Elements of the Timetable

Rising Bell

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 school 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.

Self-Managed Time (S.M.T.) 1*

During Self-managed Time, 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 P.A.T. 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 fulfill their boarding requirements, and providing academic and pastoral support during this time.

Chapel

Religious activity or Evensong is held in St. Augustine’s Chapel at 18:30 usually from Monday to Wednesday, while Holy Eucharist is usually celebrated on 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 Chapel. In view of the commitments of senior boarders, they should attend at least TWICE per week.

Prep Sessions*

For G7 – G9 students, Preps (study time) are 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 S.M.T.;

2)      Duty Masters/Mistresses, 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.

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 these study sessions.

Meals

All meals are 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 all times in the dining hall.

Self-Managed Time (S.M.T.) 2*

The evening S.M.T. 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. The swimming pool will be open for boarders according to the schedule given by the Sports Department. Common areas are available where boarders can gather, meet about projects, eat or socialize. Tired boarders may go to bed earlier by informing a member of staff in advance.

* External Tutorials – Although permission is usually given to allow boys to attend private tutorials off campus, the Warden reserves the right to withdraw this privilege if a boy is in breach of Boarding School rules or when the privilege has been abused.