Welcome to The Green! I hope that you are looking forward to starting your journey as a Shirburnian in September, but also to being a part of your new home away from home too.
Every house at Sherborne is unique, but The Green is truly special. This is for a number of reasons, particularly the strong culture of support and inclusivity amongst year groups, from the Upper Sixth down to the Third Form. This will be stronger than ever this year, especially with the reintroduction of the Uncle System. This is where a member of the Lower Sixth becomes an "uncle" to a boy in the Third Form and is there to mentor him, when you may have lots of questions especially early on.
The Green also has an amazing garden, including the "Cage". Something that you will notice from day one is the continuous football matches and Test cricket in the Cage, as well as our DIY golf range. The garden is often where the heart of our fun, lively, and friendly atmosphere comes from, helping to build friendships that last long beyond your time here.
Tough times are something everyone will have to deal with, especially if boarding is new to you, as you may feel homesick or overwhelmed at times. This is completely normal! If this is the case, then you are likely to be in the same boat as a lot of the boys in your own year. Equally, every boy in the house has felt like you before, so make sure you talk to someone.
In The Green, we have an amazing number of people who can support you in any way. This ranges from Mack G, our amazing matrons, tutors, uncles, and myself and the prefects. There will always be someone in the house who can help you through any tough time you may be going through. I know from experience that once you get stuck into everything that The Green has to offer, before you know it, you won’t want to be at home!
From me and all of us at The Green, we wish you the very best summer, and we are all looking forward to seeing you in September.
Fergus O’Connell Head of House
Top Tips
• Always try and be a ‘Good Bloke’.
• Speak to Mr Mackenzie-Green or Nicky about anything and everything.
• Check your email twice a day. This is how teachers will communicate with you.
• Socialise and mix with other boys in the House. It will help you to settle quickly.
• Put your phone down. Happiness is playing in the garden, not scrolling videos.
• Go to all School meals - they have already been paid for.
• Keep your room tidy, do your bedding properly each week and stay on top of your laundry.
• Dress smartly and appropriately for School commitments. When in The Green relax. It is your home from home.
• Remember to phone home regularly, even just to say `hi’. Your family will be missing you.
• Do the basics well: eat, sleep and exercise.
• Get away from your surface. Others will be having fun, you just don’t know about it.
Housemaster
Housemaster
Mr Mackenzie-Green
No doubt you will already have met Mr Mackenzie-Green. He is in charge of the day to day running of the House and the well-being of the boys in The Green. He will keep you up to date with what’s happening in the coming days and weeks. He will also keep track of your progress academically and in other areas of school life. More than this however he is a friendly face who you can talk to if you have any problems. He is also the person your parents should email or call if they have any concerns or queries.
Mr Mackenzie-Green, who is a member of the History department, lives in the private side of The Green with his wife Bronwen and his three young children: Rosie, Johnny and Doug.
Mr Mackenzie-Green can be contacted via email: william.green@sherborne.org or call his mobile 07850 653388. The Duty mobile phone number is 07712 673074 (you should add these to your contacts if you have a phone).
House Staff
Matron Nicky
Nicky is the boss and runs the House alongside Mr Mackenzie-Green. She is a very important member of the team. She will organise your washing to be turned around quickly and attend to any medical needs. More than that, though, she can be turned to for almost anything and she can help or point you in the right direction. Nicky has a great sense of humour and has a very bubbly personality. She loves all her boys and is very protective of them. When she is off duty, Steph or Sharon are in the office and they will also help with anything you need.
Assistant Matrons Steph
Steph has been a Clinical Pharmacist for over 30 years in a number of different settings. She is married to Dr Wadham who was a housemaster and therefore spent 10 years living alongside the boys of Harper House.
Sharon
Sharon is an integral part of the Green Team. Her kindness and humour marks her out as a wonderful person to have a chat with. Sharon runs a house baking club, which all boys are welcome to join. She is also rather handy with a needle and thread and can often be found doing running repairs to the boys’ uniforms.
House Tutor
Senior Tutor – Mr Hall
Mr Hall is a member of the Classics department and will deputise for the Housemaster if he is away from the House.
Resident Tutors
Mr Cousin
Mr Cousin has a a strong focus on student wellbeing, academic success, and building a positive residential community. He is a Business and Enterprise teacher and enjoys hearing from the boys about their entrepreneurial ideas. He loves Warhammer and rugby and is here to support you both on and off the pitch.
