Shell Guide 2021/22

WELCOME SHELL GUIDE 2021 Welcome to your School. Learning and friendship are what St Edward’s is all about, and we look forward to seeing you in September. Most of this guide was written by Shell pupils. Find out more: Teddies TV via the website @stedwardsoxford @Teddiessport SHELLS ST EDWARD’S

St Edward’s School Woodstock Road Oxford OX2 7NN www.stedwardsoxford.org t: +44 (0)1865 319204 enquiries@stedwardsoxford.org

ST EDWARD’S SHELLS

EDITORS Charlie Hutton

Zoe Lorato Ione McNeil Hunter Rey

@Teddies_apsley @Teddies_avenue @Teddies_cooperlodge @Teddies_corfe @Teddies_cowells @Teddiesfieldhouse @Teddies_jubilee @Teddies_kendall @Teddies_macs @Teddies_oakthorpe

@Teddies_segars @Teddies_sings @Teddies_tillys @TeddiesOxford @TeddiesSport

St Edward’s School, Oxford www.stedwardsoxford.org

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St Edward’s Boat Club - 2 Miles

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1 Christie Centre 2 Apsley 3 Art, Design & Technology 4 Avenue Field 5 Avenue 6 Bee Hives 7 Boat House 8 Chapel 9 Chestnut 10 Chris Lawless Field 11 Cooper Lodge 12 Corfe 13 Cowell’s 14 Cricket Nets 15 Dance and Drama Studios 16 Dining Hall 17 Douglas Bader Sports Hall

18 Estates Building 19 Field House 20 Fisher Field 21 Golf Course 22 Olivier Hall 23 Health Centre 24 Jubilee 25 Kendall 26 Oxley Library 27 Lodge

35 Nuffield Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Gym 36 Oakthorpe 37 Ogston Building (Life Sciences) 38 Ogston Music School 39 Old Pavilion: Athletic Development Centre

40 Pedestrian Tunnel 41 Physical Sciences 42 Piggeries Field 43 Segar’s 44 Sing’s 45 The North Wall 46 Tilly’s 47 Upper 1 48 Warden’s Rooms 49 Work Block

28 Lower 2 29 Lower 3

30 Macnamara’s 31 Main Entrance 32 Maths Block 33 Martyrs Pavilion 34 Netball/Tennis Courts

BRAND NEW FACILITIES

You’re really lucky to be joining St Edward’s this year as you’ll be among the first pupils to make use of the stunning new Christie Centre which opened last year. The three-storey building features the university style Roe Reading Room on the top floor (above), the bright, modern Oxley Library on the first floor, designed for group work and discussion; and Willows café on the ground floor providing an alternative workspace. There are break-out spaces for group work and individual study decks for quiet study. Alongside is the magnificent Olivier Hall that can seat the whole school, and is a wonderful venue for concerts, performances, debating and many other events. You may find that the way we work at Teddies is different to your previous school. At Teddies, we work together a great deal. We discuss things, present our research to each other and work on projects together. The Christie Centre is specially designed for this modern way of working. Don’t worry if this isn’t what you’re used to – everyone will be in the same boat and you will be able to learn new ways of working alongside all your new friends.

BRIEF HISTORY

St Edward’s was founded in 1863 by the Rev Thomas Chamberlain, a Professor at Oxford University. The School was originally in central Oxford but due to storm damage and the anticipation of growing numbers, it was relocated to Summertown. Alastair Chirnside will join Teddies as the new Warden at the same time as you in September. He is the 14th Warden of St Edward's, and was previously Deputy Head at Harrow. In 1982 the first girl pupil arrived at Teddies, and it is 21 years since we became a fully co-educational school. Previous pupils of St Edward’s include: Kenneth Grahame (author of The Wind in the Willows ); Sir Laurence Olivier (famous actor, director and producer after whom the Olivier hall is named); Douglas Bader (successful pilot in the Second World War after whom the Sports Hall is named); Dr Holly Branson (daughter of famous entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson) and Emilia Clarke (from Game of Thrones ).

