Harris House Booklet - 2025/26

StatementofBoardingPrinciplesandPractice

ThisstatementshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththeMissionStatementoftheSchool,whichembodiestheoverallaimsandobjectivesof RMSTheSchoolcatersforgirlsaged2–18andtheresidentialdepartmentmeetstheneedsofgirlsagedfrom8–18TheSchooltherefore hasEarlyYears,primary,secondaryandpost16phasesPupilsareadmittedaccordingtotheAdmissionsPolicyoftheSchoolThePreSchoolcatersforgirlsandboysaged2-4.

Full,weeklyandflexi-boardingatRMSofferopportunitiesforgirlsfromtheageofeighttodevelopsocialskillsandpersonal independencewithinacaringandsupportiveresidentialenvironment

RMSprovidesboarderswithavariedrangeofexperienceswithinastructuredframework,sothatgirlslearntobecomeresponsiblefor themselvesandtheirlearningBoardersareencouragedtodevelopgoodpatternsofself-studyandthisisbalancedbymanyopportunities forextracurricularactivity,tocaterfortheinterestsofdifferentgirlsofallages.

Outcomesforboarders

1RMSaimstopromoteboarders’personaldevelopmentbytheirboardingexperienceandthisisapparentinqualitiessuchas confidence,self-reliance,integrityandtolerance

2RMSaimstoensureboardersenjoybeingpartoftheircommunityandmakeapositivecontributiontoit

3.RMSaimstoensureboardershavepleasantandconstructiverelationshipswithoneanotherandwiththeboardingstaff.

4RMSaimstosupportboardersacademicallytoenablethemtoreachtheirfullpotential

Qualityoftheboardingprovisionandcare

1.Boardersarewellcaredforandtheboardingprovisioniseffectiveinsupportingtheirindividualneedsandhelpingthemkeepsafe,fit andhealthy

2Boardersbenefitfromsuitablefacilitiesandopportunitiesforrecreationalanddevelopmentalactivitiesintheeveningandat weekends,includingsufficientself-directedtime

3Boardingaccommodationiscomfortable,secureandwell-maintained

4Boardersareabletomaintainregularcontactwiththeirfamilies,andtheschoolcommunicateseffectivelywithparents,carersand guardians

Theeffectivenessofarrangementsforwelfareandsafeguarding

1ArrangementsareeffectiveinensuringcompliancewiththeNationalMinimumStandardsforBoardingSchools,particularlyinmatters ofsafeguardingboarders’welfare,staffing,managementofbehaviourandpreventionofbullying

Theeffectivenessoftheleadershipandmanagementoftheboardingprovision

1Boardingprioritiesareclearandhousesarewellrun,inlinewiththeaimsoftheSchool,andwithacommitmenttoself-evaluationand improvement

OrganisationofBoarding

Girlsagedbetween8-14liveinHarrisHouse,girlsfrom14-16liveinZetlandHouseandSixthFormboardersareinConnaughtHouse BoardersaregivengreaterfreedomastheyreachYears10&11andSixthForm.Thisgradualacknowledgementofapproaching adulthoodenablesgirlstolearnhowtobalancethedifferentaspectsoflifeSixthFormboarderstakegreaterresponsibilityfor themselves,thuspreparingforlifeatuniversityZetlandandConnaughtHousesarestaffedbyaHousemistress,AssistantHousemistress, HouseTutorandtwoGAPAssistantsHarrisHouseisstaffedbyaHousemistress,HouseParent,HouseTutorandthreeGAPassistants

Housestaffplayacentralroleinthelivesofboardersandstaffareencouragedtotreadacarefullinebetweenfirmnessand approachabilityBoardersshouldbe“athome”intheirhouse,sothattheyfeelsecureandvaluedRMSiscommittedtotheongoing professionaldevelopmentofallstaffsothatboardingstaffarewelltrainedandsupportedtofulfiltheirroleseffectively.Thereisan inductionpolicyforboardingstaffandappraisalproceduresAllHousemistressesmeetweeklywiththeDirectorofBoardingTheDirector ofBoardingmeetsweeklywiththeDeputyHeadPastoralReadycommunicationbetweenboardingstaff,teachingstaff,medicalstaffand theschoolcounsellorwhereappropriateareessentialforthewellbeingofeachboarderThenamesandrelevantqualificationsofthestaff teamaretobefoundonthewebsiteTheHealthCentreisstaffedby2registerednursesOneschoolcounselloroffersappointments specificallyforboardersonenightaweekBoardershaveaccesstoasilentlistener

