violence, duress and threats to safety will not be tolerated. Should any person’s safety and wellbeing become a concern, the warden may act immediately to rectify the matter, including an immediate change in room assignments.

Facilities

What facilities are there in the Samuel Tak Lee Building (boarding complex)?

The Samuel Tak Lee Building houses the boarding dormitories and sports complex (gym, indoor pool and weights room). Within the boarding section (4/F - 7/F), there will be two floors for student rooms (5/F and 6/F), 1 floor of common rooms and common areas (4/F) and 1 wing for the nursing assistant and sick bay (7/F). Common rooms that will be available this year include 3 quiet study rooms, 2 dedicated music practice rooms, 1 multi-purpose room (for music practice, meetings, activities, etc.), 2 common rooms with TVs. Computers will also be available within some of these common rooms. We also have a number of sitting out areas within the corridor and lobby areas on each floor, with a telephone on each floor also. The main boarding office will be located on the 4th floor.
There are two bathrooms on each floor offering a total of 10 showers with hot water, 8 toilet cubicles, 2 large urinals and 20 washbasins on each floor. There are also two pantry areas on each floor with kitchen sink and water dispenser for boarders to use.
The boarding school makes use of other school facilities as well when they are not being used for by other sections of the school. The gym or pool will be opened several times a week exclusively for boarders' use. Ample music practice facilities are available for piano and other musical instrument practice.

Will there be a quiet study / reading room?

There are a number of common rooms available for boarders' use on the 4/F, including 3 quiet study rooms and other meeting areas. Boarders are welcome to use these during Productive Activity Times. Prep time will be done in some of these study rooms also. In the afternoon, boarders may also make use of the school library until 5:30pm, when prep starts.

Can I practice piano while boarding?

Yes. Pianos will be made available for practice. As the piano is a popular instrument, practice times will need to be booked. Boarders are encouraged to use the pianos and the boarding school aims to provide adequate access to pianos and music practice rooms for all boarders requiring it. Don’t forget that you can log your piano practice time as part of your PACES targets!

Can I use the swimming pool?

The swimming pool will be open and available to boarders at set times. For safety reasons, boarders will only be able to access the swimming pool when it is open to boarders or general student use, when there is sufficient supervision by lifeguards whilst they are using it.

Are there any computers?

A number of computers will be available in common rooms exclusively for boarders to use. Boarders are welcome to bring their own laptop computers and make use of the wireless network (WiFi) facility within the dormitory building.

Can I access the internet?

Yes. The internet is an essential resource for education, communication and productivity. DBS makes this powerful infrastructure available through fixed line and wireless networking. However, the internet can also be a dangerous resource. Certain controls are placed on internet access to help protect boarders and the boarding community. All boarders must strictly adhere to DBS guidelines on the use of computers and the internet.

Programme

What commitments do I have in boarding?

1. All boarders must follow the boarding timetable. Of particular importance are when registration is taken, namely: meal times, prep times and lights out.

2. All boarders must fulfill their minimum requirements (PACES targets).

3. All boarders must contribute actively to the boarding community.

Before becoming a boarder you should think about whether you can commit time to boarding. You are encouraged to get involved in Extra-Curricular Activities, school teams, clubs and societies and other school activities – these can all count towards your boarding requirements (PACES). However, if you are heavily involved in external training or courses that you regularly need to miss some boarding time, you will not have enough time to get involved in the community or complete all your boarding requirements. Generally, all boarders should attend all meals and prep times, except by special arrangement with the Warden.

What do we do during boarding time?

Boarders follow the boarding timetable and aim to complete their boarding requirements (PACES). These requirements include academic study, self-development and involvement in a range of activities (see What is PACES?). There are also many opportunities to become involved in the leadership and running of the boarding house. Of course it is important to also socialize and relax.

What is PACES?

For details, see Introducing PACES at DBS

In Brief:

Personal goal,

Academics,

Creative cultural experience,

Exercise,

Service.

