Moor Park Boarding

Welcome to the

Boarding House

Summer Term Camp Fire

Boarding at Moor Park is great fun. This induction booklet has been designed by the boarding staff and current boarders to make your introduction to boarding as easy as possible. In it we have included a wide range of information that will help you in your first few weeks but we also provide you with information that is relevant when you change from one year to another. Although we have tried to think of everything that you might need to know it is also important that you know that you can ask anyone for help if you are unsure of something. Have a wonderful time during your stay in the boarding house.

Contents

•Boarding at Moor Park - An introduction

•Induction Programme

•Induction Check List

BOARDING AT MOOR PARK

THIS HANDBOOK IS DESIGNED TO BE A USEFUL GUIDE TO LIFE AS A BOARDER. MUCH OF THE INFORMATION IS WRITTEN BY CURRENT BOARDERS. THERE IS ALSO A VERY DETAILED HAND BOOK IF MORE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED.

ENJOY!

• Meet the Boarding Team

• Activities

• The Dormitories

• Food

• Contacting Home

• Daily Routine

• Exea t and Ha l f - te rm

Holidays

• Healthy Living

• Worries!

• Fire and Security

• “The Big Weekend”

Your guide to boarding at Moor Park

“BOARDING IS LIKE A SLEEPOVER, OVER AND OVER AGAIN” LAURA (Y7)

ACTIVITIES FRIENDS FUN

MOOR PARK

Meet the boarding team.

We have an amazing boarding team

at Moor Park. The next few pages

tell you who will be looking after

you.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO TALK TO, ANY ONE OF THE TEAM IS READY TO HELP.

Here are just some of the activities that the boarders enjoy after supper. We have a wonderful house to play in and 85 acres of beautiful grounds to use.

Spotlight

This is a game we play in the

winter months. Can you evade the

spotlight of the prison guard while

you make your way from one base

to another? If you are spotted it’s

back to the beginning.

Postman Postman is played both in the

summer and winter, inside and

outside. Each player has a pile of

letters to post but they have got to

find where the postboxes have

been hidden. Played in singles, pairs

and threes this is a non-stop game

guaranteed to give you rosy

cheeks.

SIMON GEDYE

SIMON IS THE HEAD OF B O A R D I N G . H E I S A HOUSEPARENT IN THE MAIN HOUSE AND TEACHES YEAR 5 AND YEAR 6. SIMON RUNS T H E B U S Y W E D N E S DAY E V E N I N G A N D T H E GARDENING CLUB.

KATIE GEDYE

KATIE IS HEAD-MISTRESS OF T H E P R E - P R E P A N D A HOUSEPARENT IN THE MAIN HOUSE. SHE WORKS IN THE GIRLS WING ON MONDAY NIGHT. SIMON AND KATIE HAVE 2 CHILDREN, HARRY AND SOPHIE AND A DOG (HOLLY).

LINDA BLOOMFIELDLINDA IS AN A S S I S TA N T HOUSE PARENT AND WORKS ON THE GIRLS’ WING. LINDA HAS HAD 6 CHILDREN AT MOOR PARK SO KNOWS J U S T W H A T M A K E S BOARDING THE BEST IT CAN BE.

Trash Fashion

It’s amazing what you can make out of newspapers, bin bags, Sellotape and your imagination. Always guaranteed to have everyone having a really fun evening.

WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP Y O U E N J O Y Y O U R BOARDING EXPERIENCE AT MOOR PARK

Swimming When we use the pool all the

floats and balls are brought out.

Games of water polo and tag are

great fun. In the summer all the

windows on the pool walls are

opened so it is like an outdoor

pool.

Capture the Flag The school grounds are perfect for

this game. We usually play in the

Summer term. There are two

teams and you have to defend your

flag while trying to capture your

opponent’s flag. If you find the flag

you need to bring it back to your

base without being tagged. It is

great fun and very tiring.

NAYNNE ROBERTS

NAYNNE IS A HOUSE PARENT AND RUNS THE BOYS’ WING. SHE WAKES THE BOYS UP WITH POP MUSIC AND LIKE LINDA IS ON DUTY IN THE SICK BAY DURING THE DAY.

JEAN-MICHEL COLLIN

J E A N - M I C H E L R U N S THURSDAY EVENINGS AND ASSISTS IN THE BOYS’ WING. HE IS THE DEPUTY HEAD AND MASTER IN CHARGE OF ACTIVITIES.

