St Andrew’s School,

Turi

StaffPractical Manual

September 2016

The Practical Aspects of Living and Working at St Andrew’s, Turi

This manual is intended as an introduction and guide to living and

working at St Andrew’s School, Turi, aside from the responsibilities of academic teaching.

1introduction

1.1Where and What is St Andrew’s? 4

1.2St Andrew’s School’s Mission Statement and Core Values4

1.3Map of Turi in Kenya5

1.4History and Background of the School Estate5

1.5Climate6

2STAFF MATTERS

2.1Organisation6

2.2Induction6

2.3Staffrooms7

2.4Meals7

2.5Dress Code7

2.6Children 7

2.7Pets8

2.8Bicycles 8

2.9Visitors8

2.10Relationships8

3LIVING AT TURI

3.1Personal Vehicles9

3.2Shopping10

3.3Public Transport10

3.4Staff Club and Local Sports Facilities10

3.5Food10

3.6School Stores and Supplies10

3.7Firewood10

3.8Health 10

3.9Water11

3.10The Workforce Camp and Nursery School11

4ADMINISTRATION SERVICES

4.1 Structure and Staff11

4.2Locations12

4.3Communication12

4.4School Transport13

4.5School Banking and Finance14

4.6 Purchasing14

4.7Flights14

4.8Freight14

4.9Before Arriving14

4.10Arriving15

4.11Departing at the End of Contract15

4.12After Leaving15

5HOUSING

5.1Allocation15

5.2Occupation16

5.3Furnishings and Decoration16

5.4Maintenance16

5.5Water and Heating16

5.6Power and Gas16

5.7Gardens17

5.8Domestic and Garden Staff17

5.9Changing Houses18

5.10Valuables18

6LEAVE AND HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS

6.1Absence/Leave of Absence18

6.2Holidays18

7FINANCIAL MATTERS

7.1Salaries and Allowances19

7.2Staff Accounts19

7.3Tax and Deductions19

7.4Personal Banking and Finance 20

8DOMESTIC AND GARDEN STAFF ADVICE AND CONTRACTS 20

9STATUTORY REGISTRATION AND CLEARANCE

9.1 Police Clearance 23

9.2 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Registration 23

9.3 Ministry of Education Vetting 23

9.4 Work permits 24

9.5 Alien (Foreign Certificate) Registration 24

9.6 Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) 24

10SECURITY

Appendix 1

Checklist of documents 25

Appendix 2

Checklist for Private Vehicle Purchase 27

Appendix 3

What to Bring Recommendations for New Staff 29

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Where and what is St Andrew’s?

Welcome to “Turi”, the most used abbreviation for the village, the School and the local area. It is located some 240 km Northwest of Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, and just south of the Equator. The location is in the Kenya Highlands, west of the Great Rift Valley, at an altitude of 2,500 metres above sea level.

St Andrew’s started life in the 1930s from a smallschool established on the farm that existed at the site. It grew from strength to strength, serving in particular the missionary and administrative community scattered over colonial East Africa at that time. This has gradually changed over the years to include a similarly dispersed clientele of missionaries, aid-workers, farming and business community members and politicians from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda with others from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Sierra Leone Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sudan, the USA, Europe and the UK.

For a long time the School was limited to Preparatory School years, but in 1988 a Senior (secondary) School was established. This was centred on a very old building that, during the Second World War, was a secondary school for a brief period, called St George’s, the name of which lives on in the Senior School Art Centre. St Andrew’s School now comprises a Preparatory School and a Senior School, managed by one Board of Governors, with a unified administration and academic staffwhich, whilst nominally assigned to a particular site, work across the whole school. St Andrew’s College opened in September 2010, offering studies up to A Level.

Today, St Andrew’s is regarded as one of the leading international schools in East Africa. We number approximately 550 pupils from the ages of 3 to 18 the majority of whom are full boarders. We teach the British curriculum with pupils following full iGCSEs and A Levels programmes. We enjoy membership of COBIS, AISA and AKIIS.

The Christian ethos characterises the School and the grounds are exceptionally beautiful. Equally importantly, we believe that the atmosphere of a unified though informal community provides for a peaceful and stimulating environment for pupils and staff alike.

