The Buddy Programme
A Buddy Programme is a big brother / big sister boarding programme in which a senior child is paired with a younger child to promote friendship and guidance and to assist the younger child with their behavioural and social needs. The programme is designed to foster a greater sense of belonging and inclusivity.
By developing relationships between the older and younger children, friendships are formed and unity established.
Key life skills such as leadership, responsibility and the willingness to help others are taught and learned through this important approach.
Character, temperament and gender are some of the elements that our House Parents consider when considering a Buddy pairing. The role of House Parents and Staff then becomes:
To ensure that the senior and junior buddies understand the relationship, their roles and their responsibilities
To oversee how the relationship develops and is maintained
To mentor and advise the senior child on their efforts to support the junior child
Should the House Parents feel, at any time, that the pairing is not suitable for one or both children, arrangements will be made to remedy the situation.
Homework and Prep
Senior Primary boarders complete their prep in a classroom, at a desk, and under the supervision of resident academic staff. Junior Primary boarders complete their prep in a classroom, at a desk, and under the supervision of a teacher. Reading is encouraged for all boarders in the evenings.
Television
Television is permitted at the discretion of the House Parent or M.O.D.
Movies and Games
Games and movies from home are not permitted. The School will provide a selection of age-appropriate movies and games for boarders’ enjoyment.
Tuck Boxes
Parents may supply a small tuck box (available for purchase from the School Shop) for tuck. Tuck is stored and handed out at the discretion of the House Parent or M.O.D. Tuck boxes may be refilled by parents over half-term and the end of each term.
Tuck should include small treats for children to enjoy on tuck days and roughly 2 small items per taking. All tuck should fit into the tuck box. Tuck that does not fit in a tuck box will be kept by boarding staff and returned at the end of term.
Please avoid perishable products and drinks.
Trunk Bags
Trunk bags are used to transport boarders’ belongings to and from the Boarding House at the start and end of the year. They should be clearly labelled with your child’s full name and laundry number. A complete list of the clothing sent to school at the start of each year should be included in a trunk bag. Trunk bags are kept at school until the end of the year unless otherwise requested.
Pocket Money
Boarders may not keep pocket money in their dormitories. A maximum of R500.00, per term, may be supplied and handed to the House Parent upon arrival at the School. Please ensure that pocket money is sent in small denominations.
Should a child require money when going out with a friend, they may request it from the House Parent or M.O.D.
Passports and Personal Documents
Important documents, including passports, birth certificates, and travel itineraries, must be handed to a House Parent upon arrival at the School for safekeeping.
Camping Kit
All camping equipment is kept in the camping room at school until needed.
Boarding Rules
We all enjoy a safe, clean, well-ordered and friendly environment. Responsibility, care, and respect for all children and staff, as well as their possessions and the property of the School, are of the utmost importance and we kindly ask all parents to educate their children on these key principles before and during their stay in our Boarding Houses.
We implore boarders to act sensibly and responsibly at all times and adhere to the following Boarding Rules:
Manners: children stand to greet staff, parents, and visitors of the School, offer assistance to those in need and assist visitors to the School.
Boys are not permitted in Sutcliffe House and girls are not permitted in Usher House. This applies to all parents as well.
Foul language is not permitted.
The selling, buying and trading of personal possessions are not permitted.
Books, magazines and images of an inappropriate nature are not permitted.
Movies and music with foul lyrics are not permitted.
Knives, guns, and any other articles deemed dangerous are not permitted. This includes infrared lasers.
Small pocket knives for whittling sticks are permitted at the discretion of the House Parent or M.O.D. but will be confiscated if handled dangerously or inappropriately.
Matches, cigarette lighters, candles, and fireworks are not permitted.
Boarders may not leave the campus without the prior permission of the House Parent or M.O.D.
Boarders may not take keys to any facility without permission.
Rollerblading, skateboarding, cycling, etc. is permitted after 16h00 but children need to be mindful of pedestrians, vehicles, horses, and other animals on the campus. The aforementioned is not permitted indoors or in the Indoor Centre. Children must wear helmets and appropriate protective wear at all times.
Children may ride on school roads, except in the morning before school, when there is excessive traffic or where an area of the campus is under construction.
Termly boarders may bring a bicycle to school, with prior permission from the Head of Boarding. They must wear a helmet at all times.
No bullying - physical, verbal, cyber, or of any other nature – will be tolerated.
Boarders may not run or participate in over-boisterous activities indoors.
Bunking out of dormitories after lights out is not permitted.
Damage to school property is not permitted and will be charged to the parents’ school account. Children will be required to phone and inform their parents of any misdeeds.
Ball games are not permitted in the Boarding Houses.
Tins containing propellant gases may not be kept in the Boarding Houses. Grade 7 boys are however permitted spray-on deodorant.
Heaters or electric blankets may not be used in the Boarding Houses for safety reasons.
Swimming without a staff member present is not permitted.
Leaving the campus without permission from the House Parent or M.O.D. is strictly prohibited.
Rechargeable hot water bottles are permitted, traditional hot water bottles are not.
Theft and use of other people’s possessions without permission are not permitted. Cameras have been installed in the entrances of the Boarding Houses to prevent theft and for security purposes.
Parents will be contacted if their child does not act in accordance with the Boarding Rules. Conduct records are kept and, after 3 incidents, parents will be called to meet with the Headmaster, Deputy Head, and/or Head of Boarding if necessary.
School Campus - Areas Out of Bounds
The following areas of the campus are considered out of bounds unless otherwise stated:
Classrooms may only be used during school hours, when a member of the teaching staff is present, or during homework sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Boarders are not permitted in the dormitories during the week until after lunch. Cleaning staff work in the Boarding Houses in the mornings.
Intern accommodation
Main gate
Kitchen
School Workshop, unless with a staff member
Estate Staff Village
Staff Houses, unless permission has been granted by the residing staff member
Offices, unless a staff member is present
Staff and visitors’ toilets
Swimming Pool, unless staff members are present
Expressive Arts Centre, unless a staff member is present
Construction sites
School Campus - Areas Permitted
The Riding School stables on weekends only, with a riding instructor present. A minimum of 3 children must be in a group and the House Parent or M.O.D. must be informed before visiting the Riding School. Boarders may not ride horses without permission.
Squash Courts on weekends, with the permission of a House Parent or M.O.D.
Boarders may camp out on the school grounds, with prior permission from a House Parent or M.O.D.
We trust that your child will enjoy their boarding and school experience with us and we look forward to their stay.