When you read a booklet you are often looking for key words that describe the topic or product, so how does one describe something as nebulous as a
boarding house? We could start with the name; for those of you wondering about why we call a boarding house ‘Stud House’ it is due to the fact that it sits on the site of the old horse stables (called the stud yard). We could look at the staff; we are blessed with a diverse and experienced group of tutors with differing subject specialisms but all with a desire to do the best for their tutees. We could look at the fixtures and
fittings which in Stud House must rate it as one of the best, if not the best, boarding facility in the UK. We could look at the effort scores, the exam results, the smartness of the boys or the house sports results. But what does a parent really want to know about the boarding house where their son is going to spend a significant amount of their school life? They want to know that their son is being cared for, something that in Stud House we do rather well. From the Matrons to the Housekeepers, from the tutors to the prefects, we operate as a unit. All of the other stuff means nothing if the boys do not feel safe, comfortable and able to thrive.

We have now come to the end of the academic year and the time seems to have flown by. I have, just like the Stud Boys, learnt a lot, completed a lot of hard work, had a few laughs, done some things I have loved and done some things I have not enjoyed. It is now time to reflect and think about what the highlights were. Well, where does one start? We have had a day out at Arlington reservoir followed by a colour run, a trip to Ninja Warrior, a Christmas dinner, a formal dinner and evensong, a cheese and wine evening, year group trips to the golf course, laser quest, BBQs, pizza nights and the list just goes on.

This coming year Nick Potter will continue in the role of Deputy Head of Stud. In addition the boys are supported by a very able staff of Laure Finat-Duclos, resident tutor and our 9 other personal  tutors. The tutors will meet with their tutees at least once a week in a formal, timetabled tutor or PSHE session and they will arrange a less formal, one to one session where the tutor and tutee can discuss any concerns, the tutor can pass on any praise, and provide support where needed.

The matrons are lovely. Mollie, Jo and Liz are all seasoned hands at looking after the boys and are a crucial cog in the smooth running of the House. They will help your son in any way they can; from looking after him if he is ill to giving lessons in how to iron a shirt. The housekeepers, Danielle, Mark, and Leanne keep the House looking good and are always around during break times for a chat. The House Prefects wake the boys up every morning and put the boys to bed but they do so much more, such as modelling the best behaviour for the other boys to follow, and providing the boys with a sympathetic ear if needed. On arrival all new students will be ‘buddied up’ with a current student who will show them around for the first few days. The  successful running of the house relies on all of its members being able to communicate with each other. This in turn ensures that there is no one who feels ‘outside’ of the Stud family.

Our aim is to allow boys to become gentlemen and as such we want our charges to develop emotionally, academically, spiritually and morally.

This welcome booklet should provide new students and their families with useful information that helps to prepare the boys to join Bede’s and Stud House. Rest assured that most anxieties when attending Stud for the first day are more keenly felt by the parents, and less so by the boys. If you would like to speak to me about anything that is not covered here or you need clarification on the topics contained then please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to speaking to as many of you as possible in June or on the morning of the first day back in the Autumn term.

Mr. Peter Jones, Housemaster