Movie Nights

Once a term we have a movie

night. We use the seating that is

being prepared for a play so it is

just like being in the cinema. Hot

dogs, nachos with runny cheese,

pop corn, fizzy drinks, pick-and-mix

and ice-cream tubs make it just like

the real thing.

IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED - ASK.

Wii Sing, Dance and Sports Wii gives us all sorts of fun. We

have singing battles and dance-offs

and generally a big laugh. All year

groups enjoy playing and all play

together.

Smuggler This is another game that can be

played inside or outside. One team

are smugglers and another are

coastguards. Smugglers have to try

to take coins from one base to

another without being caught by a

coastguard. If the coastguard finds

the coin the smuggler has to return

to their base and start again. If,

after 30 seconds, the coastguard

does not find the coin the

smuggler can keep going. After 20

minutes the teams swap over, with

the overall winner being the team

that smuggled the most coins.

JAMES DUFFIELD

JAMES IS THE HOUSE PARENT IN THE TREE HOUSE. HE IS ALSO HEAD OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL. JAMES IS A MOOR PARK OLD BOY AND IS FAMOUS FOR HIS BINGO NIGHTS.

LIZZIE DUFFIELD

LIZZIE IS A HOUSEPARENT IN THE TREE HOUSE. SHE AND JAMES HAVE TWINS, CHARLOTTE AND ALFIE.

Network Games

These games are played in our two

computer rooms. We play games

against our friends. We can also

listen to music or use the ICT

rooms to catch up on prep. We

cannot watch some channels, such

as youtube, as they are blocked.

IF YOU JUST WANT A QUIET NIGHT THAT’S FINE TOO

Bingo Night Not just for retired people! We

love bingo at Moor Park. Mr D is

the caller and uses all sorts of

special effects and music to build

the excitement. There are loads of

prizes to be won and everyone has

a great time.

Cockey Olly Some of you will know this game

as Kick the Can or 40/40 but at

Moor Park we call it Cocky Olly.

One person is on and comes to

find everyone else who is hiding.

They have to try to sneak past the

seeker to get to the home base. If

they are spotted then a race back

to the home base sees either a

capture or a release. Captured

hiders remain in ‘prison‘ until they

are released by a runner reaching

home base before the seeker.

CHARLOTTE

C H A R L O T T E W I L L B E SPENDING HER GAP YEAR AT MOOR PARK. SHE IS FROM GERMANY.

LUCY SEWELL

LUCY RUNS THE BOYS’ WING ON THURSDAY EVENINGS WHEN SHE SERVES HER SPECIAL SMOOTHIES. LUCY IS A MUSICIAN AND LOVES S I N G I N G . S H E A L S O ORGANISES ‘MOOR PARK‘S GOT TALENT’

BECKY MINOGUE

BECKY WORKS ON THE GIRLS’ WING ON TUESDAY NIGHTS. BECKY IS ALSO THE HEADMASTER’S WIFE!

DVD Night

On some nights we get changed

into our PJs straight after supper

and head to the library to watch a

DVD. After supper you hear the

thud of feet as everyone charges

towards the library to get the best

spot or biggest cushion. Sometimes

Mr Gedye appears with bowls full

of popcorn or bags of sweeties.

OUR GAPPIES ARE HERE TO HELP YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME AS A BOARDER

Fire Flies We p l ay t h i s g ame i n t he

Michaelmas and Lent terms as we

need it to be very dark. Each team

of players (4) have a Torch and try

to find the hundreds of lollipop

sticks hidden outside in the

grounds. Each stick has a luminous

end to help you find them. When

we start the game it looks amazing

as you see hundreds of twinkling

‘fire flies’ spread across the fields.

Look out for the coloured sticks as

they are worth 5 points. Happy

hunting!

Dodge Ball You’ve seen the film (maybe) now

play the game. Can you throw a

sponge ball to hit one of your

opponents. If you do, they are out,

but if they catch the ball you have

to retire. Watch your back as the

balls come from all angles. The first

team to tag every opponent wins.

LIAM

L I A M I S O N E O F O U R F A N TA S T I C G A P Y E A R STUDENTS. HE IS FROM AUSTRALIA AND WILL BE WITH US UNTIL DECEMBER.

GINNY

GINNY IS ALSO ONE OF OUR F A N TA S T I C G A P Y E A R STUDENTS. SHE IS FROM AUSTRALIA AND WILL BE WITH US UNTIL DECEMBER.

