LOMOND SCHOOL
GUIDELINES TO BOARDING PARENTS
Lomond has an established reputation as a high-quality academic school with a welcoming ethos and flexible approach. Although these guidelines appear formal, the ethos of Boarding at Lomond is that of a large family and the quality of care and the welfare of the pupils are uppermost. Busy, happy, purposeful are epithets that are commonly used and young men and women are able to grow up in an atmosphere where freedom, trust and responsibility have their place alongside discipline, supervision, control and encouragement. We believe that we have the balance right whilst recognising the necessity of responding to the needs of the individual.
1 Background
Lomond has a tradition of boarding care that dates back to 1845. Both Larchfield Preparatory School and St. Bride’s girls’ School had a number of boarding houses in Helensburgh. Until Easter 2003 male and female pupils were housed separately with the boys being accommodated in Burnbrae House in Campbell Street and the girls in Lansdowne Park in Victoria Road. In the summer term of 2003 we moved into our new purpose built facility on the Burnbrae site. The new house is co-educational with boys and girls being accommodated on separate floors.
This handbook has been revised and, where necessary, re-written to reflect the significant material and operational changes which have taken place. Major areas of change are the accommodation provided, security and child protection issues, staffing, contact details and a number of procedural aspects of boarding life.
Burnbrae is an international house. Although the majority of pupils come from Scotland or the rest of the UK, there is a strong international element with pupils from China, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Korea, Hong Kong and France resident in the last few years. There are particularly strong links with Europe with a number of German pupils resident each session. We maintain our long-standing connections with the West Highlands and the Western Isles and we have a significant number of children from Service families.
2 Accommodation
The new house represents the most modern boarding facility in Scotland at present. The Board of Governors have invested £2 million in the rebuilding of Burnbrae house and further investment will follow in the coming years. Boarders can expect accommodation of the highest quality both in their study bedrooms and in the communal areas of the house.
Pupils from T1 – S3 share traditional dormitory rooms, which hold up to six children. These are large, spacious and provide play space as well as sleeping accommodation. The dorms, in common with the rest of the house, are newly furnished to a very high standard. Younger pupils are usually accommodated by age group, although there may occasionally be dorms containing students from two year groups, for example S1 and S2. These pupils share a shower room adjacent to their living accommodation. A number of private baths are also available for all pupils
Pupils from Senior 3/4 upwards can reasonably expect to be in a twin en-suite rooms (in some cases S3 pupils may be accommodated in dorms of 3-4). These rooms are designed as study bedrooms. Care is taken by houseparents to ensure mutual compatibility. In the senior school it is occasionally possible to provide S6 pupils with a single study bedroom.
Each floor has a small lounge for S5 and S6 pupils. These ‘brew rooms’ are designed to give senior pupils an area in which to relax in an area free from younger children. They have TV and video facilities and an area in which to make snacks and hot drinks.
The ground floor is communal and comprises of a number of lounges and recreation rooms. There is a senior lounge and a junior lounge; both are equipped with large screen televisions, DVDS and videos. These rooms also provide space for board games and Playstations.
The large room in the centre of the house is used for a number of purposes. Primarily it is a ‘prep’ room for junior pupils where supervised homework takes place. It also serves as a recreation room with new pool and table tennis tables. There are four internet-linked computers in this room. The room can also be used for house parties/discos/ceilidhs etc.
The ground floor also comprises the main house kitchen and dining area where supper is prepared each evening (although main meals are eaten at school). Adjacent to this area is a computer suite providing eight PC’s, which are internet linked and linked to the school network. Finally the ground floor provides a music practice room and a doctor’s surgery, both of which will be discussed later in the handbook.
The basement of the house provides laundry facilities and also large areas for the children to store outdoor clothing and sports gear.
There is a multi-gym and fitness suite provided for the use of Boarders from S3 and above (see separate appendix). The school opened in August 2004 two Astro-turf recreation pitches at the rear of Burnbrae for the use of Boarders and the P.E. department. These consist of a Five-a-side football pitch and a basketball court.
