Frequently Asked Questions

Joining Windsor School as a Boarder is a new experience for you although some of you might have been boarders before else ware. If there are any matters which you are unsure about please talk to a member of staff.

Here are some of the things that you may want to know:

Index:
1. Prep
2. Signing in/out
3. Roll Call
4. Rooms
5. Laundry
6. Discipline
7. Community Spirit
8. Bicycles
9. Personal Belongings
10. Illness
11. Telephones
12. Food
13. Problems
14. Guests
15. Weekends
16. Employment

1. Prep
Can I go out during the usual prep time? Only with staff agreement. You must not miss prep but you can do early prep before dinner in order to do an activity which has to happen between 18:15 and 20:15.
Do I do prep on Friday Saturday & Sunday? No. However senior Boarders and those studying for exams must do some prep over the weekend.

2. Signing in/out
Why do we have to sign out? We need to know who is in the house in case of phone calls, fires and other emergencies. We might need to contact you, we are responsible for you and must be able to tell your parents where you are if they telephone.
Does it matter if I am a few minutes late signing in? Yes!
Why? We are a large community and we must make sure that everyone has the same deadline (it is for YOUR safety). What is the point of a deadline if you don't have to stick to it?

What about overnights? At weekends (Friday & Saturday nights) boarders may sign out to stay at someone else's home provided the correct procedures are followed (both sets of parent's must sign the forms) A Sunday night is only permissible if both the Friday & Saturday night have been taken. The reasons are written down on the form used.
What about during the week? No. You are not allowed to stay at someone else's home during the week (Monday to Thursday). Your parents are the only people with whom you can stay during the week.

3. Roll Call
What happens at roll call? We take a register and give out information. Boarders may pass on messages to other boarders or staff.

4. Rooms
Can I put up my own posters and pictures? Yes. Please use only the pin board.
Is there somewhere to lock money and valuables? Yes. Every room has a wardrobe with a hasp and a lockable drawer. Remember to keep temptation out of sight. You may ask for money, passports, bank books etc.to be locked in the in the office filing cabinet.

5. Laundry
Do I wash my own clothes? In Windsor House yes. You will be given a ‘wash-slot’ on a rota when you arrive and you will be shown how to use the washing machines and driers. In School House Matron will collect clothes on certain days of the week according to your year group and do the washing for you.
How can I make sure nothing goes missing? LABEL EVERYTHING! and use a washing net which will keep everything together.
What about ironing? There are irons and ironing boards in both Houses..

6. Discipline
What happens if I break the rules? Firstly, don’t! Each rule is there for a purpose, usually to do with your safety and welfare. We have a system of sanctions which are applied by the Resident / Houseparent Team. Each transgression is entered in a ‘Punishment Book’. Punishments range from a verbal warning, through 24hour gating to a period of suspension for more serious offences.
Will my punishment be explained to me? Yes. The Resident staff will discuss both your offence and punishment with you and in more serious cases with your parents.

7. Community Spirit
How can I get involved and get to know other boarders? We have a system of committees. You can join a committee of your choosing which will take responsibility for an aspect or area of the House. We encourage everyone to be involved, passing on ideas, making suggestions, helping out etc. There should be one to interest you!

Can I bring a bike? Yes. Please make sure that it is German road legal and that you lock it each time you leave it.

8. Bicycles
Can I bring a bike? Yes. Please make sure that it is German road legal and that you lock it each time you leave it.

9. Personal belongings
What if something goes missing? Always report it. However, we cannot take responsibility and we recommend that you take out insurance, put your name on your possessions and lock them in your wardrobe.

10. Illness
What if I don’t feel well? You will go to Sick Bay where a trained nurse will care for you. You might need to go to the medical centre, transport will be provided. The boarding house will not be open during a normal school day.

11. Telephones
Where are they and what about mobile phones? There are phones which take incoming calls only on the girls’ and boys’ corridors in Windsor House ind in the foyer of School House. Mobile phones must be switched off during prep, meals, roll call and after bed-time. They must not have a camera function.

12. Food
What about meal times and choice of food? Boarders have lunch in school with the day pupils. There should be a choice of meals in the boarding house, there is always a vegetarian menu but the cooks need to know in advance if you have any particular dietary needs. There is a food committee to which any suggestions or complaints should be made, or see a duty member of staff if you have an immediate problem. If you are taking part in an organised activity which clashes with a meal time you may ask to have a meal saved. You can also apply for a packed lunch if you give a few days’ notice. We ask you to be considerate of others when you are in the dining room and a notice is on display explaining this.

13. Problems
Where do I go if I have problems? It depends on the nature of the problem. If you have a problem with your room, for example, see matron. If you have a personal or medical problem you can go to Sick Bay without asking (unless it is during lesson time!) The nurse there will always find time to talk. An Independent Listener comes to the boarding house once a week and will listen and perhaps help you to sort out your problem or tell you who will. The Listener is not a member of the boarding staff and will not divulge anything unless you ( or another person ) are at risk. There is a trained Counsellor in school and the boarding staff have also been known to be helpful too!

14. Guests
Can I have visitors? Yes but one at a time please! Your guest should be signed in and may only use the social areas of the house

15. Weekends
Can weekly boarders stay at weekends? No. The only time that weekly boarders can stay in the boarding house is if there is as House or School activity or function arranged. Catering, staff and funding arrangements have to be made in advance. These events normally occur on a Friday evening and if the House has not organised a trip for the next day the students are collected by their parents on the Saturday morning. There have been occasions when students have asked to remain in the House or have been returned midway through a weekend purely for personal reasons or parental convenience. Regrettably this is not possible.

16. Employment
Can I get paid employment? Yes. Senior Boarders can work up to 12 hours a week for 6th form. Y11 by agreement with a resident.
How do I go about it? See the Headteacher for a work permit. See one of the resident team to negotiate hours.
When can I work? Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday (not all three!).
Does this include babysitting? Yes. Check that parents have completed the ‘babysitting proforma’. The normal signing in time is to be observed unless you have special permission from the duty VT. As usual, do not come back to the house on your own. You could stay overnight if the correct procedure is
followed.