TheBoardingDepartmentcatersforapproximately100pupilsoneachnightoftheweek.Accommodationtakestheformofsingle,shared roomsandsmalldormitories

TheSchool’sDesignatedSafeguardingLeadistheDeputyHead,AlisonDaviesTheSchool’sDeputySafeguardingLeadsareAssistant Head,DesmondCox,HeadofSeniorSchool,RachelBailey,HeadofSixthForm,ClareFreeman,DirectorofBoarding,FionaJones,Deputy HeadofSixthForm,JennieSimmoniteandHeadofCadoganHouse,MelanieHorn.Thesestaffarealwayscontactableoutofhours.

TheSchooliscommittedtoaccommodatingpupilswithaphysicaldisabilitywherepossible.

HarrisistheboardinghousefortheyoungestboardersatRMS.Providingatrue homefromhomewhereeveryonefeelswelcome,nurturedandsupported.Ithas beenmygreatprivilegeandresponsibilitysinceSeptember2024towelcomeyou intoourcommunity.WhetheryouarejoiningusfromCadoganorSeniorSchool,as afullboarder,flexi-boarder,orweeklyboarder,youareallverywelcome!

ThishandbookwillgiveyouaninsightintohowHarrisHouseworks,whothekey membersofstaffare,andwhatyoucanexpectfromboardingatRMS.Iamhappy toansweranyquestionsyoumaystillhaveafterreadingthis.

Ihavemorethan25yearsteachingexperience,teachingpupilsfromYear5allthe wayuptoYear13.IhavealsospenttimeasaHousemistressandasaHouse Tutor,bothintheUKandoverseas.Forthoseofyoujoiningusfromoverseas,I knowwhatitisliketoliveinanunfamiliarcountry,havingbeenfortunateenough toteachinbothJapanandGermany.Itisbothfrighteningandexcitingatthesame time!

Together,wecanovercomeanyproblemsyoumightexperienceandensureyou loveboardingatRMS.Wewantyoutogetthemostoutofyourtimehere,and wouldurgeyoutotakeasmanyopportunitiesasyoucan.

MsRoughley,theHouseTutors,theGAPAssistantsandmyselfalllookforwardto meetingyouandgettingtoknowyou.

Bestwishes,

MsChristineDoherty

HousemistresstoHarrisHouse cdoherty@rmsforgirls.com

HarrisHouseemailandphonenumber: harris@rmsforgirls.com 07841801089

HarrisHouseStaff,AssistantsandPrefects

MsNaomiRoughley

HouseParenttoHarrisHouse nroughley@rmsforgirls.com

GAPAssistants

IamtheHarrisHouseParentandIspecificallylookafter theprepschoolboarders.Iamresidentintheboarding houseandcanoftenbefoundhelpinggirlslearntoknit andsew.Iampassionateaboutflowersandcreateallthe arrangementsforschoolevents.

MsElisaMartinSevilla

HouseTutor

SpanishTeacherandYear7FormTutor

MissNikitaSullivan

HouseTutor

PALSTeacher

Wecurrentlyhave8GAPAssistantswhoworkacrossallthreeboardinghouses.

BoardinginHarrisHouse

OuraiminHarrisHouseistocreateahomefromhomeforallourboarders. Itisimportantthatthegirlsfeelcomfortableandsettledinthehouse,asthiswill betheirtermtimehomeandtheywillbespendingalotoftheirtimehere!The housestaffarehere,dayandnight,forwhatevertheyneed,beitashouldertocry on,someonetoshoutandrantat,someonetolaughandjokewithorjustsitquietly withus.Wedon’tmindandweareheretohelp.

BoardingPrefects

TheDeputyHeadPupilforboardingleadsateamofprefects.Thesestudentsarein Year13,liveinConnaughtandareallexperiencedboarders.Theirroleisto representboardingwithintheschoolandcultivateaspiritofmutualrespectwithin theentireboardingcommunity.Eachprefecthasresponsibilityforaparticular Housewhichtheyvisiteachweek.Prefectsholdregularmeetingsandarealways partofsocialevents.Thesestudentsareincrediblygoodatlistening,advisingand helpingwithhomesickness.

