New Boys' Booklet 2023

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Welcome

Name

Tutor

Form

House

Welcome to Merchant Taylors’

In your first few weeks, we will give you all the information you need about what to do and where to go. Everybody who is new any where always feels a bit anxious. Don’t worry. Nobody expects you to get everything right on day one! Keep this guide with you, and feel free to ask for help from teachers and other boys. Everyone knows you’re new, everyone remembers when they were new themselves, and there are plenty of people to help you out. After a couple of weeks,you’ll have got used to almost everything!

Dr Hesketh Head of Lower School

Contents

4 5

Getting Here

Key People

The School Day

Tutors, Houses, Mentors and Forms

Routines, Rules and Regulations

Rewards

Lost Property

Getting Connected

Games

19 20

Clubs/Societies/Activities

Food & Drink

Campus Map and Floor Plans

Getting Here

Coaches

If you have arranged to travel by coach, make sure you are on time at your pick-up point in the mornings and in the coach park in the evenings. Coach times vary, so check them carefully until you’ve got used to the routine. Full timings can be found on the school website. You have to sign up to our coach code of conduct. Be a responsible passenger! Don’t mess about on the coach as it puts lives at risk and is disrespectful to the driver and the coach company.

Trains

The nearest station is Moor Park, on the Met Line – 10 minutes down the Long Drive. It is worth keeping an eye on the Transport for London website for any travel updates.

Cars

If you come to school by car, your parents will use the Manor car park at the top of the school drive. They use the first entrance for a quick drop-off or pick-up – so that’s where you wait. If you have got lots to carry they should use entrance 3 to drop you off

Bicycles

If you want to cycle to school you must wear a helmet and park your cycle in the bike racks located by the Music Block. Always use a bike lock when leaving your cycles at school.

REMEMBER to stay safe on the road and be a good ambassador for us on public transport or school coaches.

Key people

Dr Hesketh Head of Lower School

Ms Scott Assistant Head of Lower School

Mr Talboys Assistant Head of Lower School

Mrs White Assistant Head of Lower School

Mrs Wardley School Secretary

Ms Newcombe Registration Secretary

Mr Husbands Second Master

Dr Clarke Senior Master

Mrs Williamson The Master’s Secretary

Mr Everson Head Master

The School Day

Your timetable is split into 5 1-hour lessons.

Start

End

9.00 10.00

Assembly/Tutor/Form Period Period 1

8.35 9.00* 10.00 11.00 11.20 12.20 12.50 13.20 13.50 14.40

Period 2 The Quarter Period 3

11.00 11.20 12.20 12.50 13.20 13.50 14.40 15.40

Period 4a Period 4b Period 4c The Hour Period 5

Assemblies/Tutor Periods Following Registration at 8.35 the week follows this pattern: Monday Form or Whole School Assembly Tuesday Tutor Period/House Assembly for 4 Houses Wednesday House Assembly/ Tutor Period for 4 Houses Thursday Tutor Period Friday Form Time/Whole School Assembly

Games Monday Games starts at 3.10 and ends around 4.30 Wednesday Games finish between 4.00 and 4.30

Tutors, Houses, Mentors and Forms

Tutors

You meet your tutor when you come into school the day before term starts. Your tutor looks after you throughout your time at the school and is often your first point of contact, keeping an eye on how you’re doing and helping you solve any problems. You talk to your tutor about your work and get advice about sports, clubs and societies. Your tutor registers you most mornings in your tutor group. There are about 13 boys in each tutor group. One will be your age (so you always have a friend around), some will be about your age, and others will be older. This way you get to know boys of all ages and this helps you feel at home very quickly.

Houses

You join the same House as your tutor and will meet your Head of House and the House prefects on your first day. Houses meet every Tuesday or Wednesday to organise competitions, sports, charity events and a lot of the “fun stuff”. There are 8 Houses. You can tell the House someone is in from the different coloured stripe on his tie.

RAPHAEL HILLES MANOR MULCASTER ANDREWES SPENSER WALTER

Tutors, Houses, Mentors and Forms

Mentors

If you are joining the Third Form, you will take part in our Mentoring Programme. Each boy will be in a group with 3 or 4 other boys; each group will be run by two Lower Sixth Mentors. You will meet in these groups on regular occasions throughout the year. The Mentors have undergone a training programme, having been picked for the role by their Heads of House. They are excited to help you all to settle into MTS life. You can ask them anything you like, and they will support you as you find your feet.

