Attendance
You must attend at all designated times: a register will be taken at the start of the activity – so you must be on time.
All pupils must take part, as follows:
- Sport: at least two sessions per week; for further details see the school policy on boys’ sporting commitments.
- Wednesday afternoon activity (sports practice/fixture/other activity) in period 7.
- Service activity: compulsory for Third years in Tuesday period 8.
- Lower School: an activity from 2.30 – 3.55 pm (period 7) on Wednesday afternoon and during each of the following lunchbreaks: Monday / Tuesday / Thursday.
- Music groups: regular attendance is expected: a register is taken.
In addition to the above compulsory elements boys are strongly encouraged to take part in at least one non-sporting activity, during lunchtimes and after school.
Some school activities will take place on Saturday mornings, in addition to interschool fixtures on Saturday afternoons.
If you cannot attend an ‘Other Half’ activity due to: a music lesson; an EFL lesson; a Learning Support lesson; a doctor’s appointment; a driving test; travel difficulties, you must see the member of staff before lunchtime, in person; if you cannot do this, then you should email the member of staff at the earliest opportunity. 24 hours’ notice is required as advance warning for Community Service. Many members of staff give up large amounts of time to provide activities for you and you are expected to respond appropriately.
NB: It is your responsibility to attend the activity – or excuse yourself properly (which is common courtesy). Otherwise you must expect a sanction to be applied.
Interschool fixtures
The School has a strong tradition of participating in interschool fixtures across the age ranges. All boys are expected to be available for all fixtures advertised in the calendar unless specific written permission has been sought from, and granted by, the Head. Requests should be made at least one week in advance of the fixture.
The Director of Sport and PE should be copied in on any such leave of absence request. See also point 4 under Sanctions.
Clothing/equipment
- Make sure you are wearing the correct clothing for the particular activity you are doing.
Musicians: make sure you have your instruments and music with you. - If for some reason you do not have your kit that day, you should still attend the session; you can still contribute to the activity: e.g. setting out cones, getting out balls, listening to the rehearsal/coaching session.
- The School has a very clear policy that wearing of a custom-fitted mouth-guard is strongly recommended whilst playing rugby and hockey.
‘Off games’
If you cannot participate because you are ‘off games’ you must excuse yourself in advance. You must present an off games note/letter from parent/Health Centre to the member of staff i/c activity, by lunchtime on the day of the activity. If you are not able to do that you should report to the member of staff at the start of the activity to excuse yourself in person. Sending a message via another pupil will not be acceptable. Depending on the state of injury, you might be able to attend and help out, as above.
As a team player, you should attend the practice, to pick up any coaching points and so that the coach has a chance to talk to you about your likely availability for the next match.
Sanctions
If you fail to excuse yourself properly, in advance, you can expect to receive a sanction; as follows:
- If you fail to attend a compulsory ‘Other Half’ activity (i.e. your chosen sports option or Wednesday afternoon activity in period 7) or if you fail to excuse or account for yourself properly (e.g. if off games), your tutor (and housemaster) will be notified.
If you do not have a valid, acceptable excuse or explanation your housemaster will give you a ‘copy’ to complete; the copy will be the ‘Pupil Guidelines’ in the ‘Other Half’ Activities Booklet. - If you fail to attend a second time (or again fail to excuse or account for yourself) you can expect to be put in a Friday Detention by your housemaster.
- Anyone who infringes subsequently can expect a Head’s Detention.
- These punishments will be adjusted for Lower School and Sixth Form pupils, as appropriate.
- These sanctions are subject to the housemaster’s discretion; they will apply incrementally over the course of one term.
- If you are unable to represent the school in an interschool sports fixture due to unforeseen circumstances, having been selected, you must make contact with the member of staff i/c your team immediately: either in person, or if necessary by email/telephone call on Saturday morning.
If you fail to attend a fixture or fail to excuse yourself in advance the standard sanction is a Friday Detention, authorised by your housemaster.
