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Boarding Rules &

Routines

2016

Real World Ready

Hard Work Honesty Respect Discipline Trust Enthusiasm

P.O. Box 36 Hartbeespoort 0216 • Beethoven Road Melodie Agricultural Holdings Hartbeespoort

Tel 078 933 6486 E-mail reception@themcs.co.za • www.themcs.co.za

Mountain Cottage School (Pty) Ltd

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CONTENTS CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 2

BOARDING CODE .................................................................................................................................. 4

GENERAL RULES .................................................................................................................................... 5

CODE OF CONDUCT .............................................................................................................................. 8

DAILY ROUTINE ................................................................................................................................... 11

DAILY ROUTINE EXPLAINED ................................................................................................................ 12

COMMON COURTESIES ....................................................................................................................... 13

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Congratulations! I hope that your stay at MCS Boarding School will be a long and happy

one. MCS will strive to create a home environment away from home.

All MCS boarders are required to uphold the Mountain Cambridge School’s Code of

Conduct and are bound by the rules at all times.

It is expected of MCS boarders that they involve themselves in a high standard

of conduct in their relationships with others and the School.

It is our intention to ensure that the boarding house is a safe, happy place

where our learners will strive to leave Mountain Cambridge as confident,

effective, well-mannered, articulate, educated and enthusiastic citizens of the

world who will contribute positively to society.

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BOARDING CODE The following expectations have been drawn up to ensure mutual respect and appreciation amongst all our learners in boarding to ensure the dignity and worth of all individuals in the boarding houses.

Expectations of Boarders

1. All pupils are to abide by the boarding house rules at all times.

2. Bullying of any form is strictly forbidden. Any student found guilty of bullying, whether physical or verbal, will be severely dealt with and could be asked to leave the boarding house.

3. Senior pupils play an important role in looking after the welfare of learners in junior forms:

nothing that senior pupils do must ever compromise that role. 4. While there is a hierarchy in boarding, respect is earned and is not automatically given. A

culture of entitlement, no matter what Form the learner is in, is strongly discouraged. 5. A policy of transparency and open communication is encouraged to ensure that any

parent or pupil may speak openly or in confidence about any matter pertaining to the well-being of the learners in boarding. There are well-defined structures of reporting available to the learners and their parents to address concerns of any nature.

6. No pupil is to be guilty of (or party to) any action that specifically:

involves any form of physical, verbal or cyber bullying (or the threat thereof) demeans or belittles another pupil involves any form of punishment (for boarding house misdemeanors) that has not

been sanctioned by a housemaster who must be present deprives another pupil of any item(s) of property, including food (i.e. any action that

can be regarded as theft) intentionally tries to force a student to leave boarding causes any form of sleep deprivation after lights out causes physical discomfort or emotional distress forces a pupil to break boarding house rules or school rules tries to enforce a “code of silence”, particularly among junior pupils torments any individual or group involves any form of disruption of another boarding space (locker, bedding etc) involves borrowing any item from any other boarder, particularly clothing and/or

money, unless permission has been expressly granted by the learner you are borrowing from.

7. The relationship between Form V pupils and their Form I/grade7 pupils is meant to be a positive, two-way mentoring relationship. The Form I/grade 7 pupil should derive far more benefit from the relationship than the Form V pupil.

8. The school will determine rules regarding minimum times for sleep, times for general

cleanliness and times for meals. Under no circumstances is a pupil to deprive or attempt to deprive another pupil, either intentionally or not, of sleep, food, good hygiene or the basic human right of personal dignity.

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9. The responsibility of running the boarding house lies with the Senior Housemaster. Prefects are there to assist the masters with the running of the house. No other pupil may punish or attempt to punish another pupil in any way, manner or form.

GENERAL RULES

1. Recreation Room

This is your area and use of it is a privilege not a right. Abusing it will result in it being placed out-of-bounds.

Look after any equipment in the common room. You will be charges for repairs if you are found to have caused any damage.