ImportantInformation

Whatdoyouneedtobringwithyou?

Washitems(includingsanitaryitemsifnecessary)

Pyjamas

Underwear

Dressinggownandslippers

Homeclothesforafterschool,includinganoutfitforformaloccasions

Coat/Jacket

Towels(theseareprovidedbutbringyourownifyouprefer)

Bedsheets,pillowcaseandbottomsheets(theseareprovidedbutbringyour ownifyouprefer)

Cuddlytoy

Picturesoffamilyandthingstodecorateyournoticeboardwith Bookstoreadbeforebed

Stationeryforschool

Netbagsforunderwearwashing

Uniform

Allclothesbroughtfromhomemustbeclearlymarkedwiththepupil’sname. Theschooluniformcanbepurchasedonlinefromtheschool’sofficialsupplier, Schoolblazer.Theuniformcanbedeliveredtoschoolbeforethestartofterm(the secondhanduniformshopinschoolkeepssamplesoftheuniformtotryonfor size).

AllHarrisHouseboardersshouldhaveatleastfourschoolshirtsasthisallowsfor acleanshirttobeworneverydayandotherstobewashedintheschoollaundry andreturned.Youshouldalsohavetwofullsetsofuniform,onetowearandonein thewash.

two

Electronics

Mobilephones,laptops,andtabletsareallowedintheHouse.InYears5-9these itemsarehandedinatnighttomakesurethatyousleepwell;wealsotalktoyou aboutsensibleuseofsuchdevices.

DailyRoutine-MondaytoThursday

6:50am Wakeup

7:20am Gatherbeforebreakfast

7:30am Breakfast

8:15am LeaveforSchool(senior)

4:00pm ReturntotheHouse,changeandhaveasnack

5:50pm Gatherbeforedinner

6:00pm Dinner

7:00pm Prep AlexHouseopenformusicpractice ActivitiesavailableinHarrisHousecommonroom

8:00-9:45pm HandinALLelectronicdevices,quiettime,lightsout

AfternoonRoutine-Friday

4:00pm ReturntoHarrisHouseafterschool,freetime Weeklyboardersleaveforhome

DailyRoutine-Saturday

6:00pm Dinner 6:40pm 8:45pm 8:30am 9:00am 9:45am 12:30p 2:00pm 6:00pm 6:40pm 8:45-1

HandinALLelectrical devices,quiettime, lightsout

11:00am 11:30am 12:15pm 6:00pm

7:00-8:00pm

8:00-9:00pm 8:00-9:45pm

BedtimeRoutine

HandinALLelectrical devices,quiettime, lightsout

SundaytoThursday

FridayandSaturday

Time Electronics Lightsout Electronics Lightsout

8:00pm

8:30pm

HandinginElectronics

Weunderstandtheimportanceofgirlscontactinghomeandencouragethemtodo soasoftenaspossibletokeepincontactwiththeirfamily.However,webelieve thatinordertogetagoodnight’ssleep,allboardersinHarrisHouseshouldhand theirphonesinatleasthalfanhourbeforebed.Thisensuresthatgirlsgetatleast halfanhourofnon-screentimebeforelightsout,whichpromotesbettersleep. Devicesarereturnedafterbreakfastoncethegirlsarereadytogotoschool.

Allelectronicitems(eglaptops,phones,tablets,hairdryers,phonechargersand electronictoothbrushes)arePATtestedeveryyear.Atthebeginningofthe Michaelmasterm,youwillbeaskedtoputalloftheseitemsonyourbed,including extensioncables,tobetested.Ifyoubuyanewelectricalitem,youMUSTtellyour Housemistress.Thiswillthenbetakenandtested.Youwillnotbeallowedtouseit untilthetesthasbeencompleted.Ifanyitemdoesnotpassthetestorisbrokenit willberemovedfromyourroomandgiventoHousestaffwhereitwillbehelduntil youreturnhome.Theywilltellyousoyouareaware.

Weoftenhave'Tech-freeevenings'onWednesdaysfrom7pm.

