Page 7 - Parents' Handbook - Sept 2021

THE FIRST DAY
As a general rule, new pupils arrive on the morning of the first full day of term (unless they are full boarders when they come in the night before).
Arrival
New pupils should arrive in the Front Hall
between 7.45am and 8.15am. They will be met by the Headmaster and Head of Admissions and introduced to their ‘Guide‛ who will show them to their classroom and introduce them to their future friends.
Parents of boarders are invited to see the dorm and help unpack overnight things, but a speedy exit is usually best. The ‘guide’ will help with the settling-in process. Boarders then go with their guides to their classroom to meet their Form Tutors and begin the term.
Mr Besley and Houseparents will ring early in the first week to let parents know how new children are settling in.
Guides
All pupils are given a ‘guide’ or ‘guides’ to look after them in the first weeks of their time at Abberley.
These are pupils already at the school and in the same year group, who will help them to be in the right place at the right time, introduce them to other pupils, help answer any questions and to ask a member of staff for help when necessary.
New pupils meet their guides in the Front Hall and they will be taken to their forms to meet their Form Teacher. Year 6, 7 & 8 will also meet their Personal Tutor during the first day of term.
New pupils are given an ‘Induction Booklet’ and these are completed with their guides during the first two weeks of term.
We find that pupils normally settle in quickly and happily. They find their way around the buildings amazingly quickly and are soon immersed in the busy routine of the school. After the first few days, most feel little need for logistical help from their guide or the staff. Having said this, staff are always on hand and eager to help whenever needed!
Normal Collection Times for Day Pupils
Normal collection time for Years 3, 4 & 5 is 5pm or 6pm if they are staying for After School Activities. However, on a Wednesday there are senior matches, so pick up is no later than 5pm. Matches in Years 3
& 4 are on a Tuesday so collection times may vary. Parents will be kept informed. In Years 6, 7 & 8 pupils can be collected at 5pm although most stay to do ‘Prep’ from 5pm to 6pm. Many day children choose
to stay on for Tea at 6pm followed by Evening Activities from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. There is no additional charge for Tea or for most of these activities and they are very popular.
The Saturday morning Discover programme runs from 9am – 12:45pm and is followed by sports fixtures
for those selected to represent the school. Further details are outlined later in this handbook. All parents receive a detailed overview of what is on offer through the Discover Programme.
Collection and Signing Out
Parents must collect pupils from The Palace as pupils will not be allowed to leave without a member of staff seeing who collects them. All day pupils and part-time boarders MUST sign out by The Palace whenever they leave the school.
Where the adventure begins
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