Evenings & Weekends

Boarders are given a choice of several activities each evening varying from swimming, tennis, dodgeball and football, arts and crafts, time with the pets of the boarding house, an evening in the woods, or just some R&R time with friends. We want our boarding house to run as if it was our boarders home, so although these activities are very popular, if our boarders would like a rest of some time to chill, we understand the weeks can be very busy, and so will of course accommodate this into the evening.

All activities take place as a whole boarding house, with all boarders and a mixture of Residential Staff taking part. We utilise all areas of the school, including extensive Sports facilities, 9-acre Forest School, Classroom and Library space, as well as areas within the boarding house such as Common Rooms and Boarders Kitchen.

Bedtime Bar: After the evening’s activities, the boarders gather at ‘Bedtime Bar’ for a delicious, healthy snack. This is a vital part of our evening - not just for fueling up and filling tummys! but as a dedicated moment for our Residential Matron to check in on every child’s medical and welfare needs. It’s provides a relaxed and informal time for boarders to share highlights from their school day in a low-pressure setting.

Heading Upstairs to the Landings: The children head upstairs to prepare for the next day. We encourage independence through a simple routine of showering, packing bags for the next day, and tidying dormitories. Our laundry team ensures fresh clothes are ready to be put away daily, leaving the children with plenty of free time once their evening tasks are complete.

Time for Connection and Relaxation: Whether it’s a competitive game of UNO with Houseparents, a shared board game with friends, or simply curling up with a good book, the atmosphere is cosy and calm. It’s during these moments - reading stories or chatting through the next day’s timetable - that the strongest bonds of the boarding family are formed.

Finishing with Quiet Time: The final 15 minutes before lights-out are dedicated to 'Quiet Time'. In this peaceful window, boarders can read, draw, enjoy a comic, or listen to an audio-book. This consistent routine helps them decompress and drift off feeling safe, happy, and relaxed.

It Starts with A Full English Breakfast!: Saturday mornings are greeted with a well-deserved lie-in, allowing our boarders to recharge after a busy school week. This is followed by a classic English Breakfast—a favorite weekly tradition that brings everyone together in the dining hall. Afterward, children take pride in their environment by completing "weekend resets," which include tidying their dorms and organizing their laundry, ensuring a fresh and organized space for the days ahead.

Our Saturday Enrichment Programme: As the morning progresses, our Year 5 to 8 boarders join the wider school community for our extensive Saturday Enrichment Programme. These sessions offer a vibrant rotating menu of options—from advanced creative arts and coding to outdoor leadership - while our younger boarders enjoy dedicated sports training sessions.

In the afternoon: The focus shifts to our competitive and social sports program. While the older children take to the fields for fixtures and training, there is also built-in "flex-time." This allows pupils to find their own balance: catching up on Prep (homework) in a quiet environment, visiting St. Bede's, or simply unwinding with friends in the Boarding Common Room.

Saturday Night Movie Night: Saturday evenings are the social highlight of the week, reserved for our much-loved Movie Night! The entire boarding community gathers to enjoy a latest release or a timeless family favorite. With plenty of popcorn and crisps, it is the perfect way to foster a sense of belonging and relaxation, ending the week on a high note before the Sunday "slow-down."

A Slower Start: Sundays at All Hallows begin with a slower, more relaxed pace. We provide the opportunity for our Catholic Boarders to attend a local Mass, while other pupils enjoy a leisurely morning on-site. This is a favorite time for children to engage in friendly games, practice their favorite sports, or simply enjoy some well-earned relaxation with their friends.

Trips and Activities (An Example Termly Timetable can be found below): Sunday is arguably the highlight of our boarding week! Every Sunday features a bespoke community trip or a high-energy activity. What makes these days truly special is that they are co-designed with our Boarders; we listen to their suggestions and tailor every outing to match their specific ages, interests, and passions.

Celebrating Success: Once back at All Hallows, we share a hearty Sunday dinner followed by our weekly Boarding House Meeting. This is a wonderful forum for student voice, where we discuss the highlights of the week and brainstorm ideas for the future. It’s also a time of celebration as we announce our ‘Boarder of the Week’ and present Boarding Awards - honors that are uniquely chosen by both staff and the pupils themselves.

Dialing Home: As the weekend draws to a close, we move into a calm evening routine. After a quick bit of housekeeping to prepare for the week ahead, the house becomes a hub of connection as children settle down for their weekly telephone calls home - a vital and cherished time to catch up with parents, siblings, and friends.

Device Use at All Hallows: Personal devices are taken in and safely stored by staff in between usage to avoid distraction and to encourage interaction and engagement with friends.

Mobile devices are not allowed during the school day unless there is a need to communicate with family in a different time zone, in which case, this is a scheduled call in a supervised location.

Contacting Home: Boarders are allowed their electronic devices several times a week for short periods of 'wi-fi time' and a little more on weekends.

They can use these to contact their families and to access the internet which is of course strictly controlled and monitored via our school filtering systems.

Letter Writing: Of course, letter writing to Family and Friends is always encouraged! There is also so much joy in recieve letters, and so we love to receive post too!