SARAH DIPPER

CATERING MANAGER. DIP AND THE THOMAS FRANKS TEAM PREPARE ALL THE DELICIOUS FOOD THAT WE EAT.

Pairs and Triples Hide and Seek.

You have played hide and seek but

at Moor Park we play it with a

difference. Not only do you have to

find someone but also one specific

person. The players are split into

two groups. Each player in a group

is given a card with one half of a

well known pair on it. (e.g. Coca).

Someone in the hiding group has a

card with Cola on it. Once you

have found your pair you hurry

back to the front hall to see if you

have won. Triples works in a similar

way with two hiders (e.g. Tom has

to find Dick and Harry). Are there

prizes? Of course there are!

85 ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS

Water Slide One slope, lots of washing up

liquid, a hose and 25 metres of

black plastic sheeting. That can only

mean the best water slide ever.

And also.....

Table Tennis

Football

Frisbee

Cricket nets

Golf

Tennis

Gardening

Bootball

Board Games

Assault course

Zumba

USE YOUR IMAGINATION AT MOOR PARK TO HAVE THE BEST BOARDING EXPERIENCE EVER

The Girls’ Wing

DURING YOUR TIME AT MOOR PARK YOU WILL PROBABLY SLEEP IN EVERY DORM

Our Dorms are called:

SavannahHepburnHigh StreetNightingaleRoseMelodyHolly BlueMadison

The Boys’ Wing

WICKET

AVALANCHE

PIRATE

REDWOOD

DURING YOUR TIME AT MOOR PARK YOU WILL PROBABLY SLEEP IN EVERY DORM

JUNGLE

FOUNTAIN

MONTMORENCY

SNACKS

Despite having breakfast, a

mid-morning snack, lunch,

afternoon tea and supper

we know that children are

always hungry!

When you have finished

your evening activities and

have come up to the

dorms for a shower you

will then be able to have a

snack before bed-time.

There is always fresh fruit

and toast but we also offer

a range of snacks as can

be seen from the selection

in the list on this page.

Each week we also have

“Snack Attack”. Every

w e e k t h e r e i s t h e

opportunity for a snack to

be requested.

W h a t w o u l d y o u

choose?

BOYS AND GIRLS NEVER GO HUNGRY AT MOOR PARK

EVENING SNACKS

1. CHEESE TOASTIES

2. CUP CAKES

3. POP CORN

4. HOT CHOCOLATE

5. MILK SHAKES

6. CHEESE CRACKERS

7. SMOOTHIES

8. BISCUITS

9. WAFFLES

10. CARROT AND DIPS

SWEETSIf you bring in sweets

hand them to the Assistant Houseparent who will allow you to

eat them at the weekends.

We always share our sweets with our

friends.(no nuts and no

chewing gum please)

THE BIG WEEKEND

Once a t e rm Moor Pa rk

w e e k e n d s b e c o m e “ B i g

Weekends”. Instead of going

home on Saturday up to 60 flexi

and weekly boarders stay at

school to enjoy an action packed

night. As you can see from the

list, each weekend has a theme

and activities are organised to fit

the theme. Fancy dress is

encouraged and everyone has a

fantastic time. To see more

p i c t u re s p l e a se v i s i t ou r

boarders‘ blog.

Weekends at Moor Park are “Big Weekends”

A HISTORY OF THE BIG WEEKEND

1. DODGE BALL AND CAMP

FIRE

2. MASTER CHEF

3. THE CUBE

4. WILD WEST

5. H20

6. WORLD RECORDS

7. CAMOUFLAGE

8. BOLLYWOOD

9. MAKING MOVIES

10. 10 GREAT EVENTS

11.CAMO II

12. NERF WARS

13. BAKE OFF

14. WILD WEST II

15. CAMO III

16. FRIGHT NIGHT

17. DUDE PERFECT

18. CAMO IV

19. NERF WARS II

20.THE CRYSTAL MAZE

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FEEL ILL WHILE I AM AT SCHOOL?

We are here to help you

so if you feel unwell, what

ever the time of night or

day, tell someone. We have

a sickbay where you will be

looked after by one of the

b o a rd i n g t e a m . Yo u r

parents will be informed.

THE FOLLOWING STAFF LOOK AFTER THE HEALTH CARE OF OUR BOARDERS.