The TV may only be watched or used at the designated times. The DVD player may only be used with approved DVDs and with the boarding house

mistress/master’s permission.

2. Sick report

If you are sick please inform the boarding house master/mistress at the morning inspection.

The house master/mistress will then decide if you need to see the nurse/doctor. You may not stay in bed if you are sick unless you have been specifically instructed to

do so. If you are ill at school and have to leave class the boarding house master/mistress will

be informed and arrangements made to take you back to the boarding house. If you do not attend class you may not attend extramural activities. You may not make private arrangements to be taken home when ill. These

arrangements must be made through the nurse and house master/mistress.

3. Meal Time

All meals are compulsory, you may not miss a meal without permission from the Housemaster/housemistress.

All learners staying in the boarding house over weekends are required to attend all meals.

Grace is said before meals during which learners must be silent and show respect. No crockery or cutlery may leave dining areas. All food must be consumed within the dining area. Clear up whatever mess you make. Dress must be appropriate. Footwear must be worn. NO vests, pyjamas or slippers may

be worn to any meal. Boarders are allowed to bring their own tuck (one medium sized Tupperware container)

in moderation.

4. Laundry

All laundry is to be clearly marked with the learner’s name. Each learner is responsible for sending and collecting their laundry and accurately

accounting for each piece. Each learner need to get a marked laundry bag & sock bag. Learners are responsible for their own bedding.

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5. Clothes and clothing

Full school uniform must be worn to school and all school functions. Casual dress consists of a MCS sport t-shirt, blue sport shorts and casual footwear. After 16:00 you may change into civvies. Sport must be played in the correct kit. On leaving and returning to the boarding house, full school uniform must be worn. (Or

a school tracksuit, when leaving directly to or from a sport’s practice or fixture) All clothing MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED.

Jewellery

No chains; only religious emblems are allowed. Only single thin regulation sleeper earrings or studs (round) may be worn. No nose rings, tongue studs or other body piercing may be worn, not even with civvies.

Piercings may not be kept open with bristles. No bangles or bracelets, except Medic-Alert. Watches must be respectable size and of a neutral colour. No bracelet or charm

watches allowed.

6. Valuables & Money

Learners will be advised to hand over their weekly allowances to the housemaster/mistress, who will keep record thereof.

All learners are responsible for their own pocket money. Please do not allow excessive amounts of money. Rather let them use their bank

cards. Look after your belongings, lock them away or hand them to the house master

/mistress for safe keeping. Try not to bring valuables anything into the boarding house. You may not borrow anything from anyone without their express permission. You may not buy or sell anything from/to anyone without the house master’s consent.

7. Use of cell phones, laptop and tablet computers in the boarding house

Learners may have cell phones but they must be kept in their personal lockers, learners are responsible for their own phones.

Learners may not take or make calls during meal hours. No phones during prep hours. School rules must be adhered to with regards to phones. Laptop and tablet computers may be used. The primary purpose of using a laptop or tablet computer at school is to enhance the

learning process. Laptop and tablet computers may therefore only be used during study sessions for

word processing, spreadsheet work, preparing PowerPoint presentations and doing research from the internet or CDs. All of these activities should be done in silence or with headphones if sound is required.

Laptop or tablet computers may NOT be used to watch DVDs or listen to CDs during study sessions or after lights out.

All laptop and tablet computers remain the sole responsibility of the owner. There will be consequences for the misuse of laptops or tablets which may include

having these items confiscated for a stated period.

8. Visitors

No visitors or day scholars are allowed into the house without the consent of the house master/mistress.

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No girls are allowed into the boys’ dorm and no boys are allowed into the girls’ dorm, under any circumstances.

