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Dorm |
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Dorm Life at Hebron School Hebron is primarily a boarding school although we do all we can to include day students in activities at the weekends and in the evenings. We consciously talk about ‘the Hebron Family’ when we refer to the school and this reality is firmly rooted in our Dorm life. 1. Types of Dorms: Hebron has 15 Dorms (‘dormitories’) which are arranged by age and sex. The youngest Dorm, Silverdale, has both boys and girls (in separate rooms) whilst all the others are single-sex. All of the boys’ Dorms are on the Lushington campus along with the youngest girls’ Dorms (up to Std.6, around 10 years of age). The girls’ Dorms (Std.7 upwards) are on the Selborne campus, about 1 km from Lushington, and accessed by school bus or on foot (older girls). 2. Numbers and facilities: Apart from Silverdale (c.12 students), Gardens (c. 15 boys) and Sunshine (c. 15 girls), most of the Dorms have 20 students in them. The children sleep in rooms of four or five students but, as they get older, the numbers in the rooms reduces. The A level Dorms (which cater for both Std.12 and Std. 13 students, boys and girls separately), have some rooms for two or three students to share. The students have cupboards for clothes, lockers for personal items, desks (older Dorms) and wall space to personalize within reason! The older Dorms have cooking facilities and most have indoor play spaces (some for table tennis, others for indoor games and lounge areas). Shower / bucket bath facilities and toilets are also located in the Dorms, some of which occupy separate buildings at Lushington / Selborne, and some ‘wings’ of the main buildings. 3. Dorm care: Every Dorm has its own Dorm Parents. They are usually a married couple (often with their own children) who will have teaching or other responsibilities in the school and so they are not ‘simply’ Hostel Wardens. Their accommodation is part of each Dorm and they will invite the children into their homes, often on a daily basis, to share ‘tea and toast’ (etc!), to have play times, to watch TV/films (weekends) and to host optional devotions. Every Dorm also has other staff members as ‘Dorm Support’ who may help for weekend activities and will also cover the Dorm Parents’ day off during the week. The younger Dorms also have Prefects (senior students), who help with activities and some of the routines, and International Guests (volunteer adults). 4. Dorm activities: Friday nights are usually set aside for the Dorm Meeting. This is an occasion to discuss arrangements for the weekend, to share an optional devotion and to consider any issues of discipline / routine within the Dorm. Dorm Parents arrange (with parents’ help) to host birthday parties. At weekends, Dorm Parents arrange a host of activities which vary according to the age and privilege of the students. These include going away for an occasional weekend to an activity centre / camp / guest house, organizing fun games (such as treasure hunts, raft races, picture quizzes, etc), hosting a special meal, going on a walk/picnic, arranging a themed evening, having ‘skits’ (informal drama) and showing films. A weekend away begins on Friday after school (from 4 pm) and lasts until Sunday afternoon. The A level Dorms go farthest afield – perhaps to Cochin, Chennai or Kodaikanal – whilst the Std.11s have an annual trip to Mysore. (The A levels also enjoy a 10-day tour of north India once every two years). Younger Dorms might go to ‘Brooklands’ guest house in Coonoor, ‘Farley’ guest house in Ooty or ‘Avalanche’ campsite in the Nilgiri hills. There is a privilege system for visiting the various restaurants in Ooty. Hebron Dorm activities are invariably creative, inclusive and amazing fun! 5. Pocket money and ‘tuck’: In many areas of Hebron life we endeavour to be egalitarian, and Dorms are no exception. We have a standard level of pocket money per Dorm so as to equalize out the treatment of students no matter what their parental circumstances. Similarly, students bring back a set amount of their favourite foodstuffs / sauces / jams etc. as ‘tuck’ for use in the Dining Hall and in the Dorm. Students can usually spend their pocket money in Ooty on a Saturday afternoon when shopping (usually in small groups) is usually permitted. 6. Communication with parents: We welcome close contact with the student’s home and family but we also recognize, particularly for new students, the importance of a good settling and adjusting period. Dorm Parents will advise parents about when to ‘phone and what our expectations are concerning letters, parcels and emails. (Please note everyone loves a letter!). Students may be taken out for a weekend once in every half a term but please note that it’s important for parents/guardians to plan well ahead as there will be several weekends when the student is too busy to come out! Dorm Parents expect parents to call into the Dorm to speak with them every time a student is collected and, particularly during Drama Week (October) and Parents’ Week (April), to make the effort to chat with the Dorm Parents even if it’s simply socially! Most Dorms send out a regular newsletter to parents. 7. Valuables: Dorms, according to age, will have their own arrangements about music systems, electronic games, bicycles, etc. We only allow A level students to bring back laptop computers and mobile phones (and only then with Dorm Parents’ permission and on condition they are handed in for safe keeping). It is the parent’s responsibility to insure all such items. In conclusion, we would stress that Dorms remain at the centre of all we do at Hebron. Day students are often invited, space permitting, on weekend activities/trips, thus illustrating the centrality of boarding life. Please pray with us for safety in all we do and for a happy ‘home away from home’. Alastair Reid (Principal) & Thomas George (Head of Dorms) April 2007 |