1.2Mission Statement

The School motto is ‘Seeking the Highest’, and our mission is to provide ‘awell-rounded and outstanding education within a Christian community, seeking to develop self-disciplined, confident and compassionate individuals who live and lead with integrity’.

1.3Core Values

The School’s core values are distinctly Christian and aim to:

  1. Ensure that Jesus Christ is faithfully proclaimed as Lord and Saviour of all.
  2. To give pupils every opportunity to come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord in their own personal experience and to grow in their Christian faith.
  3. Place emphasis on pastoral care and maintain a family atmosphere.
  4. To offer a curriculum and education to the highest standards, as accredited by the appropriate educational bodies.
  5. Promote a balance of cultures and ethnicity within the pupil body which ensures respect and appreciation for diversity.
  6. Give pupils every opportunity to achieve their full potential in all aspects of School life.
  7. Develop in pupils a sense of leadership with integrity, which will engender an understanding of service and responsibility towards others.
  8. Be a model of environmental best practice, awareness and stewardship.
  9. Expect and sustain the highest standards of behaviour and manners, maintaining discipline with Christian love.
  10. Ensure that the School is a happy and fulfilling place where pupils and staff enjoy living and working together.
  11. Recruit motivated and highly qualified members of staff who are talented, inspiring and enthusiastic, offering appropriate skills and experience, who have Christian values (and, where possible, Christian faith) and who are people of integrity.
  12. Ensure staff are given appropriate support and the opportunity for continuing professional and spiritual development.
  13. Maintain excellent relationships between Director, Heads, members of staff, parents, pupils, Governors and the wider St Andrew’s community, maintaining necessary formal and informal communication.
  14. Ensure the sustainability and the betterment of the School through strategic thinking and good stewardship of resources (financial and other), enabling the School to operate an appropriate commercial model, continually subject to a review of risk.
  15. Ensure that the School’s excellent reputation is both promoted and protected in East Africa and internationally.
  16. Ensure that adequate financial support is available to parents of prospective and current pupils, particularly those from missionary organisations, thereby allowing them access to a St Andrew’s education.

1.4Map of Turi in Kenya


1.5History and Background of the School Estate

A detailed history of the early years of St Andrew’s School,‘Turi Memoirs’, has been compiled and is available upon request. The following is a brief summary, with particular emphasis on the estate.

The land on which St Andrew’s School stands was dense highland forest at the turn of the 20thcentury.The Uganda Railway reached the site in 1900 on its way to Lake Victoria. A few years later the entire Turi-Elburgon area formed part of a massive forest concession belonging to Major E. S. Grogan (one of the most colourful characters in Kenya’s colonial past) and a siding was developed that ran from Turi station to the current Preparatory School car park. In 1920 Grogan’s concession was subdivided as 300-500 acre farms and settled by English and Scottish families.

St Andrew’s School was established in 1931 by “Ma & Pa” Lavers to cater for settler children at the request of a Turi farmer, Will Levet. The School began with 15 children in one of the two buildings on the Levets’ farm, the other being the Levets’ house – now the Senior School Art Centre. In 1934 Will Levet sold the School to the Lavers, on just 9 acres of land, who by 1936 had built the Chapel that still stands today. In 1939 a separate Senior School was established in the Levets’ old house – St George’s School, which remained in operation throughout the war. It was during the war, in 1944, that a fire started in the kitchens and burned the entire Preparatory School to the ground – the only buildings to survive being the Chapel and the Pavilion on top field (since demolished). The only casualty was the Lavers’ terrier. The School was rebuilt in its present form by Italian prisoners of war over four years, during which time houses were rented on neighbouring farms for children and staff. The School was reopened in 1948 and the fire and subsequent reopening are commemorated each year on Phoenix Night, with the Phoenix becoming the symbol for the School.

In the 1950s the Lavers were able to acquire surrounding farmland that passed from the Levets to the Underwoods (whose original farm house still stands as No. 3). This brought the estate to a total of 261 acres. In 1965 Dick Drown took over from Mr. and Mrs. Lavers as Head and his 8 years with the School saw much expansion and development.

The Senior School was re-established on its original site in 1988 – this time as St Andrew’s Senior School;St Andrew’s College was added to the same site in 2010.