HOUSES

There are currently 13 Houses at Teddies, divided between Quad Side and Field Side: five for boys, five for girls and three co-ed Houses, Apsley, Sing’s and Cooper Lodge. Each House is also known by a letter (shown below). There are around 60 pupils from all year groups in each House so you instantly get to know people from other years. Quad Side Cowell’s (A): Mr Palferman Macnamara’s (D): Mrs Newson Apsley (E): Mrs Hamilton Tilly’s (F): Mr Grounds Segar’s (G): Mr Roche Oakthorpe (J): Mr Waring Field Side Sing’s (B): Dr Burbidge Field House (C): Mr Hanslip Kendall (H): Mr Bunch Corfe (K): Ms Hamblin-Rooke Cooper Lodge (L): Mr Livingstone Avenue (M): Miss Ramadharsingh Jubilee (N): Mr Davies

HEALTH CENTRE

Our Health Centre welcomes everyone – whether you just want to have a confidential chat, have an injury, or if you just feel unwell. The nurses will sort out your every need and be as kind and helpful as possible – and in no time at all you will be feeling better! The Health Centre is a place where you will always feel comfortable and relaxed. The Health Centre responded swiftly to the global pandemic and they have really good systems in place to look after anyone who displays symptoms of Covid-19. Your HM will tell you about all the measures in place at School to keep you safe, and how you can seek help from the Health Centre if you need it. The most important things to remember are to wash your hands frequently and to tell your HM or Matron if you feel unwell or are worried about anything at all. There are lots of people at Teddies who are looking out for you all the time.

HOUSE LIFE

You might be nervous about joining a new House in a new school: don’t be! The older pupils remember how they felt when they were new and they really look after you. Your House will be very eager to welcome you and senior pupils will take particular responsibility by being mentors and helping you to settle in. You will quickly get to know people and become part of the House community and there’s always lots going on; whether it’s hanging out with your new friends playing table tennis, watching a film, popping into Summertown to buy tuck, a charity event, a barbeque or just getting to know each other. Your HMs will also plan social events where boys and girls can spend time together outside the classroom. There are lots of fun inter-House competitions like the Steeplechase, House Singing and House Sports and they all help build great House spirit! We are a really friendly School and you will be made to feel very welcome by staff and pupils. So try not to be nervous; instead, look forward to the new experiences you will have and all the new friends you will make.

LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER

As a new pupil at St Edward’s, we hope that settling into your new school routine is natural and enjoyable, but should there be any problems or queries there are many people around the School available to help you out. On arrival older pupils within your House will be your mentors and tell you anything you need to know. If, however, you need to talk to someone confidentially, then your HM or Matron, Counsellors, the Chaplaincy team or members of the Upper Sixth specially chosen to be ‘peer listeners’ are around at any time, even if it’s just for a chat. Together, these people are here to assist you in your new, exciting journey through the School. Look out for a poster in your House which tells you about all the people you can talk to if you need help or are feeling down.

GOING HOME

Lots of pupils like to stay in School on Saturday nights to take part in activities or to hang out with their friends, but if you prefer to go home, then you can go on Saturday afternoon after sport or other commitments; or at any time on Sunday (unless you have school commitments such as music or drama rehearsals). Sometimes your parents might take you out for lunch on Sundays in Summertown or Oxford – there are so many good places to eat nearby, you will be spoilt for choice! However you spend your Saturday night and Sunday, you must be back in School by 9.00pm on Sunday evening. If you’re coming from London or anywhere near Beaconsfield on Sunday evenings you can hop on the school coach – details are on the website. Every Half Term there is a formal Leave Weekend which runs from either Thursday or Friday afternoon until 9.00pm on Sunday. Overseas pupils can ask permission to spend weekends at friends’ houses.

DAY PUPILS

Day pupils can choose to go home at 6.30pm if they have no school commitments but many stay until 9.00pm to relax with friends in House, complete prep and take part in school societies and activities. We find that most day pupils do stay later as the evenings are really sociable and fun with lots of activities going on. It also helps you get to know people. As a day pupil or a boarder, there are so many new things to try. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can because it will be fun and a great way to meet new people. Don’t be put off if you are a complete beginner – most people are! Your life will be much easier if you can keep on top of prep and not let a backlog build up. The first term can be tiring – so pace yourself! Even as a day pupil, you’ll need casual/ home clothes for when you’re relaxing with your friends after lessons. You’ll also need a washbag and towel – and maybe some snacks.

