Frequently Asked Questions
As you may not know what boarding is all about we thought you might like to read about how we do things at St. Martin's Ampleforth. It may not answer all your questions but we hope it answers some of them. If you want to learn more, or even have a go for a night to see if you like it then get your parents to give us a call and we'll see if we can help.
WHAT DO I DO IN THE EVENINGS?
After school we go straight into supper and then you have quiet reading time or music practice. After this you are free to either play with your friends or take part in an activity. On some nights Father K (Kentigern) will open ˜The Dungeon' and you can play all sorts of games like table cricket or American Football, set up the model railway or the scaletrix. The DT room is open most nights if you like modelmaking or you can use the IT room to email your friends and family. We also have two common rooms where you can play pool or table tennis, or simply relax with a board game or a book. Most nights a member of staff will arrange a ball game in the Sports Hall for everyone to join in with. In the summer many of the children like to go outside and play in the evenings. They may take their bikes out, or their skateboards, or simply set up a game of stuck in the mud or touch rugby.
Bedtimes are quarter of an hour later in the summer term to make the most of the lighter evenings. When you are called in for bedtime you have half an hour to shower and change and read in bed before lights out. The seniors will have night prayers in the chapel before going to get ready for bed.
WHAT HAPPENS AT WEEKENDS?
You have school on Saturday morning until lunch at 12.30pm (unless you are playing in a match that is at a school a long way away, when you might leave early to get there on time). After lunch there are nearly always matches that you will be involved in, but if you are not playing we like you to go and watch the home matches to support your classmates. After matches there is tea followed by freetime until 5.15pm when you have a quiet time until supper at 6pm. After supper there is nearly always a DVD to watch until bedtime or you can go and play with your friends.
On Sundays you get up in your uniform ready for Mass at 10am. After Mass you can change into home-clothes and play until lunch at 1pm. After lunch the duty member of staff will have arranged an activity, which could be a trip out to somewhere nice, or it could be at school. You usually have to sign up for these activities during the week so that the outing can be booked. If you don't want to do the activity you can usually go to the College to go swimming or play tennis, and there is usually a bus to the village shop where you can spend your pocket money on tuck.
CAN I BRING THINGS FROM MY BEDROOM?
We are very happy for you to bring a few cuddly toys and photos to make your area more personal. You will need to bring your own duvet cover and pillowcase too so your bed area will look very similar to your bedroom at home.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M HOMESICK?
It is completely normal to feel homesick for the first night or so. Sometimes children feel homesick for a few weeks, and sometimes children who have been here for years still feel homesick on the first night back at school each term. The most important thing is not to hide it, but to tell one of the staff so that we can help you. The next most important thing is to know that you will soon be happy with your friends at school and it will become "the second best place to home".
HOW DO I CONTACT MY PARENTS?
You can phone home in the evenings either by using a phone card which we can supply from the school office or by using your mobile phone. Also you will be given your own email address and you will be able to use the IT room in the evenings to send emails to your friends and family.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M ILL?
We have two matrons who live in the school and they work on a rota so that one is always on duty, even during the night. If you feel ill you can tell a matron, or any member of staff, and they will send you to the Infirmary to be checked over. We have a nurse who comes in almost every day and she will call the doctor if you need to see him. We have two infirmary bedrooms so if you are very poorly and need to stay in bed you can sleep in peace, away from the other children, and it is easy for the nurse to keep an eye on you.