9. Communications

Pupils must feel free to discuss anything that happens in boarding with their

parents, a teacher or the school counselor. The boarding houses should never have anything to hide that they would be ashamed

of. All boarders, parents and guardians acknowledge that: They will communicate, using the official channels of communication, if there are any

concerns that need addressing. They understand these expectations and regard them as binding They carry a responsibility to uphold the highest traditions of MCS The school is required to deal swiftly and seriously with those who do not live up to

these expectations, particularly when it comes to any form of bullying.

10. Study session rules

The study session is a time to study and do homework. Misconduct during this time will not be tolerated. There will be silence during study sessions. I-pods, MP3 players, radios, sound systems, may not be used during prep – even with

phones! Group work is only allowed in the recreation room during the first study session with

the permission of the house master. Late study is only allowed if the house master gives permission. It is a privilege, not a

right.

11. Boarding house out of bounds

Week days Monday to Friday You are not allowed off the school property unsupervised or without the express

permission of your parent or house master/mistress if you are signing out for any reason.

You must be in the boarding house from 18:45 (18:30 in winter) every evening. You may not be outside after this time unless you have the specific permission of the house master/mistress.

Noise – Running, shouting and unnecessary noises are not allowed indoors. Radios may be played softly. Radios may not be used during prep.

Boarding house is out of bounds during the school day, no learner is permitted to be there.

Monthly boarders’ leave must be requested by parents in writing BY the Wednesday of that week.

Hitch hiking is forbidden. The school and boarding house will not be held responsible for any mishaps that might occur as a result of breaking this rule.

Home time : Friday 14:30 – Sunday 18:30 Boarders are not allowed to leave the boarding house without prior permission. Learners may only leave with related family or by consent of the respective

parents/guardians. Failure to adhere to this will have strict consequences as well as MCS and the Boarding house will not be held liable for any mishaps.

Weekend leave starts after the last sport/cultural event takes place on the Friday/Saturday.

Parents will be given a calendar at the start of each semester to inform them of

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important dates. It remains the learners’ duty to inform his parents/ guardians of these dates and times.

Lights out – No learner is allowed to leave their bed after lights out without permission they are only allowed going to bathroom.

12. Vehicles

Only senior students, who are in possession of a valid motorbike / car license and a

letter of consent from their parents, may approach the Principal to request permission

to have a car/motorbike at the boarding facility.

Once permission has been granted, motorbike/cars may only be parked in the

designated areas and the keys must be handed in to the house master. They will not

be allowed to use their vehicles without permission.

Motorbikes/cars are parked at own risk. The school is not responsible for any damage

caused to motorbikes parked on our grounds.

13. Breakages

Breakages must be reported at once to the housemaster and entered into the maintenance book.

All property should be carefully looked after and respected.

CODE OF CONDUCT Code of conduct, discipline and punishment

Mountain Cambridge School prides itself on maintaining of good discipline and upholding our

code of conduct at all times.

A high standard of manners, neatness and courtesy are expected to be adhered to at all times. At MCS we distinguish between the different offences. If you break the rules, you will be dealt with accordingly. If your offence is seen as serious you will be summonsed to an internal hearing. If the offence is of a very serious nature, it will be handed over to the Principal and you may be punished by suspension or expulsion from the hostel.

All staff are responsible for all discipline in the Boarding House. Students may be placed on

detention by any staff member if they break any of the Boarding House rules.

Prefects are responsible for general discipline led by the Head Prefect, they are answerable to

the Senior Housemaster/mistress.

Serious Offences:

Serious offences will be handled by the Senior Housemaster/mistress.

Serious offences, such as bringing the name of the school into disrepute, could have serious

consequences such as gating or a disciplinary hearing.

Students may be placed on detention on Friday afternoon as punishment for misbehaviour.

The maximum length of the session will be 3 hours. More serious offences could result in

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learners to be placed on Saturday night detention for 3 hours. Parents are asked to be

supportive of staff in this regard.

Parents will be informed of these offences. You will be treated fairly – you have our word on it. The following can serves a guideline for offences that are not allowed.

a. Minor Offences

Non – punctuality Leaving before the permitted time from study session, class, Sports practice,

Society meetings, or any other without an acceptable reason.

