A very warm welcome to you. We are delighted you are joining The Digby, and we hope it quickly becomes a place where you feel truly at home. Boys who pass through The Digby go on to do remarkable things, shaped by the values we try to live by here, and in time, you will too.
This booklet will give you a flavour of life in the house.
The Digby sits just five minutes from the main campus, close enough to be part of everything, far enough to give you a proper sense of independence and somewhere to call home at the end of the school day. We’re lucky to have our own garden, the lawn, along with the bargeyard, where boys of every age come together for touch rugby, football, or practice their golf drive.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the vertical nature of the house. Older and younger boys mix freely here, in the common spaces, on the lawn, at snack time. It means younger boys have role models close at hand, older boys take on real responsibility, and everyone benefits from friendships that cross year groups rather than stay confined within them. Whatever you achieve, whether it’s a try scored, a part learned for the school play, a grade you worked hard for, or a kind action done for someone else, the whole house notices and the whole house celebrates it with you. Big or small, your successes belong to all of us.
We take pride in Inter-House competitions, and we want every boy to bring real commitment to whatever he chooses to pursue here, be it sport, Music, Drama, Art, or his academic work. Commitment of that kind takes a bit of discipline, showing up, trying your best, seeing things through, and that’s exactly the habit we hope you’ll build during your time with us. Outside of work, we’d much rather see you outside playing with your housemates than on a screen.The Digby is a special and happy place, and we hope you’ll settle in quickly and feel like part of the family before long. You won’t remember everything from this booklet, and that’s fine; just remember that you can always ask if you’re ever unsure.
Mr Allen Housemaster
Top Tips
• Arrive promptly to all your commitments
• Check your email twice a day
• Keep valuable items locked away – this is a good habit to get into for later life
• Only enter another boy’s room when they are present and if they are happy for you to be there
• Go to all School meals – they have already been paid for
• Eat cooked food in the communal kitchen areas – this is sociable and more hygienic
• When playing outside in the bargeyard or in the garden please be considerate to our neighbours with regard to the noise you make, the language you use and where you kick the balls
• When using kitchen areas, keep them clean and tidy so that they are ready for others
• Keep noise to a minimum in House after 10.00pm
• Keep your room tidy, do your bedding properly each week and stay on top of your laundry
• Dress smartly and appropriately during School hours and for School commitments
• Remember to phone home regularly, even just to say ‘hi’
• Treat others as you would like to be treated
• Recycle where you can
Housemaster
Housemaster
Mr Allen
This is Mr Allen’s second year as Housemaster of The Digby, having recently been confirmed in the role on a permanent basis, and he is looking forward to welcoming you to the boarding house.
Mr Allen joined Sherborne as Head of Physical Education. Before moving into teaching, he spent ten years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in professional rugby, working primarily with Gloucester Rugby, London Irish and the London Broncos. During this time he also worked with the England Senior Men’s Rugby team under Martin Johnson, supporting Autumn International campaigns and touring Argentina. He studied Sport Science at the University of Bath, went on to complete a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and trained as a teacher with a PGCE from the University of Buckingham.
Outside the classroom he remains closely involved in rugby and coaching, drawing on his background in elite sport, and leads Sherborne’s recreational ski trips. He has a particular interest in coaching philosophy and character development, and is a firm believer
in the “Next Play” mindset, encouraging boys to learn from setbacks and move forward with purpose.
Mr Allen lives in The Digby with his wife, Bea; their three children, Ada, Quinn and Otis; and their German Shorthaired Pointer puppy, Maisie. Mr Allen is in charge of the day to day running of the House and he will keep you updated on all aspects of School and House life. He is always there if you have any questions or problems you want to discuss.
It is best to speak to Mr Allen in person but he can also be contacted via email: barnaby.allen@sherborne.org or call his mobile: 07850 653400 (you should add this to your contacts if you have a phone). The House office numbers are 01935 810170 and 07818 496657.
House Staff
Matron
Georgie MacDonald
(Who you can call Matron Georgie)
Her primary aim is to ensure that every boy feels safe, supported, and part of one big family in The Digby. Whether you need medical assistance, a sympathetic ear, or just a quick chat, she is here for you. For Georgie creating a homely and nurturing environment is a priority, and it is important to know that her door is always open. If you feel unwell or homesick, please find her at any time. Similarly, if you’d just like a catch up, or simply to talk things through, then please do pop into her office, which is on the ground floor over-looking the garden. She is looking forward to getting to know you and making The Digby a place you can truly call home.