The JCR ( Junior Common Room)

The JCR is the MTS prefect team. About 60 senior boys help the teachers with routine discipline, like the lunch queue and making sure bags are left in the right place. The senior prefects are ‘the monitors’ led by the Head Monitor (Head Boy), they wear green ties.

The other JCR members (prefects) are ‘Prompters’. They wear maroon ties and sit at the side in assembly.

‘schools’ = sections

Each form (year group) has an MTS name and is part of a school section with a Head of School.

LOWER SCHOOL Third Form (year 7) Upper Third (year 8) Fourth Form (year 9)

MIDDLE SCHOOL Divisions (year 10) Fifth Form (year 11)

UPPER SCHOOL Lower Sixth (year 12) Upper Sixth (year 13)

Dr Hesketh is in charge of your section of the school .

Tutors, Houses, Mentors and Forms

Getting in contact with a teacher

You can find teachers during break - “the Quarter” (11.00-11.20) or “the Hour” (1.50 or 2.40) in the Senior Common Room (SCR). Most teachers have classrooms and some have offices, so try there too. It is always best to email them first to see if you can fix a time that is convenient to meet. If it is more urgent, you can wait outside the Senior Common Room (SCR) but DON’T knock on the door.

• Ask a passing teacher who’s going in if they would mind checking if the teacher is in there

• The teacher will come and see you or the teacher you asked will pop back and say they’re not there

The SCR is strictly out of bounds to pupils.

If you want to see Dr Hesketh contact them via Mrs Wardley, who works in the school office opposite the 6th form common room. If an issue crops up, and your tutor’s not around, pop in and see your Head of House or Mrs Wardley.

Routines, Rules and Regulations

• If you are late, report to Reception as soon as you get in. • If you are absent for any reason, your parent or guardian must telephone Ms. Newcombe, the Registration Secretary (01923 845 536, jnewcombe@mtsn.org.uk). When you come back, bring an absence note – written and signed by your parents. • To request leave of absence ask your parents to email the Absence Secretary 3 days in advance. • If you are picked to play sport for the school (Saturday or midweek) you must attend. If you can’t - for a really good reason - ask the teacher in charge as soon as possible for permission to be absent. • Be prompt to lessons, particularly after the Quarter and the Hour. There’s no bell - getting there on time is down to you! • Be good on public transport. We owe it to each other to send a positive message to the public about MTS. • You must look smart in school and on your journeys to and from home. • We post fire drill instructions in your form room. know what you have to do to stay safe! • Boys can play on the MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) near the OMT Clubhouse or use the football goals in the centre of the Quad. • You will be given both a paper and electronic version of your timetable once term begins. Keep a copy with you! • Mobile phone use is forbidden while you are at Merchant Taylors'. Your phone must be switched off and out of sight when you are on site . • Don’t eat or drink in the corridors. • Don’t run or text in the corridors.

Illness

If you feel ill out of lesson time, head stright to the Medical Centre to see the School Nurse. She will look after you and call your parents if necessary. If you are unwell during a lesson, tell the teacher who will send you to the Medical Centre . If you are injured during Games, tell the teacher in charge. They will arrange for you to be taken to the School Nurse.

Off Games !

Don’t ever leave school without permission.

If you are not fit for Games (Monday or Wednesday) bring a note from your parents and hand it to the Registrations Secretary (in Reception). If you are off games during Games on Wednesday, you will work in the Library (2.40 to 3.40).

Rewards

Gold Notes

You win gold notes for good work. The teacher processes these electronically and they are sent to your tutor, the Head of Lower School and also to you! These are converted into House Points so that your individual achievement boosts your House in the ‘Top House’ competition.

Commendations & Distinctions

If your grades show you have been putting in an outstanding effort or you have made outstanding contributions elsewhere in the school, you will receive a Distinction. Outstanding individual pieces of work are given a commendation - which again entitles you to receive a certificate from the Head Master. There are two form prizes per form for academic achievement and improvement during the year - they are awarded on St. Barnabas’ Day (Speech Day).