STUFF TO BRING

Just some of the items you need to bring to St Edward’s if you’re boarding: ■ Home clothes for after School – but don’t bring too many at first and make sure all clothes are named ■ Posters or pictures to make your dorm your own ■ You will need a tablet or laptop. Your parents have been sent all the technical requirements in the Joining Papers. Make sure you get the right kind of device – your life will be much easier ■ A cover for both pillow and duvet, plus a duvet (a pillow is supplied) ■ A clock to use as an alarm in the morning (you will not always have your phone) ■ A lockable tuck box ■ Washing kit

FOOD

At St Edward’s there is always food around: there is never a shortage! You have three main meals (although day pupils don’t have to go to breakfast) and after lessons you can go to tea where cakes, fruit and muffins are served. At all mealtimes, there is always a big variety available in the Dining Hall, including a salad bar. At break, fruit, toast and biscuits are available in Houses. You are allowed to bring in food such as sweets, but there is no need! You are fed very well.

BASIC RULES

When you first arrive, you may be overwhelmed with basic rules. Here’s a quick introduction. • You must wear our standard uniform or sports kit all the time during the school day (until after games/lessons) unless told otherwise. • You must always try to complete prep to your highest standard. • You must not walk on the grass on the Quad and your phone will be confiscated if you have it on view in any of the public areas of the School. • You must be in House for call- over (registration) and make sure that you go to all your extra- curricular activities. Basically, if you are on time, and try your best in everything, life will be great.

CHAPEL

Chapel is where we sing, pray, and think hard about the deepest values we hold. The services are Anglican but there’s always something uplifting – no matter what tradition you come from. We learn to pay attention to God and to look for what’s good and true and beautiful all around us. It’s how we grow spiritually. The Chaplain tries to get to know everyone and is always available to talk over anything that's on your mind, help you with a problem, or listen to what's happening in your life. The Chapel is always open for your own prayer or quiet reflection. “I like going to Chapel. It feels good when we’re all together and I like the way it feels holy.” Shell pupil

SUMMERTOWN

One of the great benefits we have at St Edward’s is our access to Summertown. For those unfamiliar with the local area, Summertown is a lively urban village so nearby it feels as if it’s part of the School. It has many big stores such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op, M&S, Costa and lots of great local shops. All of these are a few minutes’ walk from the school grounds and you will have access to them at specific times as long as you are with a friend. Most boarders have their own bank account but money can be given to HMs who run ‘House Banks’.

OXFORD

As well as being allowed into Summertown, you can also go into Oxford on Sundays if you are with a friend and you tell your HM – it only takes five minutes on the bus. Oxford is a great place, with several cinemas and plenty of places to eat, such as Prezzo, Wagamama and Starbucks. There are also really useful shops like Boots, WH Smith, the famous Blackwell’s bookshop – and the new Westgate Centre can cater to any culinary or retail preference you may have with its many shops and restaurants. If art and culture are your thing, you will enjoy the Ashmolean, Modern Art Oxford, the Pitt Rivers and the Natural History Museums. And of course, the beautiful, historic University buildings are well worth a visit and offer excellent inspiration for your future studies!

PREP

Prep is a fundamental part of learning here at St Edward’s, so it is important that you always do your best. Don’t worry about it because you will have plenty of time to complete it, as long as you use prep time wisely. You will be provided with a Prep Diary in which you will write your prep and its due dates. This helps you to be organised and to hand it in on time. Every night you will have a variety of subjects to complete in prep that will hold your interest – the time will fly by!

MAJOR SPORTS

Our sports programme offers a range of Tier 1 and Tier 2 sports that pupils can get involved in, either through their main games options, or the activities programme. All of our Tier 1 sports can be played by boys and girls and include rugby, hockey, rowing, cricket, athletics and tennis. Girls can also play netball. Pupils choose at least two terms of Tier 1 sports across the year, with a further option to play Tier 2 sports such as squash, badminton or sailing. We compete in National cup competitions in rugby, hockey and cricket and at the National Schools’ and Henley Royal Regattas for our rowers. We also regularly compete in county netball and athletics fixtures. Some of our sports will be new to pupils, but don't be afraid to have a go! It is a great time to try new sports and develop skills in existing sports you may know well.

NUFFIELD HEALTH FITNESS & WELLBEING GYM

The Nuffield Health Gym, located just off the Woodstock Road on Field side, is a sports centre owned by the School and managed by Nuffield. It is a fantastic sporting facility used by all St Edward’s pupils, as well as the public. The site includes four indoor tennis courts, three squash courts, a gym and a good-sized swimming pool. Some pupils sign up for an early morning gym session in the fitness arena, whilst others may book a tennis lesson before school. Pupils enter through the Douglas Bader Sports Hall which is a separate entrance just for us. While inside the Nuffield Gym, we have to wear clothing that identifies us as part of Teddies. It’s a great space, so make the most of it!

