Grosvenor Girls’ guide to a Groovy Grosvenor existence!

A new boarder’s guide, made by girls in the know!

Grosvenor Houseparents

We have two Grosvenor Houseparents - Mrs Lynn Carter (who is also Head of Pastoral Care) and Miss Sam Jones. You can contact Grosvenor easily by calling or emailing the following:

 

Houseparent on duty:  01747 857803

Mrs Lynn Carter: 01747 857868 (lcc@portregis.com)

Miss Sam Jones: 01747 857867 (sj@portregis.com)

Girls' Payphones:  01747 857870 & 01747 857871

Dormitories

There are four dorms - Faith, Hope, Charity and Joy. You will have your own cubie (cubicle) where you sleep.

This is your private space with a wash basin and drawers and cupboards to keep your things. Don’t bring all of your clothes though as you won’t be able to keep them tidy. There's a desk too if you're feeling studious!

 

Remember, if you keep your cubie tidy, you could win dorm marks and get a treat or two!

Clothing

All items of clothing must be named – especially underwear and socks! At the end of each term we could stock a shop with all of the unnamed pants and socks in the house!

What to bring

To help you feel at home, bring as many teddies, posters and photos as you like, everyone has them. Some of us even use sarongs to hang up in the cubies and most girls have bead curtains. Remember to bring plenty of White Tac (Blu Tac stains the walls!).

 

If your parents agree, you can bring a mobile phone (plus charger, which must be named). You have to fill out a form from the School Office.

 

At Christmas you can bring in decorations for your dorm (not trees or lights though). DON'T bring in tuck! Our houseparents know every hiding place, and you get tuck every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday anyway!

Email

You can have a Port Regis e-mail address. The computer rooms are open during breaks and rests so really it is very easy to stay in touch with family. There is also an e-mail station in the house for you to use in the evenings.

Free Time

During free time on Wednesdays and at weekends you can go out with friends and parents. If you don’t go out, you can join in with the organised activities with your friends at school or just 'chill out'. Remember there are always lots of people around!

Fruit

You are allowed to bring in fruit to eat during any time you are not in class. (but not fruit that needs a knife to cut it). If you live abroad you can order some through school.  You can also bring in squash, but not juice!

Jobs

During the week we have to do various 'jobs' in the house. On Monday we have 'chuck out' where we throw out our duvet cover, towels and school uniform etc for washing. We all have good old 'nit-checks' every week; don’t worry if you catch them, unfortunately lots of girls (and boys) get the pesky things and you will get rid of them with careful combing.

Rewards

Tidy and well-behaved boarders receive rewards; it could be toast and hot chocolate for individual winners, or whole dormitory winners.

If all of the house have been good  we may have a party where we have quizzes, silly games and extra things to eat and drink.

Ins and Outs

Every Wednesday evening you need to know your arrangements for the weekend ahead. So make sure you know by then whether you will be in school over the weekend or if you will be out at home, or with a friend.

Music

Most girls have their own iPod in the house, with earphones to wear for those quieter times! Please make sure it is named.

Reading Times

B form - Cubie time is at 8.30pm, then reading until 9.15pm when it's lights out.

A form - Cubie time is at 8.45pm, then reading until 9.30pm when it's lights out.

Captains

It’s a real honour to be chosen as a Dorm Captain. Each dorm has two Captains from the A form during the first two terms. In the summer term, B formers have a chance to be chosen as a Captain by the houseparents and matrons. You must have been well-organised, helpful, friendly, caring, honest and trustworthy – to name but a few. There is a captains' meeting every Friday with houseparents where amidst the toast and hot chocolate, issues are discussed and 'Star of the Week' is chosen. Captains are also allowed to have reading time in the common room with a hot drink and biscuit.

TV/DVDs

Sometimes during the week we are allowed to watch TV if our houseparents think we deserve to – this means that all jobs in the house must have been completed. Every Friday night is 'Movie Night' where we all watch a DVD. At weekends we have DVDs or TV on Saturday night and if the weather isn’t good the TV may be on from 4pm, with permission.

 

A Grosvenor girl's boarding perspective...

"Grosvenor is really cool because we have some great parties. We have them at the end of the winter term when we decorate the common room and our own 'cubies' with Christmas things – it is a lot of fun. We do lots of games like the chocolate game which is when you put on hats and gloves and eat as much chocolate as you can with a knife and fork. We also do apple bobbing, which is really good fun. At the end of the Easter term we have the 'eggstravaganza' which is when we get into teams and do loads of egg and chocolate games. For example, passing eggs with our feet, blowing them with straws across the table or egg and spoon relays. We love it in Grosvenor and we are sure you will, too!"