Sanctions

If you break the school rules or don’t work properly you risk being sanction ed. Minor offences get you a daily report card or a demerit which is sent to your tutor and the Head of Lower School. More serious misbehaviour gets you a one hour detention on a Thursday after school. There is a Saturday detention for particularly serious offences or repeat offenders.

Demerits

Patterns are quickly picked up on, and may prompt your tutor to address issues with you (or your parents, if they persist or are more serious).

Rewards

Good Manners

If you work hard and are polite you will get on well with your teachers.

• get to lessons on time • look before you go through a door and hold it open for an adult or another pupil • don’t disturb people who need to concentrate • respect quiet spaces like the Library • respect everyone who is here to help you • put your lunch tray away • respect your environment. We are committed to sustainability. Recycle whenever you can, take your litter with you

Lockers

There’s a break every two lessons so you only need to put into your bag what you need for the next 2 lessons, you can put everything else in your book locker. At 3.40pm make sure you’ve got the books you need to do your homework. You get a changing room games locker for your kit. We give you 2 padlocks. If you forget/lose your key, you go to the main school office in the Undercroft. We snip your old padlock and provide a new one – but we charge £5 for that. So take care of your keys and keep them with you.

Bags

Bags left lying around are a hazard. Please ensure your bag is on a bag rack and not on the floor. Bags on the floor can block the corridor. Please make your school bags indentifiable so you can find it easily amongst others. e.g. name tag, coloured threads or a keyring

Lost Property

Mark everything clearly with your name.

• If you can avoid it, don’t bring anything expensive to school or lots of money • Talk to your Tutor about safe storage of anything valuable • Lock away your wallet/mobile and any other valuable items

If you lose anything - retrace your steps & search where you’ve just been. Check your friends haven’t hidden it as a joke. If you still can’t find it, tell your tutor.

Report any suspected thefts to the Master’s Office.

The Lost Property Department is in the Delivery Depot (located off the East Drive between the Gatehouse and the Manor). It is open between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday. Parents are also welcome to visit the Depot during these times. Unclaimed items are held for a while, then sold. The school is periodically swept for lost property.

Lock your games kit into the games locker which will be allocated to you: do not leave things lying around. You will need to be responsible for your own possessions.

Getting Connected

We announce information and events on the digital screens round the school, by email, via Teams and via your tutor. Teachers often get in touch via email – check your email before registration at 0830 every morning.

The school operate s an email curfew daily from 8.00pm to 6.00am so teachers will not receive emails if you send them during these times.

When you come to the school you sign up to our terms and conditions of use for all digital devices (your own and the school’s). Then you get your network credentials - you can ask for Wi-Fi keys if you want. These log-ins also get you into your email and other School systems like Office - 365 All the links are at the top of the website home page.

Network Usernames and passwords are issued to you on induction. But to be safe, we need to change passwords several times a year

We have very strict rules so that you stay safe. Read and remember them. All passwords and devices are your responsibility - “someone else logged on as me”/“someone else was using my phone” aren’t acceptable. Even at home, your behaviour has to be in line with the school rules. We treat any form of cyber-bullying just like we do the real thing. If someone bullies you outside the school grounds - that’s still bullying; and the same goes for cyber-space. You need your mobile to stay safe. You must register it on the forms we send home before you come to MTS. Keep it on your person - not just in your bag or blazer. Make sure you’ve got the numbers you need in your address book and essential information on your memo or calendar. Keep it safe. You are not allowed to use your phone’s camera in school unless it is work related. Turn your phone off before school starts at 08.30, and it can only be turned on again after school at 3.40pm. Stay safe near traffic and always use the pavement. Don’t use headphones whilst near roads, you may not hear a car and could get hurt. Don’t text while walking - you’re a hazard to others as well as yourself!

Getting Connected

If you are travelling to and from School via the underground, you must go via the Spinney. For your safety you must not walk under the railway bridge and then cross the road onto North Approach. • Add the MTS landline to your phone’s address book 01923 820 644 • Bookmark www.mtsn.org.uk • You can access your email from the homepage link or bookmark: www.outlook.office.365.com • You can get into your email, your school network drives and the library catalogue from the MyMTS icon at the top of the school website • Keep your tube or Zip-card well away from your mobile phone or it will de- magnetise the strip and you will have to get your Zip-card re-issued.

Lessons and Homework !

Read the rules. Do what they say. Treat others as you want them to treat you .