Breaking prep rules Carelessness resulting in loss or damage to School property or the property of

others.

Not greeting Staff or visiting adults. Not standing up when speaking to Staff or visiting adults Incorrect dress Use of the swimming pool outside of swimming times Failure to have all the necessary books or stationery needed to complete

homework.

Disorderly behaviour during hostel times. Insolence towards any hostel member of staff, shown by demeanor, action or

words

Insolence towards any hostel member of staff, shown by demeanor, action or words Being in the “out of bounds” area during hostel hours. Not being properly dressed for meals Being late for meals Using a cell phone during study or after lights out. Untidy hostel bedroom, bathroom or cupboard Attempt to load or download unauthorised software on to the school computers Engaging in dangerous horseplay, pillow fights etc. Disorderly behaviour or behaving publicly in an unacceptable manner Inviting boys into Houses Failure to carry out and/or refusal to obey reasonable and lawful instruction Not being signed in or out Dirty or untidy lockers Not sighing out in the daily signing out book.

b. Serious offences

Conduct which endangers the safety and violates the rights of others. Bunking of any nature. Possession, threat or use of a weapon and/or firearm. Possession, transmission or visible evidence of pornographic material. Possession, use, sale, transmission or visible evidence of narcotic or

unauthorised drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or intoxicants of any kind. Possession, use, sale, transmission or visible evidence of dangerous

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substances of any kind. Fighting, assault or battery. Immoral, sexual behaviour or blasphemy. Harmful graffiti, hate speech, sexism, racism. Theft or possession of stolen property. Unlawful action, vandalism, or destroying or defacing of hostel property. Disrespect, objectionable behaviour and verbal abuse directed at hostel

staff or other school employees and learners. Repeated violations of school / hostel rules or the schools Code of Conduct. Criminal and oppressive behaviour such as rape and gender- based

harassment. Victimisation, bullying and/or intimidation of other.

Substance abuse and prohibited items

Possession of, dealing in or using alcohol or drugs/stimulants i.e. Red bull, Monster.

A ZERO TOLERANCE policy on banned substances will be adhered to.

Possession of pornographic material (including digital format)

Possession of or smoking cigarettes.

No weapons of any kind may be brought to the boarding house (i.e. guns, knives) a

zero tolerance policy will be adhered to.

The Principal will bear responsibility and will do everything in her/his power to

ensure that MCS remains a drug free zone.

Suitable education, guidance and monitoring programmes will be conducted at

MCS.

Appropriate actions will be taken in cases of infringements of this policy.

The best interests of the school as a whole will be considered paramount.

The above are just a few of many things that can go wrong in the hostel. You will be dealt with in a very serious manner.

The Housemaster is allowed at any time to search a room with or without you present.

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DAILY ROUTINE

04:45 Ballet dancers – wakeup call

05:00 Ballet class

06:00 Rising bell (rest of the boarders) 06.25 Inspection (boarders’ outside their rooms, full school uniform)

06:35 Chapel 06.45 Breakfast /roll call

07.15 Exit House

07.20 Boarder master/ master locks house

10.40 Break time (sandwiches at the Gap)

14:15 Lunch in front of the Gap 14:30 – 16:30 Extra murals/ Dance classes

16.30 High school return to house

16.30 pm House opens for free time

16.30 pm – 17.45 Shower time

18:00 pm Supper /roll call / announcements / inspection

18.30 pm – 19.00 Free time

19.00 pm – 19.45 Study

19.45 pm – 20.00 Break

20.00 pm – 20.45 Study

21.10 pm Lights out for grades 7, 8 & IGCSE 1.

21.10 pm Silence for rest of house and inspection 21.30 pm Lights out for IGCSE2

22.00 pm Lights out for Grade AS1 & AS2

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DAILY ROUTINE EXPLAINED

1. Rising bell: You will rise, visit the bathroom and get dressed.

2. Inspection: The Boarder master and the grade 12 on duty will do the

inspections.