Today the estate includes approximately 300 acres of forest and farmland, 20 acres of horse paddock and 20 acres of playing fields. Little evidence remains of the original indigenous forest, and for this reason there has been an emphasis on re-establishing indigenous forest trees over the past few years.

Aside from the academic and administrative staff, the School employs approximately 190people in various roles across the estate. The School also contracts with a local security provider who suppliesa security team comprising of 25 guards. 5 acres are set aside as a workforce camp, and a further 70 acres for workforce gardens.

1.6Climate

Turi is pleasantly warm for most of the year during the daytime but generally cold at night, with cool mornings and evenings. Rainfall (annual median 1,104mm, 44.5 inches) comes in three distinct wet seasons – April-May and November under the influence of the eastern monsoons, and July-August under the influence of westerly Lake Victoria. August is generally the wettest month. Drier periods are December to February and September to October.

2STAFF MATTERS

2.1Organisation

Overall responsibility for the School lies with the Director who is the most senior executive appointment, with the two Heads having responsibility for day-to-day management and operation of the Preparatory and Senior Schools respectively. Each School has its own academic staff, although some staff teach in both Schools.

There are a number of whole School appointmentsincluding the Bursar and the Bursary Staff, the Admissions and Development Directors, the HR Director, Chaplain, Facilities and Estates Managers, the Medical Team, the IT Team, the Staff Housing Administrator (SHA) and the Catering Manager as well as the Labour Force.

The campus is informally divided into Senior (SS) and Preparatory (PS) areas, with the Senior School mainly occupying the eastern part and the Preparatory School the western.

2.2Induction

An event is generally organised in the UK towards the end of July for all new staff to meet each other and current and past members of staff from Turi.The date for this year’s meeting is 30th August; full details will be sent to closer to the time.

New staffare flown out at least one full week prior to the start of the new year/term. This is to give them the chance to settle in and learn something of the new country, area and school before the pressure of a new term is fully upon them.

  • Prior to arrival all staff receive New Staff Information, which assists in the move to St Andrew’s.
  • All new staff are requiredto take part in an induction week which involves familiarisation with the School and its environs. Routine procedures common to both Schools will also be explained.
  • The Heads are responsiblefor formulating, making known and overseeing the induction policies of the School.
  • A member of staff (who may be Head of Dept.) is appointed as a mentor to look after each new member of staff for the first year and keep the respective Head informed about progress. Among his/her duties will be to:

i)Ensure that new members of staff have all necessary information about the day-to-day running of the School.

ii) Monitor demands made upon the member of the staff by the School, especially if the member of staff is an NQT.

iii)Assist where possible with professional and social problems and to further his or her professional development by all appropriate methods e.g. discussion, lesson observation.

iv)Meet regularly with the teacher in order to carry out these duties.

2.3Staffrooms

Each School has its own Staff room. These are out of bounds to all pupils and all but the youngest staff children (pre-school). Mail is brought to the staff rooms and daily/weekly briefings or other similar staff meetings also take place there.

2.4Meals

As part of your benefits at the School all food is provided to staff and their families during the term time, and for some periods of the holidays when sufficient staff are on campus. The guidelines with respect to meals, food collection and times may vary between the Senior and Preparatory Schools. Staff may choose to:

  • Eat in the Prep School or Senior School Staffroom (when not on duty in pupils’ dining room).
  • Eat at the staff table in Senior School Dining Room, or
  • Collect meals from the Prep School Staffroom or the Senior School Dining Room and eat at home. If you decide to eat at home, we ask that you do only take food for that meal only

Please note that the provision of meals is a taxable benefit.

2.5Dress Code

The following factors are taken into account in the dress code for staff on duty:

  • The culture of East Africa in which the School is placed: Although many East Africans adopt western dress codes, their expectations are still conservative. Men and women normally ensure that their clothing covers their knees and legs.
  • The Christian foundation and ethos of the School:Most Christians believe that to dress in a modest way shows respect for both our neighbour and for God.
  • The way the staff dress during contact time with the students should provide an appropriate model for the students.

Formal Occasions: Viso (visiting weekend) Speech Day, Weekend Chapel, Consultations etc.