MUSIC

Music at Teddies is taken very seriously. Most Shells start off having some sort of individual music lesson across a variety of instruments including woodwind, brass, strings, or percussion. We also have music tech available. You can join choirs, such as Chapel Choir, or Shells Choir and, depending on your standard on your instrument, you will be recruited to Wind Band, Concert Band or Orchestra. You are very lucky because the beautiful Ogston Music School opened a few years ago and we now have countless practice rooms, the stunning Weston Recital Room, a Rock Room and the Fenton Recording Studio. If you are a keen musician, you will have all the facilities you could possibly wish for!

ART AND DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

In the Shells no previous artistic experience is required! You will have lessons in both Design and Art. Design is the balance between Art and Engineering; it asks pupils to use a human centred approach to develop products to suit their needs. In the Shell year, you will work on a number of projects, from Jewellery through to Industrial Design. You will design products, make them, work collaboratively, enhance your skills and be ready to take on the bespoke Entrepreneurial courses of the Fourth Form. For Art, the year is again split into two different sections, Art and Ceramics. In Ceramics, you learn to use the potter’s wheel to create hand- built pots and other 3-dimensional forms. In Art, you explore techniques such as etching, painting, drawing, lino printing and inks. All skills taught will lay the foundation for the Art Pathway or Ceramics GCSE course. Pupils are able to display masterpieces in the wonderful North Wall Gallery.

CO- CURRICULAR

The range of activities at Teddies is absolutely extraordinary and taking part ensures that you meet a wide variety of people. There are opportunities in Music, Drama and Dance – and societies and clubs available for almost any topic you can think of: chess, gardening, beekeeping, Teddies on Camera (the pupil-run media crew), debating, golf, theatre tech and many, many more! If you love the outdoors the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award might be for you, leading up to Gold in the Sixth Form. There are so many new things to discover, it's best just to get stuck in: the more you do the better!

DRAMA

At St Edward’s, we have a wonderful arts centre called The North Wall – it used to be the swimming pool! It’s a public arts centre as well as part of the School, so you’ll be able to see really impressive theatre, dance, music and comedy as well as attend workshops given by top performers, writers and directors. If you’re keen on theatre and drama, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Shells can audition for school plays, but you will also have your own drama festival in the first term when you’ll work with older pupils in your House to put on a play for the rest of the year group and your family. Even if you’ve never been on stage before, you’ll find it a really enjoyable experience – we promise! – and it is another great way to get to know older pupils in your House.

DANCE

Dance at this School is a great and popular activity for boys as well as girls, and you can try almost any kind of dance style you can think of. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or someone with more experience or expertise. St Edward’s offers the classical RAD Ballet syllabus as well as less formal non-examined ballet and also offers hip-hop and break dance at the other end of the scale. In between these two extremes you can take part in contemporary, modern jazz, tap, street jazz, acro, or cheerleading classes; whichever you prefer. You can take part in various dance shows throughout the year too.

SHELL ENRICHMENT

During the Autumn Term you will have the opportunity to try out a wide range of sporting and cultural activities. During Monday activities after lessons you might choose a new sport or enjoy a spot of drama or ceramics. On Tuesdays after games you are mixed up into groups named after the 12 oldest Oxford colleges and introduced to different areas of the co-curricular programme. On Thursdays you will be getting to know the Lower Sixth in your House, chatting about key issues in School – and activities like designing Christmas cards and decorations for local care homes. In the Spring and Summer Terms, you will use these sessions to prepare for the Shell trip to the Peak District after your exams in June. You will learn about map reading, menu planning, how to use a compass and put up a tent – hopefully not in the rain!

TRIPS

Although you will be very busy at School, there are plenty of opportunities to get away from it all with friends. As well as Saturday night trips to places like the cinema, bowling or trampolining, there are often trips on a Sunday too – to a golf course, paintballing or to an activity centre. We also have Summertown and Oxford on our doorstep and they offer plenty of distraction and entertainment. On a bigger scale, the School organises a large number of trips and sports tours: France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Iceland, Greece, New York, Australia, Malawi, Barbados, the US … you really will be able to see the world during your five years at Teddies!