PersonalPossessions

Mostgirlswillsharearoomwithatleastoneotherpupil Everyonehastheirown personal,lockablecupboardforvaluablesandpersonalpossessions.However,we askthatlargesumsofcashandspendingmoneyaregiventoboardingstafffor safekeeping

WakeUp,MealTimesandPrep

BoardersinHarrisHousearewokenupbythestaffsoyoudonothavetobringan alarmclock,butifyouwishtoyoucan.

Weeatallourmealsintheschooldiningroomwiththerestoftheboarding community.

Prep(homework)isdoneinthePrepRoominHarrisHouse.Thisquiettimeis supervisedbyamemberofstaff,aGAPAssistantandSixthFormstudents,who comeintogiveassistancetotheyoungerboarders.Pupilsareencouragedto completetheirhomeworkonthedayitissetsothattheydonotfallbehind.

EveningActivities

Aftersupperthereareplentyofactivitiesforyoutotakepartin. Forexample:gamenights,tiedye,cupcakemaking,scrunchiemaking,decorating mugs,'JustDance'evening,pizzaevening,tabletennistournament,pompomand garlandmaking,paintingactivitiesanddifferentTaskmaster-stylechallenges. Youwillneverbebored!

ContactingHome

Ifyouhaveyourownmobilephoneorotherdeviceyoucancontacthomeanytime afterschool,exceptduringprep.Weencourageyoutocallhomeortextyour parentseverydaytokeepthemupdatedandletthemknowyouareok!

IfyouareinYears5-6,youcancollectyourdevicebeforebreakfast,ifyouhave time,tosendaquickgoodmorningtextbeforeweeattogether.IfyouareinYears 7-9youwillhavetowaittosendthattextuntilafterbreakfast Callinghomeis easy,howeverifyourdeviceisnotworkingthereisapayphoneintheHouse,or youcanusethephoneintheoffice.

AlexandraHouse(PerformingArtsCentre)

AlexHouseisopenSundaytoThursday evenings,7:00-8:00pmformusicpractice. Boarderswhoplayaninstrumentare encouragedtopracticeasmuchas possibleduringtermandthisis supervisedbyGAPAssistants.

SportsCentreandSwimmingPool

TrampoliningisavailableeveryThursday between7:00-8:00pm.Swimmingis availableeveryMondaybetween 7:00-8:00pm.

WealsohaveaccesstotheSportsCentre atcertaintimesduringthetermtoplaysportsandhavefuntogether.

Meals

Allourmealsareservedinthemainschooldiningroom.Wegouptothedining roomforbreakfastanddinnertogetherasaHouseafteraquickrollcall.

Ourcateringteamisamazingandweworkconstantlywiththemtoprovideyou withtheverybestfood.Eachdayhasadifferentmenuforbreakfastanddinnerand thesemenusarerotatedonathree-weekbasis.Therearetwohotoptions,a vegetarianoption,aveganoption,saladbar,aswellasgluten-freeanddairy-free, massesoffruit,dessertsandyoghurt.Wehavetraditionalroastlunchon Wednesdaysandthemedsuppersthroughouttheyear.

Weekendsareslightlymorerelaxed,onSaturdayswehavebreakfastat9amand onSundayswehaveevenmoreofalieinasbrunchisnotuntil11.30am. OnSundaysbreakfastoptionsarealsoavailableinHarris,suchascerealandtoast, incaseyougethungry.

HarrisHouseKitchen

Thekitcheniswell-stockedwithmilk,bread,cheese,spreadsandbuttersoyoucan makesnacks

AnyfreshfoodthatyoupurchaseandbringintotheHouseshouldbeplacedinthe fridgebutmustfollowthefollowingrules:

1.Allfoodmustbeinasealedbox,labelledandnamed.

2.Ifafooditemhasbeenopenformorethanthreedaysitwillbethrownaway.

3.Allfoodmustbeplacedontherightshelfaccordingtothefoodsafetyposter.

SnackStorage

Weinsistthatgirlsdonotstoresnack foodintheirbedrooms.

Eachgirlwillbegivenaplasticboxto keeptheirsnacksin,whichiskept nexttothehousekitchen,andcanbe freelyaccessedonrequest.

TuckShop

Snacksareavailabletobuytwiceaweekinschool.InHarrisHouse,wehavea selectionofstationeryandpersonalitemstobuy,suchastoothpaste,showergel, etc.

