Welcome to Carr, 2020-21 WWW.EPSOMCOLLEGE.ORG.UK/CARR Contents Welcome and who’s who ......................... 4 Life in your House................................. 6 Your room ......................................... 10 Visitors to your House ........................... 13 Food and drink .................................... 14 Daily life at Epsom ............................... 16 Being away from Epsom ......................... 26 Medical information ............................. 28 Your safety and security ......................... 30 Uniform and appearance ........................ 34 Academic information and support ........... 38 What we expect of you .......................... 43 Term dates ......................................... 44 Contact details .................................... 46 College map ....................................... 48 House colours ..................................... 50 CARR HOUSE | 02 03 | CARR HOUSE Welcome and who’s who WELCOME TO CARR HOUSE I am sure you will be feeling excited LAWRENCE MATTHEWS, about joining us, and possibly a little YOUR HOUSEMASTER nervous too. Please don’t worry. It is entirely normal to feel some nerves, My name’s Lawrence Matthews, and I’m and to have all manner of questions. Housemaster of Carr House. I have been with the College since 2005 and been Housemaster We’ve seen hundreds of boys join us of Carr House since 2013. over the years. They may start a little nervously, but in no time each settles into I teach Chemistry and have run Athletics as well life here, contributes a great deal to our as the Royal Navy section of the CCF during my community, and ultimately leaves Epsom time at Epsom. College confident and assured. I am a keen sportsman and still play football, This Handbook has been written to help as time allows, on top of coaching Rugby, answer any questions you may have, and to Athletics and the 1st XI Football team. As I introduce you to life in your new House. expect of all the boys in Carr, I am keen to embrace the full life of the College, joining Every pupil joining Epsom is given a in the staff band, playing at extravaganzas and House. This is not just a building, but a directing House plays. place that you can call your own, where you will be part of a community of friends, I am married to Samantha who works at fellow pupils and staff. Downsend Epsom Pre-prep and we have two sons, Jack and Ben. I am also Chairman of The Carr community is built on friendship, Governors at Wallace Fields Infant School at loyalty and mutual respect and trust. I, and which our sons attend. every member of our community, look forward to welcoming you this September. NIKI NAVAMANI, HOUSE MATRON Our Matron, Niki Navamani is the glue that holds Carr House together. She is present in the House throughout the day and is there to support the general wellbeing of the boys. She helps with their pastoral and healthcare needs and is always available with a listening ear. She runs a team of dedicated staff, all of whom help in caring for the boys, together with the cleaning and keeping the House in good decorative order. When Niki has a day off, her duties are covered by the Relief Matron. CARR HOUSE |04 05 | CARR HOUSE Life in your House CARR HOUSE Carr is a boys’ day House, situated on the Newsome building in 1966. Following a first floor of the main School building. So it major refurbishment in 2013, Carr can truly be said that Carr is at the heart of is now situated on the first floor of the the College. main building. Originally opened in 1883, Carr was named Carr is home to some 80 boys living under after Dr William Carr, one of the College’s the motto Pro Christo et Patria Dulce Periculum original supporters and benefactors. (For Christ and country, danger is sweet). The House was originally situated behind Big School, however moved to be part of the YOUR GUIDE TO THE HOUSE Carr House has a large entrance hall where Opposite the kitchen is the Roll room major colours winners and Honours Boards where the boys gather for registration and are displayed. announcements twice a day. The space also doubles up as a social area with pool Following up the stairs you come to the table, table football decorated with pictures main corridor, where you will find the presented by GCSE and A-level artists, as Housemaster’s Office, and a breakout well as mounts of pictures from the various room, that feels very much like a café. House plays Carr has performed in the past This space is regularly used by pupils few years. studying in small groups. As you proceed along the corridor, you pass The breakout room has tea-making facilities, the trophy cabinet, always full, and reach computer desks and small groups of tables Matron’s office and the big breakout room. and chairs. As you would expect, this is similar to the first social space, but has more facilities, Moving along the corridor, you come to including a water cooler, and a light airy feel. the main kitchen. This is where, on a Friday Boys can study here, and enjoy the relaxed, morning when the House has performed positive atmosphere. well, we hold breakfasts with House tutors. CARR HOUSE |06 07 | CARR HOUSE Life in your House HOUSE ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITIONS House activities and competitions help year You could be taking part in rugby, hockey, groups to work together to build teamwork, netball or cross-country, performing in develop friendships and to have fun. one of the legendary House Soirées, or displaying your musical prowess in choral or Each year, pupils compete in all manner of instrumental competitions. activities and competitions, both within their House and against other Houses. As with all activities at Epsom, you are encouraged to get involved, try new things There are many opportunities to be involved out and enter into the spirit of good-natured in House competitions, which may be of a competition. The support and participation of sporting, musical, or dramatic nature. all pupils is encouraged to promote a sense of pride and community within your House. CARR HOUSE |08 09 | CARR HOUSE Your room YOUR ROOM Each pupil has a room in their House. Day pupils are given a dayroom that is shared with other pupils. One of the main reasons for running a House system is to allow pupils to get to know one another quickly. Therefore, your Housemaster will allocate rooms and decide who you share with. There may be times when you fall out, or have disagreements, with your roommate. This is normal, and we would encourage you to try to sort out any niggles with each other. On the rare occasions when it hasn’t been possible to see eye-to-eye, speak to a Prefect, the Head of House, or your Housemaster. DECORATING YOUR ROOM Your room is yours, and we encourage you to make it feel personal to you by putting up posters and photos. We just ask that the posters are tasteful, and you use the pinboards provided. Please do not decorate doors or furniture. LOOKING AFTER YOUR PROPERTY It’s important that you keep your own property safe and secure, and respect other people’s possessions. Your House will either have safes or lockers. If yours has lockers you will need to secure them with padlocks – which you can purchase from the College Shop. CARR HOUSE |10 11 | CARR HOUSE Visitors to your House VISITORS TO YOUR HOUSE Your House is your space, and only for you and other members of your House. This helps to develop a sense of trust and friendship among housemates, and is an important part of Epsom’s House system. This means that under normal circumstances visitors from other Houses are not allowed. The only exception is that boy Prefects are allowed in other boys’ houses, and girl Prefects are allowed in other girls’ houses, so long as they are conducting School business. Any time you wish to visit a House other than your own you must get permission from your own Housemaster and the Housemaster/ mistress of the House you wish to visit. CARR HOUSE |12 13 | CARR HOUSE Food and drink BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND SUPPER USING FRIDGES Lunch is provided for day pupils. Supper is You can store food in the Brew Room fridges, offered for any day pupils taking part in the but please put your name on any items you cultural hour. Lunch and supper are taken in leave. Otherwise others may mistake your the Dining Hall. food as their own. BREAK AND AFTERNOON TEA It’s worth bearing in mind that you will be Tea and snacks are provided in your House at sharing the fridge with others in your House, morning and afternoon break. Team teas are so please don’t take up too much room. available after fixtures. Also, please don’t place any items BREW ROOMS containing nuts in the fridge. Some pupils at Epsom have severe nut allergies. If you All Houses have Brew Rooms, which are have food containing nuts please store them mini kitchens with toasters, fridges and in somewhere safe. some cases a microwave, cooker and blender. The School does not provide peanut As you will be sharing these rooms with butter, and you are asked not to bring it others in your House, it’s important to into the House. keep them clean and tidy. This simply means cleaning and washing up after yourself and ORDERING TAKEAWAY returning any used plates or cutlery once you’ve finished. Your Housemaster may allow you to order food for special occasions, such as birthdays, Brew Rooms are out of bounds during lesson if enough notice has been given. time and prep.