Male Staff should wear either a suit or a jacket with shirt and tie. Female staff should wear either a smart suit, with skirt or trousers, or a dress.

Teaching:

Men

  • Male staff should wear long trousers with a jacket, shirt and tie. Jeans should not be worn
  • A smart sweater or fleece may be worn
  • Shoes, rather than trainers, should be worn

Women

  • Female staff should wear smart skirts, trousers or dresses. Jeans should not be worn. Skirts should be at least knee length. Any splits in skirts should follow the same limits.
  • Smart blouses or tops may be worn, but no sun tops or spaghetti straps
  • Tops should not expose the midriff
  • Shoes or sandals, rather than trainers, should be worn
Evening and Weekend Duty
  • Staff may choose to wear smart shorts, smart jeans, open-neck shirts and smart polo/tee shirts. Clothes should be smart, but casual.
Games
  • Staff taking games should wear suitable smart sports clothing, preferably School PE tops.
  • Staff taking matches against other schools are expected to wear St Andrew’s Staff Sports Kit.

2.6Children

There is a pre-school group (called “Turitots”) for the younger children, run by the School. Parents contribute their own time and domestic workers hours’ in lieu of payment.

Staff children of school age (Reception through to Year 13) may attend the School as day pupils under the following conditions:

  • Use of boarding house facilities is at the discretion of the Head, space allowing.
  • On their parents’ duty weekend, children of members of staff are expected to take part in all School activities including Saturday morning activities/lessons and chapel on Sunday.
  • While they are in School, staff children are the responsibility of the School and are expected to abide by all the regulations.
  • Children may not visit staff houses without permission from that staff member or from the duty staff. If such visits are approved, the appropriate supervision must be in place.
  • In term time, no pupil will be allowed to leave the School compound for any reason unless accompanied by his/her parent. During holiday time, staff children will only be allowed out of the School gate if they are accompanied by or have a note from their parent.
  • The School expects that Turitots are to be collected from school at 11.00am and Reception age staff children are taken home at a variety of times depending on the term.
  • A Prep or Senior School uniform list is available by email upon request, in the event that parents wish to buy some items before leaving the UK.

2.7Pets

  • Staff may request to keep cats and dogs although they are not encouraged to do so as there are several limiting local factors to be borne in mind. The Head’s permission must be sought in every case before the animal is brought on site. A contract must be signed with the Schoolbefore ananimal is acquired.
  • All pets must be inoculated against rabies regularly and other vaccinations as recommended by a vet. Details of all vaccinations are kept in the Estates Manager’s office. It is the School’s expectation that all dogs and cats kept on the site are neutered once they have reached maturity. There may be exceptional circumstances where an animal might not be neutered, but this would be on the advice of a vet.
  • Dogs can be a problem in that they require greater space, foul playing fields and can cause distress to any children who are not used to them. Dogs in many parts of Africa are considered animals to be feared, and as being “dirty”. For these reasons you are required to obtain the Head’s permission before acquiring a dog. If you have a dog it must be kept under control, and in term time must be confined to the boundaries of your house and garden.
  • Cats can cause particular problems in the holiday time when owners are away for extended times, foraging for food elsewhere and being a nuisance around the site. Also, being territorial, they are sometimes hard to hand on to other staff members when staff leave as they keep trying to return to their original house, not always to the liking of the new residents.
  • Consider what you will do with your animal(s) when you travel in the holidays, go on long weekends; go on leave and when you finally leave.
  • With the Head’s permission, a maximum of one dog and one cat are allowed; rabbits can be kept as pets, but not in large numbers. A few chickens are allowed if kept in a well-maintained coop, but no cockerels. No other livestock may be kept.

2.8Bicycles

  • A few staff members bring bicycles with them or purchase locally, and these can be useful for getting around the extensive School grounds or for cycling into Molo or further afield.
  • Be aware of children as you cycle around the compound. Do not allow pupils to use your bike. Certain areas are out of bounds during term time.
  • Preparatory School staff children with bicycles are free to use them around the compound over the holidays, half term and Viso weekends (when some parents bring their children’s bicycles), but in term time must restrict their use to staff gardens only. Senior School pupils are allowed to use them on Senior School grounds according to the published code.

2.9Visitors