Assistant Matron
Mrs Sue Edwards Sue has worked at The Digby for many years and looks after the laundry, and together with Matron will take you to any medical or dental appointments you may have. Sue will look after you when Matron is off duty and is also there if you want a chat or a biscuit. You will find her in the laundry in the mornings.
Mrs Emma Fielding
Emma joined The Digby last year as Assistant Matron, supporting Georgie and Sue with the day to day running of the boarding house. Before moving into pastoral care, Emma spent over 25 years as cabin crew with British Airways, travelling the world and developing a wealth of experience in looking after people. More recently she worked as a Matron at Sherborne Girls, bringing with her a real understanding of boarding life. Emma is looking forward to getting to know you during your time in The Digby.
Assistant Housemaster
Mr Krige
Mr Krige teaches Business and Enterprise but you will see him most often on the sports pitches. From rugby to cricket, hockey to the gym and few more things in between you’ll likely have a sports session with him sometime, somewhere. Around the house you will usually find him in the garden playing with his dog Thatcher or joining in with the evening’s activities.
Mr Krige’s email is jake.krige@sherborne.org.
Resident Tutor
Mr Farrell
Mr Farrell is the School’s Head of Athletic Development and 1st XV Forwards Coach. If he is not in the Performance Gym, there is a good chance he is out on the rugby pitch. Rugby is his passion, but he enjoys being involved in all areas of sport and helping boys get the very best out of themselves. Mr Farrell lives in the house with his wife Georgina, their son Morris and their fluffy black cat, Mora. Around the house you will often find him with a coffee in hand, chatting with the boys about sport, school or life in general. The relationships he builds with the boys are his favourite part of the job, and he is always happy to lend an ear, offer advice or simply have a catch-up.
Mr Farrell’s email is Christopher.farrell@ sherborneboys.group
Tutors, Domestic Staff and Prefects
Tutors
Each of you will have a personal tutor. Tutors help you navigate the challenges of Sherborne, but also help with the running of the House. You will see different tutors in The Digby each evening.
Domestic Staff
You will learn to appreciate the work of the domestic staff who work hard to keep The Digby looking immaculate. Not only do they do a superb job of cleaning the House but they are also on hand at House events such as the Christmas supper and the Commem lunch. Remember to respect the work that they do and that they are not there to clean up after you.
Prefects
The Prefects are Sixth Form boys who support Mr Allen in the running of the House. They are there to help you and to oversee duties (boys are on a rota to help with the cleaning of the House before bedtime). Each boy will have vertical “Family” group assigned to him to help them settle in. This will consist of boys from each year group.
Bertie Burrell
Toby Charles (Head of House)
Arthur Dunning
Joe Ellison
Alf Martin
Mortimer Menzel
Gabriel Muir
Charlie Redman
Digby Skinner
Max Thorburn
Jamie Till
Raff Wood
House Facilities
The Digby has a fantastic kitchen you can use to make drinks and snacks. There are toasters, bread and spreads available every day, but we do insist you eat the School meals in the Dining Hall. When using the kitchen, clear up after yourself and put dirty crockery in the dishwasher. There is a seating area at which to sit, watch the TV and chat to your housemates.
The Third Form and Fourth Form have dayrooms to do your Hall in and relax in when you are not working. There is a House library in the Tutor Room which has a range of books for you to borrow and a space to play a host of board games.
We have a JCR (Junior Common Room) with settees, a large screen TV, and a gaming TV and games console which all year groups can use.
We have a games room with pool table, table tennis and table football, which is open to all years.
We have a lovely garden with footballs and rugby balls and a croquet set for you to use. There are also a couple of picnic tables if you want to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine whilst you read or just chat with your friends.
The bargeyard can be used when the grass is too wet to play on, it has a couple of football goals and like the garden, is enjoyed by all age groups.
The SCR (Senior Common Room) is as described, for the Sixth Form and has its own kitchen area and TV. We also have a full size competition snooker table!
