Shell Swatch 2024

FROM THE WARDEN

Welcome to St Edward’s! As you join, we have just celebrated our 160th anniversary, at a time of significant development and extraordinary opportunity for pupils at Teddies. We have introduced more choice than ever before – in academic subjects, sports, clubs, societies and activities. At the same time, we remain grounded by strong links to our local community and by our values of kindness, courage and integrity. Happiness and opportunity have always been at the heart of a Teddies Inspired by your teachers, encouraged by your coaches and looked after by your HM and your Tutor, you will leave with all the knowledge and skills you need to live a happy, successful and fulfilling life. Above all, you will leave with friends and memories for life. You will start to make them in education, and that will be true throughout your time with us.

September, and we are all looking forward to having you here living and learning with us at Teddies.

CO-EDUCATION AND INCLUSION AT TEDDIES

We have recently celebrated 40 years since the first girls were welcomed to the Sixth Form and our 25-year anniversary of becoming fully co-ed. We are very proud of our history and success in providing first-class education equally to girls and boys, with mixed Houses, mixed sport and above all an environment where girls and boys learn how to live and work together and make friends for life. Inclusion is a fundamental part of the ethos of St Edward’s where all people are valued and diversity is celebrated. We teach pupils the benefits of welcoming difference and do not tolerate unkindness or prejudice in any form. Pupil voice is really important.

Pupils bring their views and passion to this area through the Equality, Diversity and

Inclusion Committee, through FemSoc and by working with the Head of Pupil Voice and Action.

HOUSES

There are 13 Houses at Teddies divided between Quad Side and Field Side, four for boys, five for girls and four co-ed Houses – where there are boys and girls in the Sixth Form. Each House is also known by a letter. There are around 65 pupils in each House from all year groups, so you instantly get to know people from other years. Housemistresses and Housemasters are abbreviated to HMs. Quad Side HMs Cowell’s (A): Mr Reid Macnamara’s (D): Ms Bray Apsley (E): Ms James Tilly’s (F): Mrs Ritchie Segar’s (G): Mr Jackson Oakthorpe (J): Mr Waring Field Side HMs Sing’s (B): Mr Moffatt Field House (C): Mr Cottrell Kendall (H): Mr Bunch Corfe (K): Ms Hamblin-Rooke Cooper Lodge (L): Mrs Gowen Avenue (M): Miss Ramadharsingh Jubilee (N): Mr Davies

HOUSE LIFE

Your House will be very eager to welcome you. 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, having a barbeque, watching a film, popping into Summertown to buy tuck, or just getting to know each other. Your HMs will plan social events where pupils from different Houses can spend time together outside the classroom, including fun dinners outside School. There are lots of inter-House competitions like the Steeplechase, House singing, and House sports - and they all help to build great House spirit! Within the House there are also friendly competitions in pool, table tennis and other activities.

WELLBEING

‘Joining any new school can be both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. At Teddies, you will be part of an incredibly supportive community where wellbeing is central to our lives together and is our priority, supported by our pastoral networks. ‘In addition, as part of the curriculum, you will join in discussions about some of the most interesting and thought-provoking issues affecting young people today. These sessions will help prepare you for whatever the future holds, enabling you to develop the skills to become resilient young adults. ‘Together we will celebrate your successes and help you to learn from experiences. We look forward to supporting you on your journey through Teddies and to your contributions to our community.’ Dr Julia Adlam Director of Wellbeing

LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER

Teddies has a reputation for being a very friendly school and we know you’ll settle in really quickly. There are lots of people who will look out for you and help you. On arrival, older pupils within your House will be your mentors – they are really approachable and can tell you anything you need to know. If you feel worried about something, there are lots of people to talk to. From your HM, Tutor and Matron, to Upper Sixth peer listeners, and to our big pastoral team, including Nurses, a school Psychologist, our Counsellor and the Chaplaincy team, everyone is here to help, even if you just need a chat. Lots of people have worries from time to time and at Teddies everyone looks out for each other, so help other people if you can see they need it.

CHAPEL

Chapel is where we come together to sing, pray, and think hard about the deepest values we hold and our common humanity. 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. The Chaplain can help

pupils from other faiths find a place to worship.