WhocanItalktoifIhaveaproblem?

TherearemanymembersofstaffinHarriswhoarealwaysavailabletolistento anyconcernsorworriesyoumayhave.OurGAPAssistantsareextremelygoodat listeningandareveryeasytotalkto,aswellasMissDohertyandMissRoughley.

Youwillalsohaveyourboardingbuddyonhandtohelpyouout.TheSixthForm boardingprefectsaregreatlisteners,it’sjustliketalkingtoabigsister. Remember,beingaboardermeansyouarepartofonebigfamily-thereisalways someonetochattoaboutabsolutelyanything!

AfterSchoolandWeekendActivities

Therearelotsofactivityoptionsavailableafterschoolandyoucansignupfor theseonMySchoolPortal.WealsorundifferentactivitiesintheHouseafter dinner.

Weekendsarebusy,Saturdaysarefilledwithtripsoractivities.Sundaysoffera chancetorelaxandrechargethebatteriesandcompleteanyhomework

WeoftenwalkintoRickmansworthtog

Previousweekendactivitieshaveinclud

Iceskating

Mocktailmaking

Theatretrips

VisitingLondonmuseums

Cinematrips

Escaperooms

HamptonCourtPalace

WatchinganIceHockeyMatch

Pyjamamaking

Chocolatemaking

Homework

Academicstaffwillsethomeworkaccordingtothetimetable.Thisallowsyouto easilykeepontopofallofyoursubjects.

PupilsinCadoganaresethomeworkonaweeklybasisandareencouragedto spreadtheworkoutovertheweek.Years7and8haveapproximately90minutes, andYear9haveapproximatelytwohours,ofhomeworkeachnight.

HomeworkissetviaGoogleClassroomandthisiseasilyaccessibleonalldevices. Workisalso‘handedin’onGoogleClassroomunlesstoldotherwise.

Whathappensifyouareunwell?

AtRMSwehaveafantasticnursingteam,ledbyNurseBurrows.Thenursingteam isondutythroughouttheschoolday,soifyouarefeelingill,upsetorjustnotquite rightthenyoucanpopupandseethem.

DuringtheeveningeitherMissDohertyorMissRoughleyareondutytohelpwith anyillnessorinjuriesyoumayhave-pleasedocomeandseeus.Whenyouarrive youwillbeshownwheretogoifyouareunwellinthenight Thereisalwaysa memberofstaffondutyandallyouhavetodoissimplyknockonourdoorandwe willbehappytohelpyou.

Medication

BeforeyouarriveatRMSyourparentsorguardianswillhavecompletedand returnedtheschoolmedicalformtotheMedicalCentre.Thiswillhaveallthe informationaboutyourrequirementsonit.Ifyoudoarrivewithanyvitaminsor medications(includingherbalortraditionalmedicines)ournursingteamwillneed toseethem.Thesewillbecollectedonyourfirstday,andreturnedassoonas NurseBurrowshasseenthem.

Thesewillthenbekepteitherinthemedicalcabinetintheofficeforstafftogive you,orlockedinyourroomforyoutotakesensibly.Tokeepmedicationinyour roomthenursewillassessyouandonlyaftertheyhaveagreedmayyoukeep medicationinyourroom.

Wehaveanarrayofmedicationinthemedicalcabinetincludingparacetamol, ibuprofen,piritonandarnicasoyoudonotneedtobringthesewithyou.

FireAlarms

Donotpanic!Onceyouhavesettledinonyourfirstday,wewillwalkyouthrough thefireexitroutes.Overthecourseofeachyearwedoanumberofpractices,day andnight,tomakesurethatyouknowthefireexitrouteandmeetingpointonThe Garth.

HolidayArrangements

Attheendofeachtermandhalftermyouwillreturnhomewithyourparentsor guardians.

Duringtheholidays,thehouseispackedupfullyasotherpeoplewilluseit.This meansthatallofyourbelongingsmustbetakenhomeifyouliveintheUK.Ifyou areanoverseasboarder,youcanstorethreeboxes,onesuitcaseandoneduvet bagusingSchoolTrunk.Unfortunately,wedonothaveenoughspaceforall boarderstoleavetheirbelongings.