School Timetable
School periods Monday to Friday (Third Form)
Period 1 8.30 – 9.15am
Period 2 9.20 – 10.05am
Period 3 10.10 – 10.55am
Break 10.55 – 11.25am
Period 4 11.25 – 12.10pm
Period 5 12.15 – 1.00pm
Lunch 1.00 – 1.30pm
Q Time (Period 6) 1.35 – 2.30pm
Period 7 2.35 – 3.20pm (Tues & Fri only)
Period 8 3.25 – 4.10pm (Tues & Fri only)
Period 9 4.15 – 5.00pm (Tues & Fri only)
Games 2.35 – 5.00pm (Mon & Thurs)
Abbey Services
Wednesday 6.30 – 7.00pm
Sunday 7.45 – 8.30pm
Saturday
Period 1 8.30 – 9.15am
Period 2 9.20 – 10.05am
Period 3 10.10 – 10.55am
Break 10.55 – 11.25am
Lunch 12.15 – 1.20pm
Games/matches 1.45 – 5.00pm
Assemblies (8.10 – 8.25am)
Monday Whole School Assembly (BSR)
Tuesday Lower School Assembly (Powell Theatre)
Thursday Sixth Form Assembly (Powell Theatre)
Friday Junior Chapel (Chapel)
Meal Times
Breakfast 7.30 – 8.25am
Lunch 1.00 – 1.30pm
Senior Supper 6.00 – 6.25pm
Junior Boys Supper 6.30 – 6.55pm
Careers Department 01935 810545
Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England 0800 528 0731
www.childrenscomissioner.gov.uk
Learning Support 01935 810528
Designated Safeguarding Officers
Lead - Mr Sheffield - 01935 810427
Deputies - Mrs Bowerman - 01935 810432
Mrs Hutchings - 01935 810539
Mr McGuire - 07850 653 394
DSL@sherborne.org
Mrs Kershaw - 01935 8 c
Independent perso
SUPPORT, GUIDANCE
are willing to help you. All boys can use these services, but, in some cases, people to check on availability. School Doctors Drs Nickinson, Armitage and Nickinson 01935 872530
Your Day
Monday to Friday
7.30am Wake up bell and morning routine check begins
7.50am All to be up & out of the house with beds made
10.55am – 11.25am Break – snack by Matron’s office
6.00pm – 6.25pm Senior supper
6.30pm – 6.55pm Junior supper
7.00pm Assembly
7.00pm – 8.45pm Hall
9.15pm Third Form up to dormitory and lights out at 9.45pm
10.00pm Fourth Form lights out
10.30pm Fifth Form lights out
10.30pm Sixth Form in their studies.
Additional times
Wednesdays: 6.30pm – Abbey Service (Supper from 5.30pm)
Saturdays: 5.30pm – Roll Call and Assembly
Sundays: 10.00am Everyone Up; 11.00am – 12noon Hall
7.00pm – Roll Call and Assembly; 7.00pm – 8.00pm Hall
House Charity
The Digby supports the School in a Bag Charity.
This fabulous charity aims to transform lives through education. By providing the essentials needed for a school day, children in Low Income Countries are able to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves, eat, drink and above all, learn. Through a range of initiatives the boys in the Digby have supported this wonderful charity.
House Socials and Trips
House socials for Third, Fourth and Fifth Form are held throughout the year where you will be invited to Sherborne Girls and vice versa, they shall be invited to The Digby. You will be expected to host your guests. Matron provides pizza and drinks for you part way through the evening. Typical House trips include: a trip to Air Hop, a rugby match, a trip to the Christmas markets, and paintball. The Sixth Form also go to various events but most of their socials are held outside of House.
Sherborne Terminology
Many abbreviations and acronyms are used within the School community. You will find the below useful:
• Hall – Homework and prep time. Hall time is between 7.05 – 8.45pm
• Blues – The uniform worn by the Lower School (Third, Fourth and Fifth Form)
• Lists – Whole School presentation of prizes and awards at the end of each term
• Carey’s – The sports fields south of Horsecastles Road
• The Upper – 1st XV Rugby and 1st XI Cricket pitch
• The Lower – 2nd XV Rugby pitch below the Upper
• Upper Astro – Astroturf next to the Upper
• Carrington Building – Geography, Economics and Business Studies
• Hughie Holmes – Astroturf across the road from the Upper and Lower and next to Carey’s
• The Grove – Modern Foreign Languages block and computer rooms (G9 and G11)
• Pilkington Labs – Chemistry and Physics Laboratories
• Turing Block – Biology department
• Health Centre – School medical centre, with full time nurses and visiting doctors
• BSR – Big School Room; function room for whole School assemblies, lectures, lists and musical and drama productions
• OSR – Old School Room; the School’s original school room adjacent to School House
• Courts – The central courtyard of the School containing the English, Classics, Maths and History classrooms as well as the Library and Custos.
• Custos – School Security team based in The Lodge at the main gate to the Courts
• Bow House – Staff Room
• School Shop – You can buy school uniform, sport equipment, stationery, cards and other essential items.
• Abbots Acre – External Relations department and conference room
• Powell Theatre – The majority of School and House plays take place here, also some lectures and year group meetings
• SG – Sherborne Girls
• The Carmen – The School song
• VES – Values, Expectations and Standards: a document that details how we should conduct ourselves
a School House
b Abbey House
c The Green
d Harper House
f Abbeylands
g Lyon House
m The Digby
Frequently Asked Questions
How much homework will I be set in the Third Form?
