House Rules
 

Enrolment in the boarding house, as in the school, implies the acceptance of its rules and regulations. Boys who transgress may be subjected to various sanctions.

We will inform parents about serious incidents and, in some circumstances, parents may be asked to come in to discuss their boy's behaviour and to assist in putting strategies in place to deal with it.

When there is a clear breach of our standards and rules, boys may be suspended from the house for a time or expelled from it altogether. When suspended we expect parents to get together with their son either in Dunedin, so school is not interrupted, or at home. It will be inconvenient, maybe embarrasing, but is a time to ‘re-programme' and get things right!

Rules

Leave

All leave from the boarding house is a privilege and Mr Munro has complete discretion in granting or withdrawing leave.

Mr Munro may delegate his authority to grant leave to housemasters from time to time.

Weekend or Overnight Leave

Weekend Leave or Overnight Leave requires that parents send a fax, letter, e-mail, or call Mr Munro by noon on the Friday prior to when the leave is required. (We appreciate early notification e.g. Thursday, so food orders can be adapted.)

Weekend Leave or Overnight Leave with responsible adults other than parents can be approved. Parents are expected to contact hosts and only after satisfying themselves of suitability should they notify Mr Munro that leave approval is given.

Weekend Leave and Overnight Leave with persons under 25 (brothers, sisters etc) will only be granted if the boarder's parent has approved it and Mr Munro agreed to it. Mr Munro must be notified by noon on the Friday prior to leave being taken.

When boys are on Weekend and Overnight Leave, the school cannot be responsible for them. Boarders' parents and hosts have a legal obligation to ensure that they provide responsible supervision while boys are in their care. Boys should not return to the house during the period that they are on leave from it.

We do not expect tired senior boys to return to the Boarding House on Sunday mornings. They should discuss their plans for returning to the Boarding House at the time they seek leave.

Day Leave

Day Leave is normally taken in the weekend. Adults should complete the approved day leave contacts form. Hosts would normally contact Mr Munro by noon on the Friday prior to the leave being taken.

The Day Leave form is for day leave only but may be amended by parents if necessary. A new form should be completed each year.

Please note that in all cases boarders are expected to be available to meet their sporting commitments (“school appointments are firm obligations”) unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Boarders who travel home on Fridays should miss school only if this is absolutely unavoidable.

Parents will need to discuss particular circumstances with Mr Munro. Boarding staff have the right to check any leave arrangements that may have been made.

Being absent without leave is a serious offence. Parents will be notified and boys who transgress put their place in the house in jeopardy.

Dress

Boarders are expected to wear their school uniform correctly and with pride. They are also expected to be neat and tidy when not in uniform.

Hair

Hair must not be artificially coloured and styles must not be unkempt or too unconventional. Mr Munro will make decisions about whether length or style is acceptable. Boys who are unhappy with his rulings may appeal to the Principal.

Piercings

These are not permitted by the School or the Boarding House.

Drugs, alcohol, substance abuse and smoking

Boarders are not permitted to buy, consume or be in possession of any alcohol or illegal drug, or abuse any substance, while under the control of the boarding house.

Drugs - the penalty for use, possession of or involvement with, illegal drugs is likely to be expulsion from the boarding house. Involvement of Police is likely.

Alcohol - the penalty for buying, drinking or being in possession of alcohol may range from suspension and gating to expulsion from the house. Each case will be treated on its merits but the house maintains a strict “no alcohol” standard. This applies equally to boarders who are 18 years and older.

Substance abuse - parents will be informed if any boy is found abusing any substance and this too may result in suspension or expulsion.

Smoking - Boarders may not smoke tobacco while they are our responsibility or in our care. Repeated transgressions in this regard may also lead to suspension or expulsion.

Theft

Any boarder who is apprehended stealing any item in or out of the boarding house may be reported to the police. Again, the “offender” could be suspended or expelled, depending upon the circumstances.

Harassment

Physical, verbal and sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Any member of the boarding house, whether house manager, matron, housemaster, student or other employee, who knows about or is the victim of harassment should complain to the Boarding Manager, the Principal or any staff member or senior student he feels comfortable talking with.

All staff will treat all complaints, concerns and allegations about bullying extremely seriously.  Depending on the circumstances of the incident, or incidents, the “offender” may be suspended or expelled. Parents will be advised in all but the most minor instances.

Vehicles

Year 13 boarders may be permitted to have their vehicles at the boarding house - but only with Mr Munro's express approval. This is a privilege that he may withdraw at any time, and for any length of time, if he decides there is good reason. This senior student privilege is subject to constraints about (1) what cars may be used for; (2) times that they may be driven; (3) carrying other passengers; and (4) where they are parked.

Boarders who are not in Year 13, and who have an extraordinary reason for needing access to a vehicle, must ensure that parents seek approval for this in writing from Mr Munro. He will hold the keys while the car is not being used for the express purpose that approval was granted.

Any boarder who is found to have an unauthorised vehicle while living at the boarding house will have the vehicle impounded, his parents will be informed and disciplinary action will be taken.

WARNING: McGlashan vehicles have been targeted by thieves. Expensive stereos etc. are attractive. Boys park vehicles in the angle parks only and do so ‘at their own risk'.

Passengers in vehicles

Boarders may not travel in other boys' vehicles unless they have first been granted permission to do so by Mr Munro, after their parents have given approval on the appropriate form.

Gating

Gating is one means of disciplining those who do not comply with the rules. While gated, boarders will not be allowed to leave the house - with one exception: when they are participating in sports practices or games, after which they must return immediately.

Bikes, skateboards and scooters

Boarders are permitted to have bikes, skateboards and scooters at the boarding house as long as they are stored appropriately. They are expected to obey all rules and instructions relating to them and use them only where and when permitted.

Firearms and dangerous equipment

All firearms and ammunition (used for trapshooting, mainly) brought into the boarding house must be held by the Boarding Manager and put into his care immediately upon arrival. This includes other dangerous sporting equipment such as hunting knives and spear guns that boys may be holding or transporting between the house and home.

Property

Boys should not borrow money or other items from other boys. Nor should they leave money lying around dorms or bedrooms.

Damage to boarding house or school property

If a boarder damages any house or school property he must report this to a staff member immediately. Appropriate forms must be completed and, depending upon the circumstances, boys can expect to be charged for any damage they cause.

Girls and visitors to the house

Girls are permitted to be in the house common room areas only.

Boys who are hosting visitors must first report this to the person on duty.

All visitors should know that they are permitted to be in common room areas only.

 

M Munro & K M Corkery
BOARDING MANAGER & PRINCIPAL