Page 12 - Boarding House Handbook_St Annes

ST ANNE'S

BOARDING

LIFE

THE HOUSE AND GROUNDS THE COUNTRY CLUB
We are fortunate to live in a beautiful house with fabulous The Country Club is a common room on campus available for
facilities, but it was not designed to be a boarding house. use by all country house boarders at break times and after
This gives it some endearing quirks, such as the variety in size school. There is a full time member of staff on duty. The Club
and layout of the bedrooms. In Years 10 and 11 boys will be has study and relaxation areas, recreational facilities and snacks.
accommodated in 2 or 3 man dorms. In the Sixth Form boys It provides the boys with a great place to work or socialise during
will be accommodated in 2 man dorms or single rooms. Each the school day. It is located near to the pick up point for the
boy has a bed, desk with lockable drawer and chair, bedside house transport.
table, lamp, wardrobe and laundry basket. There are also pin
boards so boys can decorate their rooms with posters and TRIPS
photos if they wish to. There will be occasional trips or events during the evenings or
on Sundays, and these are great opportunities for developing
The boys are free to play in the garden and make use the strong friendships which exist within the house. Sometimes
of the various facilities in the common room, gym and these will be whole house activities, at other times they may
kitchens whenever they wish during their free time. During be optional, or arranged by year or tutor group, or by orderlies
most evenings there will be a game of football or cricket teams. The cost for house trips will be subsidised from the house
happening in the garden. Having access to this space is one account or put onto the school bill. If a significant cost is likely
of the real joys and privileges of life at St Anne’s. to be incurred parents will be asked for approval in advance.

FOOD STUDENT VOICE AND LEADERSHIP
The boys have their evening meals in house five times a It is very important to us that the boys have an input into how
week. On Fridays and Saturdays they eat in school. Tim, the the house is run. The House Council meets every half term and
St Anne’s chef, provides a fabulous range of meals and can contains representatives from each year group. There is also
cater to any specific dietary requirements. House suppers a food committee which meets with the chef every term. In
provide a great opportunity for boys and staff to catch up on addition, there is a suggestion box in the house which can be
the day’s events and to enjoy each other’s company. They used to submit ideas for improvements or to raise concerns
are one of the main reasons why the sense of community anonymously.
in country houses at Millfield is so strong. Snacks are also
available after school and in the evenings in the boys’ Students are provided with various leadership opportunities.
kitchen. On Saturday nights boys are allowed to order take- The most important of these is the post of house prefect. Upper
aways if they would like to, at the discretion of the member Sixth students can apply for this position and a job description
of staff on duty. On Sundays we eat a late brunch in house, is available. An election is held each term to choose our Head
and an evening meal. In the winter this is a traditional of House. The Head of House has various responsibilities at St
Sunday roast, but in warmer weather we have barbeques in Anne’s and also represents us to the wider school community.
the garden instead. Millfield is a nut-free school so due to
policy, any food containing nuts are not permitted onsite.
ORDERLIES AND THE HOUSE FAMILY SYSTEM
TRANSPORT All members of the house will be assigned to an orderlies
The boys travel to school each morning by coach. In the team and, when on duty, will be responsible for assisting staff
evening they return to house either by coach or on the in ensuring the smooth running of the house. Each team will
half-hourly minibus shuttle which runs until 7pm. This be overseen by a House Prefect, and they will also act as the
system ensures that the boys are able to get in and out of ‘buddy’ of any new students in that team. They will help the
school for afterschool sporting, academic, co-curricular or house staff to ensure new boarders are well supported during
social commitments with considerable ease. If boys need the early stages of their time at St. Anne’s. The boys can also
to travel to or from house outside these times, for example raise any concerns with their team leader at any time.
if they return to school late from a sports fixture, there are
a number of school-approved taxi firms they can use. The
school bears the cost of any such essential travel. Taxis are
also provided each evening for boys who wish to go into
campus for an evening activity after prep as well as on
Sundays for visits to campus or town.

12 HOUSE HANDBOOK