DAY PUPILS

As a day pupil you are as much part of your House as the boarders. You will share a room with two or three other Shells and have your own area in it for your things and for relaxing in. You can bring posters to add to the room if you want to. You are always welcome to come in for breakfast in the Dining Hall from 7.15am to eat with your House. As a day pupil you can go home at 6.30pm unless you have school commitments such as music or play rehearsals, but many day pupils stay until 9.00pm to do prep, get involved with activities, and spend time with friends. Staying later can be really sociable, with lots of activities going on. It also helps you get to know people. But even if you don’t stay late, you’ll soon get to know everyone.

WEEKENDS AT TEDDIES

On the first weekend in September, which all Shell boarders are encouraged to stay for and day pupils come in for, there are lots of ice breaker activities which really help you to get to know people, both in your House and in other Houses. After that, there’s always lots going on at Teddies at the weekend and the atmosphere is relaxed and feels homely. There are lots of social events and societies and day pupils can come too. Boarders can also go home on Saturday afternoons, after any school commitments such as sports or rehearsals. It’s your choice! If you stay you can enjoy some great events on Saturday nights - it might be a cinema night or trampolining, or seeing big music and drama headline acts in The North Wall or Olivier, or relaxing in our Willows café with friends. House BBQs are always popular on a summer evening! On Sundays you might go canoeing or clay pigeon shooting or into Oxford. You can also meet family for lunch, there are so many

great places to eat that you will be spoilt for choice!

GETTING OUT OF YOUR SHELL!

There is a whole programme of activities and events aimed at

helping Shells to settle in and get to know each other and the School. It's fun and a great way to meet people.

You will be able to try out new interests in sport, the arts and clubs, and you will pick up new skills from rowing to touch typing. In the Spring and Summer Terms, you will prepare for the Shell trip, which is after your exams in June. You will learn about map reading, menu planning, how to use a compass and how to put up a tent. On the trip you might have a go at caving, high ropes and mountain biking.

SUMMERTOWN

Summertown is a perfect place to go with friends and Shells are allowed to go there after the first few weeks. 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, M&S, Costa and lots of great local shops. All of these are a few minutes’ walk from the school grounds and you can go at specific times, as long as you are with a friend.

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, Nandos and Pizza Express. There are also really useful shops like Boots, WH Smith, the famous Blackwell’s bookshop – and the Westgate Centre can cater to any culinary or retail preference you may have, and it can be really sociable too. 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!

MAKING THE MOST OF TEDDIES

Here are some bits of advice that our current Shells wanted to share with you: ‘At Teddies 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.’

‘Immerse yourself!’

‘Don’t be put off if you are a complete beginner - most people are.’

‘If you find things a bit stressful, there are so many people to talk to, other pupils and staff - just don’t keep it to yourself, we’re

‘Remember your teachers are there to help – ask any of them if you need it.’

all there for each other!’

‘Your life will be much easier if you can keep on top of prep and not let a backlog build up.’

STUFF TO BRING

Just some of the items you need to bring to St Edward’s whether you’re boarding or a day pupil: • Home clothes for after school and to change into after games - make sure all clothes are named! • Posters or pictures to make your room your own. • Wash bag (toothbrush, shower gel etc.) and towel. • Boarders need a single duvet, two covers and two pillowcases (a pillow is provided). • If you are boarding, an alarm clock and bank card - you will not always have your phone. • You don’t need to bring a laptop or tablet as these are provided by the School.

FOOD

At St Edward’s, there is always food around - there is never a shortage! You eat breakfast, lunch and supper in the Dining Hall and there is always a big variety of food available. At break, there is fruit, toast, cereal, biscuits and other snacks in Houses. After lessons on Monday and Friday, you can go to tea in the Dining Hall where cakes, fruit and muffins are served. The rest of the week you can go back to House for tea. Although you are allowed to bring in snacks (but none containing nuts), there is no need! You are fed very well.

BEING PART OF THE COMMUNITY

When you first arrive, you may find everything a bit overwhelming. Here’s a quick introduction to how to make life easier. • Respect other people, their space and belongings. • Be polite to your teachers at all times. • Make an effort socially but remember to be yourself. • Look smart, only change into home clothes after all your school commitments are finished. Basically, if you are on time, try your best and treat others kindly, life will be great!