Usually in the Third Form you will be set one Hall per subject per week. There is a timetable that tells you when Hall should be completed by. It is definitely a good idea to try and complete your Hall on the night they were set in order to avoid getting a backlog of Hall.
Can I bring things from home to make my room feel my own?
Yes — please do. The boarding House is your home, and we’d strongly encourage you to bring along the things that make your space feel comfortable and personal, whether that’s posters, photographs or a few favourite belongings from home.
How much money do I need in Third Form?
Generally speaking in Third Form you don’t need that much money at all. You should have a bank account with a debit card attached to it and about £10 will be sufficient as an allowance each week. You shouldn’t have large amounts of money simply in your wallet or in an unsecure place.
When can I phone or message my parents, and how does my phone work in the House?
You’ll have your phone for 30 minutes each evening, which gives you a good chance to call or message home. This is the same right through the junior school, from Third to Fifth Form. At weekends you’ll have your device for a little longer, within clear, set time frames. Of course, if you ever need to speak to your parents or family outside those times, you’ll always be able to — just have a word with a member of the House team. And if your family live in a different time zone, we’ll make sure suitable arrangements are in place so that staying in touch is never a problem..
When can I visit friends in other Houses, and at Sherborne Girls?
You can visit friends in other Houses, and over at Sherborne Girls, outside of lesson times — at break, lunch, after School and at weekends. This is something we really encourage and value, and boys from other Houses are just as welcome to come and see you. When you visit, simply sign in and out and make yourself known to the Matron or Housemaster; the same applies when friends come to your House. You’ll get to know more of the girls over the course of the year through socials, and you can visit them in their Boarding House Common Room in your free time outside the normal working day. Wherever you go, you’re expected to display the highest standard of conduct.
When do I get to go home?
Generally there is an Exeat either side of half term in each of the three School terms, the dates of these are published on the School website. For an Exeat boys are free to go home after their last school commitment on a Friday afternoon and return to the House by 9.00pm on Sunday
night. Boys can also be granted leave to go home on a weekend if they have an important commitment to make or family occasions e.g. birthdays and weddings.
How do I know when my team practices, fixtures and other commitments are?
Everything appears on your School ‘Socs’ calendar, which you’ll have access to in your first week. It brings your whole timetable together in one place — lessons, team practices, fixtures and all your other cocurricular commitments — so you’ll always know where you need to be and when.
What is there to do at the weekend?
There’s always plenty going on. On Saturday, lessons finish at 11am and the afternoon is given over to a full sporting programme, followed in the evening by a social programme with Sherborne Girls — discos, house swaps and a range of other activities. Sunday is more relaxed: you get a lie-in, and there’s usually a trip on offer, whether that’s a water park, a sports fixture or somewhere further
afield. The ‘Sherborne menu’ is available too. You’ll also have full access to the Sports Centre, Music and Art, as well as plenty of time to relax and see your friends, either in town or over in another House.
What do I do if I feel homesick, unwell, or I’m finding things hard?
The most important thing to know is that you are never on your own. Our boarding Houses are hugely supportive places, with help on hand 24 hours a day. Whatever you’re facing — feeling homesick, feeling unwell, or simply finding something difficult — there is always someone to turn to.
If you’re homesick, it’s really important not to bottle it up. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about and it happens to far more boys than you’d think — and it almost always passes. If you’re feeling unwell, go and see Matron, who will give you the care you need or send you on to the Health Centre, where a doctor visits every weekday morning. And if something else is on your mind, however big or small, you can always talk it through.There are
so many people here to look after you and for you to lean on: your Housemaster, Matron, your Tutor, the House Prefects, the staff at the Health Centre and the School Counsellor are all here to support and nurture you.
Whatever it is, please do speak to someone — that is exactly what we are here for.
How do I find out about, and sign up for, clubs, sport, music and drama?
The House staff are there to help you with this and oversee the sign-up process, so you’ll always know where to start. There’s a huge range on offer — clubs, activities, sport, drama, music and outward-bound opportunities — and you won’t be disappointed. The key thing is to get involved and give things a go. Your Tutor is on hand to help you strike the right balance, so that you make the most of everything the School has to offer.
The Digby
The Digby Digby Road
Sherborne Dorset DT9 3NP
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1935 810170
sherborneboys.group
PART OF THE SHERBORNE SCHOOLS GROUP
Sherborne Schools Group is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, No. 4002575 and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, No. 1081228