Lessons are an hour long. Games take place on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and if you are coming into the Fourth Form there are activities starting after the October half term. We leave it to you to organise when you do the homework so you must always check what lessons you have the next day! We try to always give you 2 days to complete your homework as we realise you may be busy some evenings. You probably will get more homework (prep) than you’ve had before, but don’t worry about it, you will soon adjust to this. Teachers will set your homework in Teams. If a subject teacher needs the work returned immediately but doesn’t teach you for a few days, it may be down to you to hand it in. Wait outside the SCR until a teacher is going in and then ask them politely if they will put your work in that subject teacher’s pigeon hole. You shouldn’t spend all of your time out of school doing academic work, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid doing any! Use your spare time constructively. Don’t let a backlog of work build up. If you are spending much longer than you should on a subject, then tell your tutor because if you don’t tell them, they can’t sort it out. Third Form – 6 hours per week Fourth Form – 9 hours per week

Getting Connected

Tips

• There’s an excellent Library, make good use of it and respect other users. • If you are not sure where to go, always feel free to ask someone. • Do the hardest task FIRST. • DON’T put off doing your work to the last moment. • Find a good space to work where you can concentrate and are free from distractions. Put your devices away. • Plan ahead. Get your work done FIRST, then take time to relax. • DON’T COPY homework. • DON’T cut and paste from the internet. • Ask your teacher for advice if you can’t do something.

Grades and Reports

You get these online. There are 3 sorts of reports at MTS – grade sheets, tutor reports and full reports. They go out electronically. We send the web page address just before your first reports are due. You (and your parents) get a log-in. (For you, it’s your network username and password).

Starting a new school

Coming to a new school can seem quite daunting but don’t worry, MTS is a happy school and you’ll very quickly settle in. L ike any other school there are occasional issues. We have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying. It doesn’t matter if it’s physical, name-calling, or by text/online. No one has the right to make anyone else feel bad about themselves. If you ever have an issue, stay calm, walk away, tell your tutor (or any teacher) straight away. Bullying only ever happens if people stay silent. Report bullying if you notice it. We have a zero tolerance policy on h omophobic or racist language or attitudes, and bullying. Respect each other.

Getting Connected

Safe @ Taylors’

Taylors’ is a happy school and to make sure it stays that way, every classroom highlights our SAFE @ TAYLORS’ campaign. We have zero tolerance of bullying, abuse, racism, drug use, and homophobia. Everyone at school looks after everyone else. Everyone makes sure that no one is bullied, abused, or picked on because they are different. Everyone makes sure that no one suffers from racism. Everyone stays safe on the internet. Everyone knows the dangers of substance abuse . IF YOU ARE WORRIED talk to your Tutor, your Head of School or mail safe@mtsn.org.uk. The School Rules and our Safeguarding and Behaviour policies are on the website.

MERCHANT TAYLORS’ SCHOOL SAFEGUARDING

Counsel l ing Merchant Taylors’ School We’re here for you!

Games

In addition to your PE lessons, there is a main school sport each term:

THIRD FORM Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term FOURTH FORM

Hockey Rugby Cricket Hockey Rugby Cricket

In later years, there are lots of other sports to play including squash, tennis and fencing. You can swim and even go horse-riding... and there’s lots more!

Water-sports are available either on our lakes or at Datchet. You can do windsurfing, dinghy sailing, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, racing and more. If you’re in the Fourth form it’s a games option in the summer. Plus - it’s a Fourth form activity and there are trips throughout the year. There are lots of sports to play where it doesn’t matter if you are not super-brilliant as long as you enjoy it – so give them a go.

Lower Schoolboys get changed before lunch on Mondays and Wednesdays (so the changing rooms don’t get too busy)

There are a wide variety of optional activities during lunchtimes and after School, which begin a few weeks into term. There will also be an extra-curricular fair, and pdf booklet, clarifying the timings and locations of voluntary activities at lunch or after school. Friday Activities