Miss Davies-Potter
Miss Potter is a drama teacher who is passionate about helping students build confidence and creativity, both in and out of the classroom. She is a big fan of theatre and is involved with all the school productions including Directing The Green House play last year. When she is not rehearsing for a show, you can usually find her reading a good book, planning her next trip or spending time with her Black Labrador, Odin. She is here to support you both in and out of the House.
Tutors, Domestic Staff and Prefects
Tutors
When you join the House, you will be allocated an Academic Tutor who will be there to help and support you. Your Academic Tutor is your academic expert advisor and will help guide you through the various decisions that need to be made during your five years at the school. Each tutor has a duty evening once a week and they will be in the House from 7pm until 10.30pm to meet you on a oneto-one basis and help with the evening routines.
Domestic Staff
You will learn to appreciate the work of the domestic staff who work hard to keep The Green 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
Fergus O’Connell (Head of House)
William Vivian (Deputy Head of House)
Percy Butler (Third Form Prefect and School Prefect)
Jasper Richardson (House Council)
Harry Heard (School Prefect)
Benji Rimmington (Head of School)
Alex Paul
Alf Bourne
Bobby Smither
Eddie Esdaile
Eddie Warman
Milo Duder
Milo Spink
Ned Melvin-Dorey
House Facilities
Cage
Is a hard-surfaced area complete with two basketball nets. As far as House facilities go, it is probably the most-used, with a wide range of games being played on it throughout the School year, whether it is football in the winter or cricket in the summer.
The Garden Is arguably The Green’s best asset. Equipped with two fullsized football goals, it is an area of constant activity in the summer term, and is used for football, cricket, golf, volleyball and even sledging in winter.
The Games Room
Contains a range of sports suited to most tastes; you can play table tennis, pool or table football.
Two Common rooms
There is a senior and junior common room both of which have various games consoles, large screens and pool tables. The junior common room also has the large projector. The whole House will pile into the junior common room to watch the big matches.
The Hall
This is where roll call and House assemblies take place and is the heart of the House. If you are looking for staff or other boys, head to the Hall and there are always people around to talk to.
The Day Room
Is your first port of call during the Third Form. You leave your books here and work here in the evening; it is your common room and you have space to store your books, stationery and tuck.
House Accommodation
The Third Form are in dorms of between four or five boys with bathrooms next door; the Fourth Form are two or three to a dorm; the Fifth Form are in pairs or single rooms; and the Sixth Form all have their own room. We change dorms on a termly basis.
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
Your Day
Monday to Friday
7.15am Wake up bell and morning routine check begins
7.55am All to be up, dressed and ready for school 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
6.55pm Roll Call in the Common Room
7.00pm – 8.45pm Hall
9.00pm Phones in for Third and Fourth Forms
9.30pm Third Form up to dormitory and lights out at 10.00pm
10.15pm 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: 5.50pm – Roll Call and Assembly
Sundays: 10.00am Everyone Up; 11.00am – 12noon Hall
5.50pm Roll Call and Assembly; 7.00pm – 8.00pm Hall
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
House Activities
Here is a sample of the external activities we did last year:
• Trampolining park (Flip Out)
• Dorset Water Park at Studland
• Splashdown in Poole
• Haynes Go-Karting Circuit
• Paintballing at Corfe Mullen
• Surfing
• Coasteering
• T20 Cricket
• Premiership Rugby
• House Sleep Out
Here is a sample of internal activities we have done:-
• Intra House sports competitions
• Pizza and Film Night
Mr Mackenzie-Green would like to do more activities within The Green and with Nicky (our Matron) plan to create a ‘British Bake Off’ and possibly a ‘Come Dine with Me’ competition!
We recently performed the House Play, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We shall produce another play soon.
We also competed in a multitude of Inter-House sports events. This year the juniors won every available competition and the seniors were not far behind.
House Charity and Outreach
In recent years the House has raised money for the Men’s Mental Health Charity, Movember. The boys do a sponsored sleep out and a 10km fun run. In 2024 we came second in the county for our fundraising efforts.
The Green outreach efforts are focused on the Yeatman Hospital just over the road from the House.
House Socials and Trips
There are a variety of trips from The Green. In previous years boys have visited Longleat, Splashdown and Dorset Water Park as well as more local trips to the ice-cream shop and beyond; there have also been trips to the Climbing Centre, to the local Go-Karting Course, to football and rugby matches and to the cinema. There is a House Council, run by a Sixth Former, feeding information to staff for proposed trips and excursions. There are evenings arranged for each year group, and special meals occur at times such as Christmas and Commem.
To see more of what we are up to please follow us on Instagram @sherbornethegreen
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 Green
The Green Hospital Lane
Sherborne
Dorset DT9 3HX
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1935 810440
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