3 Staffing
Resident in the house is boarding houseparent who is a teacher at the school. There are at least three adult house tutors for each gender also resident in the building, who share in the responsibility for looking after the students. In total we expect to have 10 graduate staff resident in the session 2009/10. The Head of Boarding has assumed responsibility for many aspects of boarding administration and policy. The Houseparent is responsible for all aspects of boarding care in the house.
Currently the Houseparent is Miss Ailsa Springett. Miss Springett teaches in the Transitus department. Her partner Mr Chris Lawn may also perform some Houseparent duties.
The post of Head of Boarding is held by Mr. Alister Minnis. Mr. Minnis is also Assistant Headmaster.
The House has four non-resident Matrons, Mrs Isa Stewart, Mrs. Pamela MacArthur, Mrs Moira Elder and Mrs. Karen Dalgleish, who have responsibility for domestic arrangements. Mrs Stewart is the Senior Matron.
Tutors are recruited from several sources and add greatly to the international element of the school. We are currently served by several Canadian trainee teachers who are completing their teacher training at the University of Strathclyde. Additionally a number of teaching staff are resident in the house.
The tutors for Session 2009/10 are
Miss Kirsty Mason – Graphic Communication Teacher
Miss Eleanor Trevena – History Department
Miss Kate Alexander-Kirk – English Department (until Christmas – new PE assistant will be appointed)
Miss Rowan Denny – Canadian PGDE student
Mr. Joel Hammond – NZ PE Assistant – Mr Hammond will also serve as an Assistant Houseparent
Mr. Tom Vanson – English Teacher
Mr Bill Jennison – retired Head of Biology
A further appointment will be made in the summer holiday
Additional academic support is provided by members of the teaching staff between 7-00 p.m. and 8-30 p.m. each evening. The subjects for which support will be provided are Maths, English, Science, Modern Languages and T1- S2 Support.
Staff training and development is undertaken by the Head of Boarding, in conjunction with the Houseparents. Training is a continuous process and takes place both internally and under the auspices of external agencies such as the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, the Boarding Schools’ Association, the University of Surrey and the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Adults are on duty seven days a week and at all times. The adults involved with the welfare of the students are chosen for their experience, empathy and good control.
4 Aims of Boarding
The aims of boarding are prominently displayed in the house. They state:
In this house we aim to provide:
· Safe and secure accommodation in a caring environment
· The assurance that your welfare is uppermost at all times
· The opportunity to
- live an active and purposeful life
- develop qualities of mutual trust, respect and responsibility
- learn the value of friendship
- learn from the differences in each other’s backgrounds and cultures
- benefit from a variety of activities and learning opportunities.
We also aim to provide a common sense approach to everyday issues, always remembering that:
“A breach of common sense is a breach of house rules”
In addition we aim to:
- look after your health
- encourage an ethos of self discipline enhanced by clearly defined guidelines
- provide a means of communication between you, your parents and the school
5 Contact with the house
The house address is: Burnbrae House
58 Campbell St
HELENSBURGH
Argyll and Bute G84 9NL
Payphones are available in both houses for the use of pupils and are privately situated and can be freely used outside of ‘prep’ times (although users should be aware of the needs of other users). The numbers are:
Boys: (01436) 678163
Girls: (01436) 674292
Please be aware that staff do not answer these phones so it may take a little while for a student to pick up the call.
Mobile phones: pupils are permitted mobile phones. These should not be able to take photographs or video clips. Pupils in T2-S2 will have their phones collected at dorm time to prevent misuse. Pupils should not bring their phones to prep, school or meals.
The house staff can be contacted on (01436) 672396. This phone will be answered by the duty member of staff or by the matrons. In an emergency you can use (01436) 678899. This is Miss Springett’s private line and also connects with Mr. Minnis’ office. Please use the main house line first. The Houseparents welcome contact with parents. If they have any concerns regarding your child, they will get in touch with you. They regularly liaise with staff at the school, both formally and informally, to monitor social and academic progress.