Clubs/Societies/Activities

MTS is about joining in. So sign up for the clubs, societies and activities that take place during the Lunch Hour and after school. After a week or two of term there is the New Boys’ Fair where you sign up for clubs and societies. Your calendar and the school website tells you what’s on when. Make the most of your opportunities, you can discuss what’s on with your tutor. If you want to get involved in Drama, there’s the House Drama Competition every other year, a Duologues Competition (2 parts) and a Junior Drama production every year, plus the big shows. Keep your eye on the screens and the Studio Theatre foyer for details. Drama If you want to learn a musical instrument or singing you can have additional lessons during the day. If you need to miss an academic lesson remember to ask the subject teacher for permission in advance (you must catch up on work that you miss and do any homework set). You can join the choir or one of the bands or orchestras. There is a House music competition, and the Merchant Taylors’ Young Musician of the Year. Look out for music notices on the screens and in the music department. Music There are lots of trips, excursions and tours. Some take place during term time, others during the holidays. There are lots of great activities for all new boys - on-site and out of school. In the spring and summer term s there a re ‘Field Day s ’ - a day set aside for trips. You might go to a museum, zoo, historical site or sports grounds like Lord’s. Fourth Formers have an opportunity to visit The First World War battlefields in France. These trips are always educational and fun too. If you are keen, you can join one of the ski trips. They happen every year, sometimes to Europe, sometimes to the USA. The French Department organises a visit to Burgundy. Sports teams also tour the world. Boys often go abroad to play rugby, hockey or cricket. For older boys there are language trips to Germany, France or Spain and the Art department organises visits to galleries in places like New York. The orchestra and choir go on tour abroad too. Recently, there have been expeditions to places like Kenya, Peru, South Africa, Brazil, China, Vietnam, Australia, Canada and the USA. Travel

Food and Drink

You can buy breakfast from 8.00 to 8.30 in “the Lun” (Coffee Shop near the changing rooms) – it’s also open during the Quarter and the Hour for you to buy snacks, rolls and drinks.

Lunch is on a timed rotation. 3rds, U3rds and 4ths go in at 12.20 so they don’t have to wait too long. The rest of the school goes in at either 12.50 or 13.20.

Queue quietly in the corridor and wait until the JCR boy on duty tells you to go into the dining hall. The sequence of year groups rotates (to be fair).

There is usually a choice of 4 hot menus at lunch, including 2 vegetarian ones. There is a good salad bar. You can sit where you like but make sure you clear your tray when you’ve finished.

Good luck! You don’t have to memorise all these details. Just keep this book handy during the first few weeks to help you. If you’re stuck at any time, ask a teacher or senior boy; MTS is a friendly community. Treat people with respect, and they will treat you the same way.

Enjoy your time here.

Campus Map & Floor Plans

OMT Clubhouse

CLOCK TOWER

History EHCar Building

NewGeography Build 2018/19

SQUASH COURT

SWIMMING POOL

DRAMA

Lettings

RIFLE RANGE

INNER QUAD

MAIN QUAD

Exam Hall

SCR

CHANGING ROOMS

SPORTS

LIFT

Sir Geo rey Holland Room

HMP.A

CLOISTERS

TOOMT CLUBHOUSE

PARKING

Careers

MAIN ENTRANCE

MA56

Maintenance

DINING HALL

CATERING

GABITASS ROOM

Bursars’ Quad

RECEPTION

CCF

HeadMasters’ Quad

Print Room

Original Building

BARRIER

TOTHEMANOROFTHE ROSE

Design Centre

PEDESTRIANAREA

-BLFTJEF Building

LECTURE THEATRE

THE BEAST

RECITAL HALL

Original Building Ground Floor

13A

CLOCK TOWER

PH11 PH12

PH13

MA9

MA10 CHAPEL

PH OFF

MA8

PH PREP

GEOGRAPHY Surgery

HISTORY 2.01 LIBRARY 2.02

PH14

MA7

GY1.1 GY1.2

PH15

MA6

CROQUET

MA5

PH16

MA4

CO17

INNER QUAD

Common Room (SCR)

EXAM HALL

PARADE GROUND (MAINQUAD)

EN3

RS18

MA2

RS19

CROQUET

MA1

MA20

LIFT

LUN TUCK

25 26

3 4

20 21 22

22a

CLOISTERS

MAIN ENTRANCE AND RECEPTION

Head of Sixth Form

DINING HALL

CATERING DEPT

GABITASS ROOM

OFFICES

Religious Studies & Philosophy O ce

Head Master

Head Porter

Head Master’s PA Meeting Room

Head Porter’s Storage

Director of Teaching & Learning Director Of Communications

COMPUTING

Admissions