THE OXLEY LIBRARY

The vibrant Oxley Library is a great place to go. It is in the Christie Centre, our academic hub – where the classrooms are specially designed to help pupils work better together. In the Library, you can work on projects with friends, find a tranquil corner to relax in or get inspired about the world! ‘Reading and learning to research are vital to your academic and personal development. The Oxley Library is a place to come together and let your imagination turn into creativity, conversation and collaboration, you’ll also find comfy seating and beanbags for when you want to curl up with a good book! The Library Team are always around to offer guidance – from helping you to develop independent working skills to suggesting new reading ideas.’ Sarah Eldred , Head Librarian and Research Coordinator Have a look at the current reading lists: access-it.stedwardsoxford.org

PREP

Prep helps you to understand better the work you have already done in class and prepares you for the next lessons. There is a timetable to make sure that you get the right amount of prep each day. There’s always plenty of time to do your prep in the evening from 7.00pm so don’t worry about not being able to finish it as well as you would like to. To make it easier for yourself: • Always remember to take your prep diary to lessons. • Make sure you write down the prep carefully including when it is due. • Ask the people in your House for help if you are struggling with a piece of prep. • Always try your best!

CO- CURRICULAR

The range of activities at Teddies is absolutely extraordinary. There are opportunities in music, drama and dance, and societies and clubs available for almost any topic you can think of: chess, 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 Award might be for you, leading up to Gold in the Sixth Form. In the Fourth Form you can join the Army, Navy or RAF Section of the Cadets, or do Life Skills if you prefer. There are so many new things to discover, it’s best just to get stuck in.

ART AND DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

In the Shell, you will have lessons in both Design and Art. No previous artistic experience is required and you may well uncover some new talents! Shells work on a number of design projects, from jewellery through to industrial design. You will design your own products and make them, learning new skills and working with others so that you are ready to take on the bespoke entrepreneurial courses in the Fourth Form. For Art, the year is split into two 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 will explore techniques such as etching, painting, drawing, lino printing and inks. Exhibitions of pupils’ work are displayed in the Art, Design and Technology building and in the cultural hub of The North Wall Gallery. Many pupils choose to spend time working on projects

outside lesson times, enjoying the relaxation of focusing on their creative work.

DANCE

Dance at School is a great and popular activity for all pupils 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 breakdance at the other end of the scale. In between these two extremes you can take part in contemporary, modern jazz, tap, street jazz, Latin American, freestyle, acro or cheerleading classes - whichever you prefer. Every term there is a phenomenal dance show. Everyone loves to get involved - whether it’s dancing on stage or supporting your friends.

DRAMA

If you're keen on theatre and drama, there is so much to do at Teddies. We have a Shell drama festival in the autumn when you'll work with older pupils in your House to create and perform a play to the rest of the year and to your parents. It's a great way to get to know people in your House and even if you've never been on stage before, you'll really enjoy it! In the summer you can take part in a promenade play during our Arts week. All pupils can also audition for School plays throughout the year or be involved backstage - with design, stage management, lighting and sound. We're really lucky to have The North Wall. It is a public arts centre within the School used for our performances but also where you can see professional theatre, dance, art exhibitions, music and comedy. Come and get involved!

MUSIC

Music is a big part of life at Teddies and the department is home to all musicians - from beginners taking their first lessons to Music Scholars taking grade 8 and beyond. Most Shells start off having some sort of individual music lessons. We also have music tech available and the incredible Fenton Recording Studio to take these lessons in. You can join choirs such as Chapel Choir or Shell Choir and, depending on your standard on your instrument, you will be recruited to Big Band, Concert Band or Orchestra. The Ogston Music School is amazing! It's open for practice until 9pm, has storage lockers and instruments to borrow if you want to try something new!

SPORTS

Pupils at Teddies choose which sports to do each term from two groups – A and B. Over the year, you choose a Group A sport in two terms and have the option to choose one from Group B in another term. The choices vary each term, but Group A includes rugby, touch rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, rowing and athletics. Group B includes football, tennis, badminton, squash and sailing. You will see all the sports available each term and choose which you want to do before the start of term. Some of our sports may be new to you but don’t be afraid to have a go! This is a great time to try new sports as well as developing skills in sports you know well.

As well as timetabled

sport many pupils go to the sports fields after lessons to meet friends and play sport together.

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 Teddies. While inside the Nuffield Gym, you have to wear clothing that identifies you as part of Teddies.

“On my first day of school, my mother told me to do my best and to be nice to the other children. It remains sound advice.” ALASTAIR CHIRNSIDE, WARDEN 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 on Teddies TV via the website stedwardsoxford.org WELCOME SHELL GUIDE 2024

St Edward’s School Woodstock Road Oxford OX2 7NN stedwardsoxford.org t: +44 (0)1865 319200 registrar@stedwardsoxford.org