NAYNNE ROBERTS (HEALTH MANAGER)

LINDA BLOOMFIELD (ASSISTANT HOUSE PARENT - GIRLS)

LESLEY BROWNE

SIMON GEDYE (HEAD OF BOARDING)

There is a set routine for the boarders to follow, including a normal day and evening procedure.

Monday - Friday 07.00 Wake up call07.35 Breakfast

08.20 Registration in classroom

08.30-10.15 Lessons

10.20 Prayers Monday: Headmaster’s ChapelFriday: Headmaster’s Assembly

10.30-11.00 1st break

11.00-12.45 Lessons

12.45-13.40 Lunch break

13.40-16.20 Lessons, Games & Free Time

16.25-17.10 PrepActivities for Y3

17.10-18.00 Activities for Ys 4-8Year 3 boarders are looked after by the Tree House houseparent or assistant houseparent

18.00 Supper

18.30 Evening Prayers

18.40 Activities for Y3 – Y7 boarders18.40 3rd Prep for Year 8

19.15 Additional activities for Y8

19.30 Bedtime Routine Starts. All boys and girls have 15 minutes quiettime in their beds before lights out so that they can read.

20.15 Y5 Lights out20.45 Y6 Lights out21.00 Y7 Lights out21.15 Y8 Lights out

Where should I be and when?

At the beginning of every

term we have a fire practice when we all go up to the

dorms and use different

escape routes. We also have

a practice when we are all

asleep. There is no need to worry about this as there

are lots of people to help

you and it is easy to get

back to sleep when it is

finished. Some children try to get dressed into their

school uniform because they

think it is morning time!

One of the reasons you must bring in slippers and a

dressing gown is in case

there is a fire.

We also have a door

security system which helps keep us safe at night. Once

we are in bed the exit door

alarms and fire escape

windows are armed. If some

one opens the door the House parent pagers are set

off. - so sadly we can’t sneak

downstairs to raid the

kitchen!

FIRE! & YOUR SECURITY

WE HAVE A FIRE PRACTICE EVERY TERM SO THAT YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO

PRESS IF YOU NEED HELP

ALARMS

ALARMS

ESC APE

Monday to Friday

As well as your own mobile

phones and Skype devices we

also have incoming telephone

lines and one telephone to call

out. A boarding ipad also gives

you access to Skype/Facetime.

You may use the telephones

after you have had your

shower. I t i s , however,

important that telephones do

not dominate your life. If you

are one of our overseas

boarders mixing with the

English boys and girls will help

you to make friends and will

improve your English very

quickly. We recommend that

you call home no more than

once during the week and

once at the weekend. This will

help you settle in much more quickly.

Using phones and tablets - rules and advice

Sundays Your telephone will be available after breakfast from 9.45am - 10am. We then go to Mass, followed by an excursion. When we return to school you will have access to your phones after supper until bedtime.

Offline Nights Pup i l s and pa ren t s a re requested to try to avoid telephone and text contact on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday nights. This helps children to par t i c ipa te fu l l y i n any activities and the routines of boarding life free from the expectation of a telephone call.

MOBILE PHONES AND ELECTRONIC GADGETS

Playing Games During the week playing games on your phones and tablets is not allowed. At weekends we are happy for you to play games but restrict the amount of time that you can play (just like Mum and Dad!)

How do your parents contact you?

Each boarding house has 2

incoming telephone lines. The boys

and girls start to come up onto

each wing from 7.30pm

The numbers are;

Girls

+44 (0)1584 871 504

+44 (0)1584 871 505

Boys

+44 (0)1584 871 502

+44 (0)1584 871 503

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOUR PARENTS ONLY CALL ONCE OR TWICE EACH WEEK TO HELP YOU SETTLE IN AND TO ALLOW YOU TIME TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS.

If your parents are having problems contacting the boarding house the Houseparents number is:

+44 (0)1584 872 435

RAFAEL

I AM IN YEAR 7 AND USUALLY SPEAK TO MY PARENTS TWICE A WEEK . THE BEST PART OF BOARDING IS SPENDING TIME WITH MY NEW FRIENDS SO I DO NOT LIKE TO CALL HOME TOO MUCH. IT IS EASY TO CONTACT HOME IF I NEED TO AND MY PARENTS CALL ME ON THE INCOMING PHONE.

PABLO

I STARTED AT MOOR PARK IN SEPTEMBER AND I AM IN YEAR 8.