The rooms are expected to be neat. All clean clothing to be neatly packed into the cupboard. All dirty clothing to be put into laundry bag, hung onto hook at the back of the door.

Shoes to be neatly packed into cupboard. All towels to be hung over hook at the back of the door. All books to be neatly packed. Locker must be open. Bed neatly made up. You have to be neatly dressed outside your room awaiting inspection.

Roll call –

must be on time alphabetical order First form V/AS2 down to grade 7

2. Breakfast

Breakfast is a compulsory attendance.

Boarders will meet in front of the house.

Bookcases left in entrance of dining hall upon arrival.

Everyone will stand behind their allocated chair.

Grace will be said.

Sit down to eat. Food to be fetched one table at a time.

AS2 will be first.

After everyone has eaten all plates and cutlery will be passed down to the head of the

table and cleared.

The head of house will make announcements. After you have been dismissed by the boarder master/mistress everyone leaves

for school.

3. Exit house / Boarder master/ master locks house.

No boarder will be allowed in the boarding house during school time. Only the House Master/Mistress can give permission for a boarder to enter the house

under extreme circumstances.

4. First break

Sandwiches will be available in the Gap during break. The boarding house will be out of bounds during first break.

5. House opens for free time/Shower time

Learners will be transported back to the boarding house.

At 16:00 the duty Boarder master will unlock the doors to the boarding house.

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6. Supper time

Supper is a compulsory attendance. Same routine will be followed as at breakfast.

The head of house will make announcements.

After you have been dismissed by the Boarder master you may leave the dining room.

7. Free time

During this time you are allowed to watch TV.

8. 1st

Study Session

Junior school boarders are to study in the recreation room. Senior school boarders are to study in their rooms, doors must be open. Cell phones are to be switched off and placed on the floor at the door of each room.

Senior boarders studying in their rooms must be seen as a privilege and not a right,

when your academic performance is not up to standard this privilege will be revoked

immediately.

9. Break

This is merely time to relax your concentration. No TV may be watched during this

time.

10. 2nd

Study Session

The same rules apply as for the first session.

11. Clean up / silence

You will take this time to clean up your rooms and have your own quiet time.

Corridor prayers may also take place during this time.

The boarding house will be quiet during this time.

12. Lights out

All lights will be out and you are expected to sleep.

No use of electronic equipment is allowed.

Doors may be closed. You may ask for extra study time. If extra study time is misused it will not be granted.

Privileges are earned by groups of people and taken away by one (the Housemaster). They are

not rights and they are awarded to groups who have met certain expectations. Privileges may

be removed if the group or individual to who they have been awarded, fail to behave in an

acceptable manner or they abuse the privileges given to them.

COMMON COURTESIES

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greet people older than yourself to be greeted by the person you greet to refrain from using ban language/do not curse family members/relatives to respect property belonging to other people to assist a person in need or in trouble to respect the dignity of other people to refrain from using your position or size to your own advantage to ask a person in a courteous manner to do something for you to be spoken to in a friendly and courteous manner to give due recognition to those who are your seniors to behave in a manner of which you can be proud TO TREAT OTHER PEOPLE AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED

b. AS 2

being part of the group running the house get to dish up first access to the house in the afternoon first to sit on the coaches entering the dining room first being the head of the table doing duty in the house rest of house to stand back for you being regarded as a Senior in the House and School

c. AS1

get to dish up after Matrics at lunch doing duties in house in preparation for your matric year grade 7,LSL and IGCSE 1 & 2 to stand back for you

d. IGCSE 2

get to dish up after AS1 at lunch grade 7,LSL and IGCSE 1 to stand back for you organise the House Christmas party

e. IGCSE 1

get to dish up after the IGCSE 2 at lunch grade 7 & LSL to stand back for you

f. Grade 7 & LSL

have the right to ask a matric for help in any situation for survival

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