• It represents 5 areas boarders must be active in during boarding.
• There are minimum requirements for each of the 5 areas every fortnight, month or term.
• It is a method of tracking and reporting what boarders do, and ensuring well-roundedness
• It develops responsibility, independence, planning and creativity
• It is the structure of the programme – a guide for what boarders must do with their time.
• It recognises and rewards individual talent, effort and contribution in diverse areas.
• It includes rigorous academic monitoring of boarders, communication with day school, etc

What is Productive Activity Time (PAT)?

In order for boarder to meet their PACES requirements, they need time to do this. During Productive Activity Time (PAT), boarders are free to focus on the things they need to do. Staff are on duty during this time and encourage and help boarders to fulfill PACES requirements. Staff may also organize activities or open up some facilities (such as the gym or pool) for boarders to use during this time.

Everyday we have two PAT sessions – one immediately after school, and one after prep 2. Boarders are encouraged to join clubs, societies, sports and music groups after school. During the evening sessions, boarders are encouraged to use the time within the boarding community. Some boarders may want to run activities. Others may be practicing an instrument. Some may be working on a project or finishing extra homework. Others may be doing various dormitory duties. Of course it is also a good time to socialize and relax.

Will I have time for Extra-Curricular, Clubs, Societies, School Teams, Orchestra, etc.?

Yes. As a boarder, you are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of DBS. In fact, the time that you are involved in ECAs, clubs and school teams counts towards your boarding requirements (PACES). The ideal time to get involved in these sorts of activities is during Productive Activity Time (PAT) after-school. Of course if your involvement goes into other boarding time, you will have to get permission from the boarding school first.

Remember that being highly involved in one area does not mean you can neglect other boarding requirements. You must fulfill all your requirements, including keeping your academic work consistent. Boarders who neglect other boarding requirements will be asked to reconsider their place in the boarding school.

Rules, Discipline and Supervision

Am I safe from bullying?

DBS Boarding School has a “Zero Tolerance” policy towards bullying behaviour and any bullying will be treated very seriously. Staff and senior boarders are trained to identify and deal with bullying. If you suspect you are being bullied, talk with a responsible senior or boarding staff member immediately.

Who is there to supervise the boarding school? / Who do I go to for help?

In general, from Sunday night until Friday afterschool, there are always 2-3 staff on duty. At certain busier times, extra staff and tutors are also on hand. The Nursing Assistant is also on call and available at all times during boarding. All staff involved in major boarding duties live on campus, with the Warden, Assistant Warden, Senior Tutor and Nursing Assistant living within the same dormitory complex as boarders. Feel free to contact the staff member on duty or any of these staff if you need help.
The Boarding Staff for 2008-2009 are:

Times of Boarding and Leave

When do I need to be at Boarding School?

Regular boarding time runs from Sunday night inspection until after-school on Friday. Boarders are expected to be present during regular boarding time. Boarders are welcome to come back from 6pm onwards on Sundays and are welcome to stay until after dinner on Fridays. Supervision will be available until Saturday lunch, when all remaining boarders are expected to leave.

 

With regard to school holidays, regular boarding time starts from night inspection on the day before the first day back, and / or ends after-school on the day before school holidays. For short (one or two day) school holidays, whether boarders are allowed to remain over the holiday will be decided by the warden and disseminated in advance.

At what times can I leave the boarding school?

General Rules:

• All boarders are expected to be present during Regular Boarding Time.
• Boarders must sign in with the master on duty when they arrive at school.
• Once boarders have signed-in, DBS runs a “closed campus” system – boarders are not allowed out of the school campus without approved leave.
• If boarders wish to leave campus, they must apply for the relevant leave and fulfill leave criteria.
• An “honor system” exists, where DBS places trust on boarders about the accuracy and honesty of their leave circumstances and their actions and behaviour whilst on leave (see DOs and DON’Ts).

There are three types of leave. Boarders and parents should be clear about which type of leave they require and follow the procedure for each.

 

 

 

Parental Permission for leave

Each boarder is given a parental permission form in the acceptance pack. If you wish to amend your parental permission for leave or other consent for boarding school, please download and return the Parental Permission form.