I DO NOT HAVE A MOBILE PHONE SO I USE THE SCHOOL PHONES. I HAVE A BQ TABLET WHICH ALLOWS ME TO SKYPE AND PLAY GAMES AT THE WEEKEND. I SPEAK TO MY PARENTS EVERY WEEKEND AND SOMETIMES DURING THE WEEK. WHEN WE SPEAK I HAVE LOTS OF NEWS TO SHARE WITH THEM.

ANNA

I HAVE BEEN AT MOOR PARK FOR 4 TERMS AND I AM IN YEAR 6. I HAVE A MOBILE PHONE BUT KEEP FORGETTING TO SWITCH IT ON! I SKYPE MY PARENTS IN MOSCOW WHICH I ENJOY BECAUSE I CAN SEE THEM. I AM SO BUSY HAVING FUN IN THE EVENINGS THAT IT IS EAS IER TO SPEAK AT THE WEEKEND.

Are you …..

WORRIED, CONCERNED or UPSET?

Then speak to someone……

a teacher, one of the boarding team, your parents…

Or you may want to contact:

Childline 0800 1111 The Office of The Children’s Commissioner 0800 528 0731

Independent Listener, Marion Badham 07947 806 186 Father Chris 01584 872 906

EXEAT

EXEAT WEEKENDS START AT 4.30PM ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND BOARDERS MAY RETURN AT 6PM ON SUNDAY EVENING.

BOARDERS MAY EITHER GO HOME OR, AS IS THE CASE FOR OUR OVERSEAS BOARDERS, SPEND A WEEKEND WITH A FRIEND.

HALF-TERM

THE SCHOOL CLOSES FOR A WELL EARNED REST AND THEREFORE ALL BOARDERS NEED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO RETURN HOME.

CHILDREN WHO ARE FLYING HOME ARE ABLE TO USE OUR TAXI SERVICE TO TRANSPORT THEM TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT.

OVERSEAS BOARDERS ARE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE FLIGHT DETAILS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE BEGINNING OF TERM.

END OF TERM

TERM ENDINGS DIFFER DEPENDING UPON WHICH TERM IT IS.

ALL TERMS FINISH ON A FRIDAY.

MICHAELMAS FINISHES AFTER THE CAROL SERVICE.

LENT FINISHES QUIETLY AT 4.30PM.

SUMMER FINISHES AFTER PRIZE GIVING.

What happens at Exeat, Half-term and the End of Term?

Your Induction Programme

Routine in the morning

Timings - When to get up, breakfast, registrationJobs - before and after breakfast

Routine in the evening

When and where is supper?

What happens after supper?

When to come upstairs?

When do we shower?

What if I am still hungry?

When can I call home?

When do I go to bed?

Expectations

Treat everybody with respectDon’t go into other people’s propertyQuieten down once other children have gone to bedUse common sense

Sweets, Treats and valuables

What do I do if I have money, sweets,

passports and anything of value?

Who can help me if I have a problem?

Who is on duty in the boarding house? What should you do if you have a problem?Who do I contact in the night?

Expensive Equipment

Am I allowed a mobile phone or ipad?Where do I keep it?What are the rules?

Contacting Home

What phones are available and where?When can phones be used?

Complaints and suggestions

If you have a complaint or a suggestion about

anything what can you do?

School Uniform

Spare clothingWash BagsEvening clothes

Fire Alarm

What should you wear

Evacuation routes

Location or muster point and what to do on

arrival

Fire practices

Some other things to know

Can I go on to the wing during the day?What happens at weekends?

Hints and Tips for starting boarding…

• Feel free to bring your own duvet, pillows, duvet cover, and blanket. It will make your bed seem more like home.

• Bring posters to brighten up your dorm. • Remember your slippers and dressing gown for your dorm. • Bring a small selection of things you enjoy from home; a book,

magazine, ipod with headphones, cuddly toy, pack of cards. You will have some time in your dorm in the evening to entertain yourselves.

• Name everything!! It is the only way to ensure things don’t get lost. • Bring only what it says on the packing list – we have no space to

store extra clothes and shoes etc. • Your mobile is only for phone calls - No Games! No Internet! No

Pictures! No video!

• How can you help us? – Do the right thing at the right time! Respect each other’s spaces! Keep your area tidy!

• Please Do Not bring – TUCK!!, Ipod Docks or other electrical items.

• We are all here to help!! Please do ask if there is anything you are not sure about.