You can also contact Mr. Minnis by email using
or Miss Springett by email using
For parents living abroad this is often the easiest and quickest way to get questions answered.
The weekly newsletter is posted on the school website.
www.lomond-school.org
A full and detailed report is issued approximately once a term as per the schedule in the Parents’ Handbook.
6 The Boarding Day
Monday - Friday
7.15 a.m. Rise, wash or shower, dress and collect everything ready for
school. (Prepare the night before)
Make sure you have the correct books and equipment for that
day’s lessons.
7.50 a.m. Assemble in the prep room for morning line-up prior to dismissal
for breakfast.
School Day Six periods of 55 minutes each from 8.30 a.m. to 3.25 p.m.
3.40/4.20 p.m. Drinks available in the kitchen on return from school.
Permission will not be given to juniors to go out before 4.00 p.m.
5.50 p.m. BELL/TANNOY - Make your way down to the Dining Hall for the evening
meal (except Friday, when the meal is at 5.30 p.m.). Junior T2 – S2
pupils are escorted by staff.
7.00 p.m. T1 - S2 7.00 - 8.00 p.m.
Prep Time S3 7.00 - 8.30 p.m.
S4 - S6 7.00 - 8.30 p.m. or later, if necessary
7.00 - 8.30 p.m. QUIET TIME IN HOUSE!
8.00 – 8.45 p.m. Supper provided in kitchen.
Saturday Rise at 8.30 a.m., breakfast at 9.00 a.m. (earlier if this does not
suit Sports fixtures) Mornings - Sports fixtures/active recreation;
afternoons - visits)
Sunday Rise at 9.30 a.m.
10.00-11.00 a.m. House clean-up.
Brunch: 11.00 a.m.
Snack: 1.30/2.00 p.m.
Evening meal: 5.30 p.m.
Prep time: 7-00 p.m. – 8-00 p.m. (8-30 p.m. for S3-S6)
Dorm Times
Year In Dorm Lights Out
T1 9.00p.m. 9.30 p.m. (shower before 9.00 p.m.)
T2 9.00 p.m. 9.30 p.m. (shower before 9.15 p.m.)
S1 9.15 p.m. 9.45 p.m. (shower before 9.30 p.m.)
S2 9.30 p.m. 10.00 p.m. (shower before 9.45 p.m.)
S3 9.45 p.m. 10.15 p.m. (shower before 10.00 p.m.)
S4 10.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.
S5 10.30 p.m. 11.00 p.m.
S6 own Room by 11.00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday - half an hour later than the above times.
7 Weekend Routine and extra curricular activity
The weekend routine outlined above is flexible to suit the needs of sports fixtures, extra curricular activities, trips and outings. Boarders have traditionally been at the core of Lomond’s most successful sports teams and we are keen for that tradition to continue. Parents should be aware that all boarders are expected to participate both in school sporting activities and boarding activities. Please encourage participation. Costs of trips and activities are kept as low as possible and are often arranged at discounted rates.
All trips are fully staffed and risk assessment carried out during the planning process where appropriate.
Parents are asked to sign an annual general consent document giving consent for their children to participate in activities.
8 Weekly Boarders
Weekly boarding is an option for a few families. Parents of weekly boarders can collect their children after sports on a Saturday morning or in some cases after school on a Friday. Children should be returned to the boarding house after dinner on Sunday night between 6 and 8 p.m.
As in all aspects of boarding education, communication between parents and house staff is very important. Weekly boarding is most effective when clear routines are established and adhered to. Where clear routines are not in place disruption and upset can occur both for weekly boarders and those in full time boarding education. To this end we would ask the parents of weekly boarders not to meet their children after school during the week or to ask for their removal from the boarding houses during the working week. Of course special circumstances will always be considered.