BOARDING AT CORDWALLES (see our NEW Boarding Booklet)
As we near our school centenary, we look forward to some exciting developments in our Boarding House. As the facilities in the school have been developed, we are fortunate to have far more space available for our boys. By 2010 we will have developed a designated Recreation Room, with boy-proof (or as close as you can get!) Pool Table, Air Hockey Table, Soccer Table and a Table-tennis Table, as well as a second Television Viewing Room in a far larger area. Further developments planned for the future are to provide the boys with more age-specific areas for relaxation: a Grade 7 lounge, a play area for our younger boys, secure lockers within the Boarding House and a secure tuck-box area. Networked computers will be attached to the second Television Room which will be intended for email, skype, research and monitored recreation. There are also plans afoot to upgrade the Dining Hall and as always we strive to provide the best possible food for our boys.
The Boarders enjoy a very full and balanced day. A structured, uninterrupted one hour homework period is set aside each evening after which the boys enjoy an hour's free time and a snack before bed.
Over the week-ends, boys are taken on outings which include uShaka, Midlands Meander, strawberry picking, fishing, sporting and cultural events and the beach to name but a few.
The Junior Boarders (Grade 1 to Grade 3) have been phased out and we no longer accommodate them. The Seniors (Grade 4 to Grade 7) are cared for by fifteen duty staff living in the Boarding Establishment. A fully qualified nursing sister, Sister Kylie Townsend (photograph on left), and the Master in charge of Boarding (Mr Alex Hall) are both in residence.
In the 3rd term, as a result of the senior play, we host many of the Grade 7 day scholars. The boys then have a taste of what possibly awaits them in their next year at High School. Many Grade 7 boys who have experienced boarding for this term say that it helps them prepare mentally for boarding school in Grade 8.
Weekends:
All boarders will be allowed out as often as they wish except for the first weekend of the year which is a closed weekend. We encourage parents of new boarders to refrain from coming to visit or phoning during the first two weeks so that the boys may have the best chance of settling down in their new environment. We appreciate that this is quite difficult, but we have learnt through experience that it makes it easier for the boys to settle in. The House Master will be in contact with the parents if there is a problem with their son. In addition new boarder parents will receive a phone call from the House Master during the first two weeks to update them on how their son is settling in.
Boarder parents are welcome to visit their sons whenever they happen to be passing, provided that they do not take them out of class, away from a game or any other school activity and that they have followed the correct signing out procedure. No boy may leave the school premises without permission by their legal guardian and permission from Mr Hall. All weekend arrangements must be finalized by Wednesday evening or Thursday at the latest, so that we can finalise catering, outings etc for the following weekend. This may be done either telephonically or via email with Mr Hall.
The boys are required to wear ‘greys’ when travelling to and from school on public transport, the day before school starts, the first day of half term and at the last day of school at the end of term.
However, boys leaving the boarding house for a normal weekend are to:
Depart Friday: After hobbies in Khakis
Depart Saturday: After school commitments in full match kit or Khakis
Return Sunday : 16h00 – 17h30 wearing Khakis
Monday : 07h00 – 07h30 wearing khakis
Please note that any item of official school uniform may NEVER be worn in conjunction with casual clothing. However the combo jacket can be worn with civvies.
Please remember to sign in and out – the sign out file will be in the Boarding House reception area.
When there is Saturday School, boarder parents may take their sons out on a Friday, provided they can return them by 07h30 on Saturday morning in time for school/sport.
Start and End of terms:
All boys are expected to return to the boarding house no later than 17:00 the evening prior to the start of the new term.
During the term, Boarders may return by 17h30 on Sunday or by 07h30 on Monday mornings.
The boarding house will be closed at 12:00 on the last day of every term. Please ensure your boys are both collected and dropped at school timorously as this adds unnecessary stress to their lives, particularly term end and begin, when they are already feeling rather vulnerable.
Fax and e-mail:
Should parents or boarders prefer to make use of fax or e-mail facilities for communication with each other, these are readily available.
Pocket Money:
Boarders may have R200.00 cash per term. This must be handed to Mr Hall for control and safe keeping. All other sundries such as fun days and outings will be charged to your school account. Mr Hall will credit the boys tuck shop accounts with R100 and keep a R100for the boys in case of incidental spending.
Literature:
Boys may bring a few of their favourite books back to the boarding house and we encourage each boy to have a Bible. A dedicated 15 minutes quiet time before lights out, encourages our boys to read. Parents are requested to sign the books to signify their approval of this reading material. Boys are encouraged to use our library facilities. The Witness paper is available daily.
Television viewing:
The boys are not allowed to watch “soap operas” or other inappropriate programs. TV is mainly for the weekends. This is limited particularly if the weather is fair. TV programs are carefully monitored by the boarder masters.
Telephone:
Cell phones are not permitted to be kept by the boys in the boarding house. Cell phones must be handed to Mr Hall for safe keeping. Boys will only be given their cell phone on a Thursday evening to phone home from 19h45 to 20h15 and if they are travelling or visiting a friend for the weekend. A second phone night has been introduced on either a Tuesday or Wednesday night. This differs from term to term.
Phone cards are available from the Bursar.
The procedure for boarder parents to contact their sons are as follows :-
Incoming calls must be routed through 033 3424439 (call box) or 033 3420969 (card phone) during the following times: 18h30 - 19h20 (Pasteur Junior Dorm) and 19h30 - 20h30 (all other dorms). During all times Mr Hall’s number is 083 415 829 8 and should be used with due consideration.
You may leave a SMS or voice message on Mr Hall’s cell phone or a message with Mrs Lynn Clark (receptionist) during office hours which includes sport practices and matches.
Travel Arrangements:
By half term (one month in advance), boarder parents are requested to inform the House Master timeously of travel arrangements that might involve bus travel or air flights. Should transport to or from airports or other points be required, there will be a charge.
